How the daughter of a Meridian graduate in Turkey was inspired
by Common Purpose to make a wish come true
Common Purpose courses not only develop the people who take part
in them as leaders, but often have a positive impact on their
community, families and friends.
Having taken part in the course, a group of Common Purpose
Meridian alumni in Turkey decided to make the wish of a 16 year old
girl who has leukaemia come true through the Make a Wish Foundation. The girl
wanted to be Cinderella, so the group organised a big ball for her
(with all the details of Cinderella taken care of!) in one of the
Palaces in Istanbul.
Begumsu, the 10-year old daughter of one of the graduates leading
the group (Gulbin Baltacioglu), saw what her mother had done to
make this wish come true and was so touched that she wanted to do
something herself. Gulbin put her daughter in touch with the Make a
Wish Foundation, who told her about a terminally sick child's wish
- to have a big Barbie house; so Begumsu did exactly what her
mother had done and led a campaign. She spoke to the principal,
teachers and her classmates at her school - FMV Erenkoy Isik
Primary School - to build support. They made cookies, brought in
their toys and books, and sold them for a week in the school
cafeteria. At the end of the week her class had managed to collect
£600 Sterling and were able to buy the Barbie house (and many more
things besides!).
Now that this class has lit the candle, other classes and their
parents want to run similar social campaigns at the school.
