IHH Opens Orphan Educational Complex in Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM
COTABATO CITY (November 24, 2024) -– The Hatice-Cemil Atay Orphan Educational Complex in Barangay Kayaga, Pandag, was formally inaugurated on Friday, November 22, 2024, led by Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” B. Ebrahim, and Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol.
In his address, Chief Minister Ebrahim highlighted the vital role of education for the Bangsamoro youth and reaffirmed the BARMM government’s commitment to supporting programs that benefit orphans.
“I am honored to have witnessed the grand opening of an orphan education complex here in Barangay Kayaga, Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur. On behalf of a grateful people, I express our profound gratitude and my heartfelt congratulations to IHH Insani Vakfi on this another important milestone,” Chief Minister Ebrahim said.
The BARMM Chief Minister Ebrahim acknowledged and commended the tireless efforts of everyone involved in the project, from the government of the Republic of Turkiye to the planners and builders, to the donors and volunteers.
“Your dedication and hard work have created a facility where knowledge, values, and skills will be imparted, ensuring that orphaned children are also given the opportunity to develop and thrive,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Akyol praised the enduring friendship between Turkey and the Bangsamoro, underscoring the significance of humanitarian initiatives such as the orphan complex project.
The construction of the Hatice-Cemil Atay Orphan Educational Complex was skillfully managed by Sheikh Omer Kesmen of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. This Turkish organization has dedicated over a decade to supporting the Bangsamoro community.
The orphan complex is intended to serve as a beacon of hope for orphans in the region, providing them with essential educational resources and a nurturing environment. Through this initiative, IHH aims to uplift the lives of vulnerable children, fostering their growth and development in a supportive setting. The project reflects a deep commitment to humanitarian values and the importance of investing in the future of the Bangsamoro youth.
Hüseyin Oruç, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IHH, traveled from Turkey to attend the inauguration ceremony and express his gratitude to the family of the late Wali of Bangsamoro, Sheikh Khalifa U. Nando. He acknowledged their generous donation of the land on which the Hatice-Cemil Atay Orphan Educational Complex was built, emphasizing the importance of their contribution to this significant humanitarian initiative.
This initiative is particularly significant for the Bangsamoro people, especially for those who were forcibly uprooted from their homes due to armed conflicts between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government in 2000, 2003, and until 2008, which resulted in loss of lives and an increase in orphans in the Bangsamoro region. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/BansamoroToday)
