18.10.2026 12:10
Esra Sarıcaoğlu, 46, living in the Ereğli district of Konya, raised her daughter alone after losing her husband 22 years ago. After her daughter wanted a sibling, Sarıcaoğlu became the foster mother of Meryem, who lost her mother at birth; when it was understood that Meryem was mentally disabled, she also took in 2-year-old Berfin last year so that Meryem would not grow up alone.
Esra Sarıcaoğlu, who lives in Konya, also brought 3-year-old Berfin into her family to ease the longing for a sibling felt by Meryem, a child with intellectual disabilities for whom she is a foster parent, allowing the two children to grow up together.
Sarıcaoğlu, a 46-year-old housewife living in the Ereğli district, raised her daughter, who was 1 year old at the time, alone after losing her husband 22 years ago.
SHE APPLIED WHEN HER DAUGHTER WANTED A SIBLING
After her daughter asked for a sibling, Sarıcaoğlu, wanting to become a foster parent to a child, applied to the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services.
Nine years ago, Sarıcaoğlu became the foster mother of 2-year-old Meryem, who had lost her mother at birth.
When it was later determined that Meryem had intellectual disabilities, Sarıcaoğlu embraced her even more and wanted to become a foster parent to a second child in order to ease her longing for a sibling and ensure she would not grow up alone. Last year, Sarıcaoğlu also opened her arms to 2-year-old Berfin.
IT IS AS IF WE HAVE NEVER HAD A LIFE WITHOUT MERYEM AND BERFIN
Esra Sarıcaoğlu, whose daughter is studying industrial engineering in Istanbul, told an AA correspondent that she did everything she could to give Meryem, who lost her mother at birth, a mother's love in the fullest sense.
Sarıcaoğlu, explaining that she and Meryem touched each other's lives, said, "I am grateful that Meryem came into our lives. In this process, our journey that began with Meryem went well. I thought, if I can change this much in a child's life, why shouldn't I change another child's life too? It is as if we have never had a life without Meryem and Berfin. I feel as if I gave birth to them myself."
WE ARE TRYING TO BRING HEALING TO EACH OTHER
Sarıcaoğlu stated that words would not be enough to describe her love for children, and spoke as follows:
"When I saw Meryem's difference and what she added to me, I wanted to touch another child's life again. I wanted her to touch my life too. I want her to have a sibling and for them to experience that older sister-younger sibling feeling together. People around me were very surprised that I took a second child after Meryem. The children and I have become very used to each other. Not only the children, but I have also improved myself. We are actually trying to be mutual healing for each other."
Meryem also emphasized that she loves her sibling very much, saying, "We play games with my sister. I love her."