ANKARA
A group of Turkish students completed renovation of an elementary school and its radio station in Uganda, as part of a visit under an exchange program.
The 2017 Africa Experience Sharing Program provides an opportunity to 200 students to visit several African countries, including Tunisia, Libya, Somalia, Kenya, Algeria, Chad, Sudan, Ghana and Niger from Aug. 5 to 30.
The program is organized by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in cooperation with Turkish Airlines, Anadolu Agency and state broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television (TRT).
The students participate in social, cultural and humanitarian activities and renovate schools, orphanages, libraries and places of worship as predetermined by TIKA and local NGOs in the visiting countries.
They also take part in the implementation of local developmental projects.
As part of the program, 11 volunteer students from different universities in Turkey made a 13-hour long road trip from Uganda’s capital Kampala to the northern Yumbe district, 600 kilometers (372 miles) from the capital.
The students renovated together with local people the Yumbe Elementary School and its radio building. They also distributed stationery, toothbrushes, balloons and toys to the students, provided by TIKA.
The Mufti of Yumbe, Sheikh Alhayi Shuayib Swaibu Ajiga, visited the students and thanked Turkey for the project, saying it would strengthen the 'bonds of brotherhood' between the two countries.
Students visit radio station
Ismail Kiberu, a student at the Yumbe elementary school, said he was pleased to be with the volunteering students who came a long way under extreme conditions to visit Yumbe district.
TIKA’s Assistant Expert Onur Yasar, who accompanied the students, informed the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Member Ratib Abdullah Saidi, Ajiga and other local officials about the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and the July 15 defeated coup bid.
The students returned to Kampala after finishing the renovation work. They visited the radio station Bilal FM, which was equipped by TIKA. A sewing course at the Uganda Islamic University was also launched by TIKA in 2016.
Speaking at the radio channel’s program, Yasar highlighted TIKA's works in the country and thanked the people of Uganda for supporting Turkey during the July 15 defeated coup bid in 2016.
After completing their 10-day in Uganda, the students returned to Turkey on August 23.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and some 2,200 injured.
They are accused of infiltrating educational and other institutions both in Turkey and worldwide for nefarious means, including subverting the state.
