Easton brothers visited ‘do not travel’ zone in Turkey to help orphans after earthquake.
This past summer, Easton Area High School seniors Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz hiked through heat so intense remnants of the road were melting onto their shoes.
Though the journey was difficult, they had one goal in mind: to help orphaned children and families. Families in Kilis, Turkey, needed aid after earthquakes devastated their homes.
The twin brothers are co-founders of E&H Hopeful Hearts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing aid to children orphaned by the earthquakes that have struck Turkey.
Haktan said his dad grew up in Kilis where the boys extended their efforts.
“He lost his dad at a young age,” he said. “So we just wanted to help out the orphans there.”
He immigrated to the United States in 2000. Haktan and Enes were born and raised in Somerset County, New Jersey, and they moved to Easton two years ago.
Before starting the organization, the brothers raised money through a car detailing business, donating the funds to children in Turkey.
Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz (middle, red vests), two Easton Area High School seniors, visited Turkey to help children orphaned by earthquakes.Courtesy Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz
They launched E&H Hopeful Hearts last year. Haktan said they raised $2,250 through a GoFundMe campaign, raffles, car washes, and email marketing.
After months of planning, Haktan, Enes and their parents, traveled to Kilis last summer. It was the first time they had visited in 10 years.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Turkey has a level 2 travel advisory where travelers should exercise increased caution. Areas within six miles of the Syrian border, such as Kilis, are a designated “do not travel zone” due to terrorism.
Turkey is a region prone to earthquakes because it sits on several tectonic plates. Two earthquakes that hit in February 2023 were between a 7.5 to 7.8 magnitude.
Despite the risks associated with traveling to this region, Haktan and Enes were committed to their cause.
A photo of earthquake damage from Kilis, Turkey.Courtesy of Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz
Upon arrival, the Ozyildiz brothers partnered with the local organization Turkish Kizilay, also known as the Turkish Red Crescent. The brothers led a team of 15 volunteers, which included a mix of local volunteers and some of their father’s friends and family members who had come to support the mission.
In Turkey, they purchased clothes, shoes and food. Then they gathered a list of names and addresses of donation recipients from the Kizilay.
With two Kizilay volunteers and their 15 volunteers, the brothers donated to about 103 children who had been orphaned by the disaster. The distribution process was physically demanding, Enes said, as they navigated the intense heat and earthquake damage.
A van of supplies were donated to children and families in Kilis, Turkey, including food and clothes.Courtesy of Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz
The supplies, which included food rations to last a week, were heavy to carry, Enes said. In some areas, their trucks couldn’t reach the families, so they were forced to walk long distances.
“It was so hot, the tar on the road was just melting, and it was getting all over my shoes,” Enes said.
He said he and Haktan had to change shoes several times.
During their visit, they dedicated a day to distributing food to stray animals.
Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz helped stray animals while in Turkey donating to orphaned children.Courtesy of Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz
In addition to the 103 children, the brothers noticed children who were not on their aid list but were watching the deliveries from a distance.
“We decided to prepare a box of just chocolate and milk to give out to those kids,” Enes said.
The families receiving aid were overwhelmingly appreciative, Haktan said, especially because most of the families lost one or both parents.
“It makes us grateful for what we have here,” Enes said.
The brothers’ nonprofit work is not finished. With winter approaching, they are raising funds for jackets, blankets and scarves to donate to over 100 children.
They plan to continue their efforts next summer, hoping to return to Turkey to aid other affected regions. They are also considering visiting Syria to help the children there.
A photo of earthquake damage from Kilis, Turkey.Courtesy of Haktan and Enes Ozyildiz
This isn’t the only time Haktan and Enes have given back to the community. They founded another organization called Red Poppies for Veterans, which raises funds and awareness for veterans’ needs. They join similar clubs at school and enjoy getting involved.
They are both Easton Area High School seniors and each wishes to attend a four-year college after graduation. Haktan plans to study business and finance, and Enes wants to pursue biology and computer science.
Both plan to continue E&H Hopeful Hearts after high school.
“We want to continue the nonprofit [through college] and even establish a 501(c)3, and maybe, whichever colleges we go to, even create a similar organization there,” Haktan said.
The brothers thoroughly enjoy their charity work, and encourage other young people to pursue similar causes. Haktan encourages other young people to help a cause that affects them deeply.
“If anyone feels like something isn’t right, they should take action and go with it,” Enes said.
Chelsea Kun can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley.
