27.07.2026 00:10
75-year-old Ümmü Şahin, who lives alone in Aydın, continues her life in a house without a toilet or bathroom after the annex was destroyed years ago. Having lost her husband 20 years ago and with her son in prison, the elderly woman says she cannot invite guests to her home out of embarrassment, and once again made her years-long unanswered call for help to the authorities.
The living conditions of 75-year-old Ümmü Şahin, who lives alone in the rural Kuloğulları Neighborhood of Aydın's Efeler district, break the hearts of those who see them.
WHEN THE OUTBUILDING COLLAPSED, SHE HAD TO LIVE FOR YEARS IN A HOUSE WITHOUT A TOILET OR BATHROOM
It was learned that after the outbuilding, which she used as a toilet and bathroom in her garden, collapsed during winter rains a few years ago, the elderly woman, who lost her husband about 20 years ago and whose son was imprisoned years ago for a crime, had to live for years in a house without a toilet or bathroom.
OUT OF SHAME, SHE IS EVEN AFRAID OF HAVING A GUEST AT HOME
The elderly woman, who has been longing for a usable toilet for years despite applications via the village headman's office and her imprisoned son, asked authorities for help. Ashamed to the point of fearing guests, the elderly woman stated that she has been able to wash with a basin obtained from somewhere for years, but her biggest fear is needing to use the toilet during the day or at unexpected times.
Ümmü Şahin, who stated that she receives a monthly old-age pension of over 6,000 TL from the state but has no other income, said that with support from benefactors and savings from her 6,400 TL monthly pension, she could buy some materials but could not afford to build a bathroom and toilet. It was learned that after her husband died and her son went to prison, the helpless woman fell into a desperate situation and has been trying to survive for years without a toilet or bathroom.
"I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR 2.5 YEARS"
Kuloğulları Neighborhood Headman Mehmet Yılmaz, stating that this situation of Aunt Ümmü deeply saddened him too, but despite applying to Social Services many times, they could not get any results, said, "Our aunt's husband passed away about 25-30 years ago. She has a son, who has been in prison for years due to a crime. I took office 2.5 years ago. Even before I took office, she had no toilet or bathroom. I have applied many times for 2.5 years. Her son also applied from prison with a petition. After both my and her son's applications, officials came and looked. They prepared a report. However, no progress has been made for years," requesting that this most essential need of the elderly woman, who has no one left in the world, be addressed immediately.