Lokman Ayva: “We Will Recognize Differences Thanks to Beyazay Clubs”

Beyazay Clubs are being introduced to students as one of the eight core clubs established in schools in line with the Ministry of National Education’s "Century of Türkiye Education Model." The establishment of Beyazay Clubs in schools aims to foster the recognition of differences, enable students with and without disabilities to engage in activities together, and raise social awareness. Lokman Ayva, the President of Beyazay, explained the significance of these clubs as follows:

"Beyazay Clubs address the question: Are differences a disadvantage or a source of richness? Starting this year, our schools will feature a brand-new club: the Beyazay Club. We already have the Red Crescent (Kızılay) and the Green Crescent (Yeşilay); one might wonder, 'What exactly is Beyazay?' Beyazay Clubs offer such a wonderful opportunity for our children and our people—words cannot fully describe it. Yet, despite saying I cannot describe it, I will try.

Let me give you some examples: If you know that the person across from you is Spanish, you speak Spanish to them, don't you? Or, if you have visited the Philippines and know that the locals eat rice with every meal—and do not have cheese or olives for breakfast—and if you are familiar with the Filipino people, you won't find it strange; you will accept it as normal. There are people in the world who are blind, deaf, unable to speak, or unable to use their legs. If you are knowledgeable about people with these characteristics and have spent time with them, you will not be surprised or find it odd when they do things differently than you do."

If you ask, "What does all this have to do with the club?" the answer is this: thanks to Beyazay clubs, our friends with disabilities—who add color to our world—will face less hurt and fewer barriers, and will receive greater respect. Because people with and without disabilities will get to know each other better, there will be fewer communication mishaps. Thanks to Beyazay clubs, individuals with disabilities will no longer have to endure being belittled, excluded, or denied opportunities. From now on, they will be neither demeaned nor sensationalized; they will simply be accepted as ordinary members of society.

Thanks to Beyazay clubs, those without disabilities will also gain a true understanding of people with disabilities, thereby avoiding the distress caused by communication blunders and the pain of inadvertently upsetting their friends with disabilities. In essence, people with and without disabilities will work together, acknowledge their differences, practice tolerance and patience, and engage in mutual aid and solidarity. In short, our schools will now have Beyazay clubs. We will experience days where we feel a much greater sense of social harmony together.

Beyazay President

Lokman AYVA