The Rebirth of a Woman: Hasine's Story

Hasine lived a simple life, marrying right after high school and becoming a mother to a son. In 2013, conflict broke out in her hometown in Syria, forcing her and her family to seek refuge in Türkiye.

At first, they found shelter in a temporary settlement, enduring uncertainty and fear. But after a few weeks, hearing that the situation in their hometown had improved, they decided to return.

Their hope was short-lived. Violence escalated, severely affecting the the economy, access to healthcare, education and basic services. The land, once fertile and full of life, lay in ruins. Hasine’s husband, a farmer in an agriculture hotspot, could no longer work due to the conflict. With their safety at risk and no way to make a living, Hasine’s family was again forced to flee, returning to Türkiye in 2017 in search of a new beginning.

Settling in Türkiye brought new challenges – including cultural adjustments, language barriers, and finding work. They rented a small house in Şanlıurfa Province, where Hasine found comfort in the familiar religious customs of the local community.Her husband, struggling with psychological issues, could no longer support the family, leaving Hasine to provide for the family. After searching tirelessly, she found a job as a sales assistant in a store. Meanwhile, their now teenage son moved to Istanbul, dropping out of school to find better employment opportunities.

In 2017, Hasine sought help for her husband's mental health from the Şanlıurfa Municipal Migrant and Community Center (MMCC), run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the municipality.

Unfortunately, her husband's mental state deteriorated, and he grew abusive, while she lost her job. "Everything around me was shattered," Hasine recalls. "I was emotionally broken, worn out."

At her lowest point, Hasine received a call from Ceylan, her counsellor at the MMCC, which became a turning point. Opening up to Ceylan helped her realize she needed to reclaim her life.

Hasine gathered her belongings and found a place at a women’s shelter through the help of local authorities. Initially fearing the unknown, she soon found her new environment supportive and caring. She received further psychosocial and legal assistance, and her fellow shelter residents grew fond of her, offering her the emotional support she desperately needed.

Determined to rebuild her life, Hasine consulted Ceylan about finding a new job and overcoming the language barrier. She enrolled in a free Turkish language course but was worried that her age would be a hindrance. With encouragement from her teachers, she made significant progress.

"When I started the course, my counsellor Ceylan gifted me a Turkish book. It was such a valuable gift, and I still cherish it," Hasine says.

As Hasine's Turkish improved, so did her confidence. She eventually landed a part-time job at a hair salon while continuing her language classes. After seven months at the women’s shelter, Hasine felt ready to move out and live independently. With help from the MMCC, she found a new home and received support from IOM for six months to cover the rent.

Eager to further her career in hairdressing, she discussed her ambitions with Ceylan, who connected her to an advanced training course in Istanbul. In June 2020, she moved to Istanbul to live with her son while pursuing her professional education, remaining in touch with MMCC and sharing her progress.

One of Hasine’s biggest dreams was to complete her university education, a goal she thought impossible in her youth. Overcoming numerous hardships, her self-belief grew stronger. She took the university entrance exams, passed and is now in her second year in a sociology programme. Today, Hasine still works closely with her counsellor Ceylan, who continues to guide her as she plans her future and explores potential career opportunities after graduation.

Reflecting on her journey, Hasine says: “Birth happens naturally for everyone. But in my life, I was born twice. Once biologically, like everyone else, and the second time was the day I met you,” she says to Ceylan, expressing her gratitude.

“Hasine’s story stands as an inspiring example of how courage, determination, and receiving the right support can transform a woman’s life,” remarks Ceylan.

Despite the war, displacement, and personal suffering, Hasine found strength in herself and from those who believed in her. In the future, she wishes to channel this strength back onto others.

“After graduating from university, my dream is to work in child welfare institutions, to support children who have been separated from their families, to share their sufferings and problems and to touch their lives.”

IOM currently runs four Municipal and Migrant Community Centres nationwide, in partnership with municipalities and with funding from the United States Government. The centres provide needed assistance to migrants, refugees and local communities and connect them to services, including for education, protection and legal counselling, psychosocial support, skills and language training, and social services.

Written by Anıl Bahşi, IOM Türkiye Communications Specialist