At Blossom Hill, we believe that truly uplifting children in crisis requires a comprehensive, holistic approach that addresses their multifaceted needs. In emergency situations, this approach is often lifesaving as it was for Mira and Ege who survived the earthquake in Turkey last year.

Mira, 4.5 years old, and her younger brother Ege are survivors of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked southeast Turkey near the Syrian border in February 2023. But they suffer from the trauma of the event, especially as Ege was trapped under the rubble. Mira developed a fear of death and separation anxiety from her mother. And when they moved into a container in a poor neighborhood, Ege began showing tendencies of anger, swearing and violence.

After attending our Blossom Hill’s trauma-informed art therapy sessions in Hatay, they began to develop positive behaviors. For children like Mira and Ege, the stability provided by art therapy sessions is crucial in offering a safe environment to explore and express emotions that may be difficult to articulate otherwise. For Mira, the program helps mitigate her separation anxiety and fear, fostering independence and confidence. For Ege, the sessions serve as a constructive outlet for his frustrations and aggression, teaching him self-regulation and social skills.