SAFA: A specialized hospice by RGW for terminally ill refugee children in Turkiye
SAFA — Safe Abode for Angels — is an ongoing RGW project aimed at creating a nurturing environment for terminally ill refugee children in Turkiye. It will provide personalized care, solace, and glimpses of happiness to the children under its wings.
Turkiye has implemented programs to assist refugee patients by issuing special medical care permits. However, finding accommodations between hospital visits remains challenging for these individuals.
During their ongoing medical treatment, patients, especially children, face immense difficulties. They often have to travel long distances while severely ill and are allowed only one caregiver. This situation exacerbates the lack of personalized care, increases discomfort, and hinders their chances of recovery.
This is why RGW is launching SAFA, a specialized hospice for terminally ill refugee children undergoing treatment in Turkiye. RGW will provide a wide range of resources, including wheelchairs, patient beds, and transportation, tailored to meet the needs of ill children and their caregivers.
Unlike generic care facilities, SAFA will create an environment specifically designed for children, with therapeutic elements like books, toys, and even animal companions.
Moreover, this sanctuary will allow parents to stay with their children, fostering intimacy and support. RGW will also offer targeted mental health support programs to address the unique challenges faced by terminally ill children and their families during their stay at SAFA.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Red Studio Architects in Toronto, Canada, for graciously offering to provide all architectural design work pro bono for this initiative.
Stay tuned for updates on our groundbreaking ceremony and project progress.
The Story Behind SAFA:
A Tribute to Courage & Resilience
SAFA holds deep significance, named in loving memory of Safa, one of RGW’s very first beneficiaries—a refugee girl who courageously battled cancer.
Her journey, marked by both pain and resilience, continues to profoundly inspire us. The name "Safa," meaning "pure," embodies the innocence and dignity innate in every child we aspire to serve as they navigate similar tribulations.
Thanks to our generous donors, Safa spent her final days away from the horrors of war and the cruelty of chemical warfare. Her enduring smile, even in pain, reflected her inner strength. She found solace in simple pleasures like sunshine and the olives from our food packs, her favourite.
Our mission, propelled by Safa's memory, strives to cultivate a sanctuary of love and solace for every terminally ill refugee child, ensuring they encounter moments of joy and tranquillity amidst their trials.
May Safa and all the children whose lives were tragically shortened by wars find eternal peace. RGW remains committed to advocating for the well-being of surviving children, carrying their resilience and purity as a guiding light in our continued efforts.
Support the SAFA Project
$25+
One-Time or Monthly
Your donation will directly contribute to constructing a specialized hospice for terminally ill refugee children receiving medical treatment in Turkiye.