14.10.2025 20:34
The Avcı family, who appeared on Müge Anlı's show seven years ago, has once again come to the forefront of Turkey's agenda. The family, which lives in the Gaziemir district of İzmir and has two children, sought refuge in the forest after being evicted from their rented home and being unable to find a place to stay. The Avcı family made a plea for help, stating, "We want a place to stay, not for ourselves, but for our children."
Seven years ago, Aydoğan and Nazmiye Avcı, a couple who were guests on a television program due to being homeless and struggling to make ends meet, received a lot of help and even got married on the show. The couple, who continue their lives in İzmir's Gaziemir district with their two small children aged 4 and 7, were reportedly evicted from their home after some belongings belonging to the landlord went missing.
"THEY ARE LIVING IN THE WOODS" The Avcı couple, taking their children with them, began to stay in the wooded area across from their house. After becoming homeless again years later and struggling to survive on a mattress for days, the Avcı couple said, "We want a home not for ourselves, but for our children," and asked for help from authorities and philanthropists.
"TREATED LIKE THIEVES" Aydoğan Avcı, who goes to daily construction jobs, described his experiences, saying, "I am a working person. We were treated like thieves because two of my landlord's belongings went missing, and we were thrown out. I have been staying in the woods with my wife and children for 2-3 days. I am in a difficult situation right now. We have no one to support us, we have no one. I have a lot to say, but I can't speak; the words get stuck in my throat," he explained.
"I HAVEN'T SLEPT FOR 3 DAYS" Avcı stated that he hasn't slept all night to protect his children, saying, "There are wild boars, dogs, and jackals. I haven't slept for three days. I am keeping watch so my children won't be scared. My children are 7 and 4 years old, both girls. My wife is already sick. We are living on a mattress. They are shivering in the cold at night," he said.
"I WANT A HOME FOR MY CHILDREN" Aydoğan Avcı expressed that his only wish is to provide a safe living space for his children, saying, "I don't want anything for myself. I want it for my children. I work, but the money I earn is only enough for our stomachs. I can't gather enough for rent. I need to work for a month just to pay one month's rent. I only need a home. I have a job, but I have no safe place. I go to work leaving my children in God's hands." He also mentioned that he cannot send his children to school, saying, "We have no residence address to enroll them in school. We are living in the woods. They are of school age, but I couldn't register them. I am waiting for help from our elders, our government, and philanthropists," he stated.
"THEY CUT HER HAIR BECAUSE OF LICE" Explaining why they cut their little daughter's hair short, Avcı said, "My little daughter Ayşe's hair was thin and wouldn't hold a hairpin. My family had her cut because they said she had lice. I was at work at the time. They cut my daughters' hair. Then my father-in-law also kicked us out of the house. I worked insured for 18 months at an animal farm in Manisa Salihli. When the farm closed, my mother-in-law said, 'Come, we will make you a room.' We lived in a 10 square meter room for 3 months. Then we were kicked out from there too. I ended up on the streets with my children," he said.
"I PAID THE RENT IN ADVANCE, BUT THEY THREW ME OUT AGAIN" Avcı, who stated that they were also victimized in the house of a woman who wanted to help the family for a while, could not hold back his tears while recounting the last incident he experienced. Avcı said, "A sister of ours told us, 'Come stay in the storage.' I paid the rent in advance. Then she said, 'I will give you the upper floor,' and we moved there. I paid the rent for that place too. 12 days later, she declared us thieves, saying, 'My belongings are missing.' She took 12 thousand lira for the house and 6 thousand lira for the storage from me. She took my money and threw me out. I have never touched a penny of anyone else's money, and I won't. I am 39 years old, and I will not let my children eat anything haram," he said.
"WE ARE FREEZING, WE CAN'T FIND FOOD" Nazmiye Avcı, who described the helplessness she experiences with her husband, spoke with tears in her eyes. Avcı said, "Right now, my husband, children, and I are living in the woods. We were evicted from our home under the pretext of theft. We have nowhere to go. We don't want anything from the government; we just want a home. If there is rent, we will pay it. As long as my children are in a safe place," she stated. Nazmiye Avcı explained that they are struggling to survive under difficult conditions, saying, "We are freezing. We are having a hard time finding food. The gas ran out, and I couldn't cook for my children in the evening. There is an air conditioner in the house, but it's broken; we couldn't set up a stove. We haven't been able to take a shower for three weeks; I have no place to wash my children's clothes. We get wet when it rains, and the water gets cut off. They are shivering. I am anemic and sick, but I can't go to the doctor. My psychology is broken now; my only wish is a home. There were days when we slept at the mosque door. I am ashamed to go out in public. I want my children to have a room, and I want us to sleep peacefully in our own bed. Please help for God's sake," she called for help.