Uyghur native language course project for children from East Turkestan

Subject: Summer holiday Uyghur native language education program for Uyghur children from East Turkestan
Association Information:

1. Project Name:
“Let’s Learn Uyghur Together, Let Uyghur Not Fade Away!”

2. Organization Implementing the Project:
Hira Youth and Sports Association

3. School Hosting the Project:
Nahit menteşe mesleki ve teknik Anadolu lisesi

4. Project Duration:
Two months (June 24 – August 16, 2024)

5. The Purpose of the Project and the Current Situation of Uyghur Children Living Abroad
The Uyghur language teaching program conducted during this summer break aims to preserve the national culture and native language of Uyghur children residing in Turkey. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 Uyghurs live in Turkey, with the majority located in Istanbul. Over the past decade, the situation of Uyghurs in East Turkestan has significantly worsened, posing challenges for the Uyghur community in Turkey to return to their homeland. As a result, they are unable to engage in fundamental social activities such as connecting with each other and celebrating traditional holidays. Families have been separated, leaving many children orphaned. Despite attending public schools, these children face difficulties in maintaining their Uyghur language skills due to the linguistic similarity between Turkish and Uyghur, and the absence of widely spoken languages like English in their surroundings. Consequently, they experience a growing sense of societal alienation.
Uyghur language and culture constitute a vital part of Turkish culture, spanning thousands of years, and represent a heritage that must be transmitted to future generations. Guided by this awareness, this program endeavors to safeguard the cultural identities and language proficiency of Uyghur children in Turkey.

6. Students Participating in the Project
All students participating in the program are from East Turkestan, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old. The majority reside in the Küçükçekmece region of Istanbul. Additionally, there are Uyghur children living in Europe who have been brought by their parents to learn Uyghur language and culture during the summer holidays.

7. Lessons to Be Taught
In this summer holiday program, students are divided into four groups, with course types tailored to their respective levels.

8. Course types and levels
   1. Level: Students who do not know the alphabet are taught the 32-letter Uyghur alphabet, and detailed instruction is provided on both separate and combined reading techniques. During this phase, children not only learn to recognize letters but also gradually develop their ability to read books.
   2. Level: Students who recognize the alphabet but struggle with reading are repeatedly taught the Uyghur alphabet. Efforts are made to help them read 3-4 syllable words with ease. These books are completed within two months, alongside lessons on Uyghur culture.
   3. Level: Comprising students who can read but face challenges in writing, this level aims to enhance their skills in rapid reading and fluent writing.
   4. Level: Students at this level possess both reading and writing proficiency, with many having attended the course during the previous summer vacation. Language and culture lessons are conducted using textbooks on language and literature. Additionally, students gain comprehensive knowledge on topics such as Uyghur history, culture, and computer-based Uyghur writing.

9. Purpose of Implementing the Project
Uyghurs in Turkey regard these beautiful lands as their second home, yet they also yearn for their distant homeland with its natural beauty, mountains, and rivers. East Turkestan is the ancestral homeland of Turks, where numerous Turkish states were founded and left behind rich historical legacies. Figures like Mahmut Kaşgarlı and Yusuf Has Hacip made significant contributions to Turkish culture through their works in these lands. However, forgetting our past equates to forgetting ourselves. Children in East Turkestan lack the opportunity to learn their native language and culture due to pressures imposed by the Chinese administration.
For Uyghur children in Turkey, the summer holidays represent a crucial time to learn the Uyghur language and culture, ensuring they do not lose touch with their heritage.

10. Goals to Be Achieved as a Result of This Program
Currently, the majority of enrolled students are Uyghur children living in Turkey, with some also coming from Europe and other countries to teach their children the Uyghur language during summer holidays.
Our goal is to ensure that every student gains proficiency in reading and writing Uyghur through this program. Additionally, we aim to impart Uyghur cultural values and traditional games to all students.

11. Start and End Dates
The program will commence on July 1, 2024, and conclude on August 31, 2024.

12. Participating Teachers and Their Roles
   1. Teacher Nijat (Sports and Computer Skills)
   2. Teacher Patigul (Uyghur Language and Culture)
   3. Teacher Zülfinur (Uyghur Language and Culture)
   4. Teacher Arzugül (Uyghur Language and Culture)
   5. Teacher Rizvangul (Uyghur Language and Culture)

13. Travel Plan of the Program
To foster better acquaintance and strengthen friendships among all students participating in our summer holiday program, a one-day trip to Bilgirat Forest has been organized for students and their parents.

14. Graduation Ceremony
Upon successful completion of the curriculum, a graduation ceremony will be held for the students. A dedicated wedding hall will be arranged for this purpose.

15. Budget for This Project