The sun shone on another wonderful Kalkan day, Wednesday 13th May, as children, families and teachers came together for the Kalkan Rehabilitation Centre open day.  Mayor Saim Karakurt was also there to give his support and to give prizes to some of the children.

The centre provides much needed help to people (mostly children), who suffer from various kinds of mental impairment, or learning difficulties.  Its full name is the Özel Kalkan Özel Eğitim Rehabilitasyon Merkezi (the Special Kalkan, Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre).

The day enables members of the public to have a look round the centre and is also a fundraising event, as they sell things that the students have made.  Those who came along were treated to wonderful hospitality in the form of drinks and snacks. 

Some families had also cooked traditional dishes, which were shared out to those who wanted them.  It's the sort of hospitality that is typical of Turkish people - generous and given willingly.

We had dancing and poetry, plus a keenly contested game of musical chairs.  There was also a rather strange competition between a Turkish couple and an English couple, which involved speed wrapping your partner in toilet paper.  You had to be there to appreciate it.  (There is an idea for you when you are stuck for something to do on those long, dark winter nights).

After the fun and games it was time to buy the things that the children had made - fancy boxes, candle holders, gold and silver painted decorations, and lots more.  Money raised will be spent on the children at the centre.

As an outside observer it seemed like this was one big extended family getting together.  The families and friends of these children obviously gain something from getting together in this way - quite apart from the fundraising aspect of the day.  There was a warmth and community spirit in evidence, and it was an occasion where friendships were made.  A lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

Registered members of KTLN can see larger images, and extra pictures from the day, in our Photo Gallery, in the Kalkan album.