Since the establishment of the Association for Establishing and Supporting Nursing Homes, many individuals, institutions, and organizations have contributed to our association in various ways. However, we believe it is especially important to highlight the contributions of certain people.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Social Committee of the Istanbul Women's Solidarity Union, who worked selflessly during the medallion sales campaign for the purchase of the Istanbul Nursing Home building, to the members of the Society for Assistance to Darülaceze, to painter Melek - who permitted us to use her medallion sketch - and to other artists, as well as to the employees of the Ziraat Bank branches who participated in the campaign, the neighborhood headmen (muhtar) of Istanbul, and the Governor of Istanbul at the time, Mr. Niyazi Aki. Without their efforts and support, the establishment of our nursing home would not have been possible.
Establishing a nursing home is a challenging process. But perhaps even more difficult than founding it is sustaining it. Founding is a tangible process with a clear end and measurable results. In our experience, the establishment and opening of our nursing home took approximately 3 to 4 years. Those who contributed and worked toward this goal witnessed the fulfillment of their efforts at the home's inauguration and experienced the joy of creating something from nothing.
During the foundation phase, there were significant contributions from İffet Halim Oruz, Hasene Ilgaz, Zekeriya Salici, Ruhi Erman, and Ali Topuz. However, what followed was an even more demanding period for our Association. Perhaps foreseeing this, our founders named the association "The Association for Establishing and Supporting Nursing Homes", thus reflecting the two essential stages of this endeavor within the very name of the organization. Indeed, after the challenging process of establishing the home, ensuring the continuity of its services required even greater effort.
In the post-foundation period, the names of Iffet Halim Oruz, who served as Chair of the Board, and Zekeriya Salici, our Nursing Home Director, deserve particular mention - especially for their work during the difficult 1970s. During this period, founding members Ali Topuz and Rauf Gokcen also provided invaluable support.
One of the greatest financial contributors during those tough years was Prof. Dr. Ayşe Saffet Alpar, Turkey's first female university rector and daughter of Riza Pasha, a hero of Shkodër. While serving as the Rector of Karadeniz Technical University, she retired in 1974 and began construction on a nursing home in Merter, Istanbul, entirely with her own resources. She later donated the project to our Association.
Sadly, our esteemed Professor passed away on February 1, 1981, before the construction could be completed. In the years that followed, our Association made great efforts to complete the facility and bring it into service, but due to the economic crises of the 1980s, we were forced to transfer the building before it could be opened.
During the economically challenging 1980s and 1990s, the contributions of Adnan Celikoglu, who served as Chair, and Ruhi Erman, who had worked tirelessly since the Association's founding and also served as Chair during this time, are also worthy of recognition. Additionally, Zekeriya Salici, who continued to contribute as a member of the Board after retiring as Director of the Istanbul Nursing Home, deserves special mention for his continued efforts.
Today, we remember with gratitude and reverence all the founders, early leaders, and contributing members and staff of our Association - each of whom has now passed on.
