15.11.2026 11:12
At the Special Hearts Public Education Center in Karşıyaka, Izmir, a project started by trainees with special needs with 4 chickens and 1 rooster has turned into a production area with approximately 100 chickens, 10 roosters, and 60 chicks. The trainees, who take care of the chickens, gift the approximately 100 eggs they collect every Friday to their friends and younger students.
The initiative started by individuals with special needs in the Karşıyaka district of İzmir with 4 hens and 1 rooster has turned into a production area housing 170 animals. The trainees, who take care of the hens and collect their eggs, learn sharing and solidarity by gifting about 100 eggs each week to their friends and younger students.
Within the scope of the work launched at the Karşıyaka Special Hearts Public Education Center to introduce the animals, trainees took part in the production process by taking care of the hens and roosters. Chicks were also produced over time by machine and broody hen methods for the animals whose numbers were increased. The work, initially carried out with 4 hens and 1 rooster, has today turned into a production area with approximately 100 hens, 10 roosters, and 60 chicks. The trainees distribute the eggs they collect from the hens they raise to their friends and younger students every Friday.
WE BECAME A FAMILY OF 170 PEOPLE
Cüneyt Buharalıoğlu, Director of the Karşıyaka Special Hearts Public Education Center, stated that there are approximately 100 trainees at the center with mild and moderate-to-severe intellectual and physical disabilities and autism. Explaining that the work was initially implemented to introduce the animals, Buharalıoğlu said, “We first bought these animals to show which animal was a hen and which was a rooster. Later, we also kept rabbits and dogs. When we saw that we could get products from hens and roosters, we increased the number. We went step by step, hatching our own chicks with a machine and a broody hen. Right now we have close to 100 hens, close to 10 roosters, and 60 chicks. Thus, we became a family of 170 people.”
Stating that with the work they started with 4 hens and 1 rooster they aimed to contribute to the trainees’ independent lives, Buharalıoğlu said, “We gave our students responsibility. We tried to instill a sense of cooperation and belonging. We aimed to make them feel that they are valuable in life, that they are safe here, and that they exist in any area of life. Here they took eggs from the hens they raised themselves. They take care of the chicks that hatch. Every Friday, they distribute the eggs to our children who are special and valuable like themselves. They gift them to those younger than themselves. We distribute approximately 100 eggs every week. They took the freshest eggs from the hens they raised themselves. Thus, they showed that they are valuable in society, that they can produce, and that they can do the most beautiful things whenever they want. I thank everyone who contributed to this path. In addition, the support of the İzmir Provincial Directorate of National Education in every matter is very valuable to us.” he said.
THEY GIFT 100 EGGS EVERY FRIDAY
Expressing that the work contributes to the trainees feeling valuable, Buharalıoğlu said, “Right now they feel very valuable and safe. This made us very happy. When we give eggs on Fridays, they call me on Saturday. They say, ‘Director, we ate our eggs, we are praying for you a lot.’ It is the product they themselves took from the hens they raised. We are very happy about this too. They did a piece of work. They received the reward for this work. As a result, they formed the thought, ‘I can produce too. I have a responsibility too. I have cooperation and solidarity too.’ Moving forward from this path, we continue with our slogan, ‘Our hearts are clean, our story will end happily.’” he said.
THEY CLEAN THE COOP EVERY DAY
Buğra Atbaş (30), a person with special needs who has been attending the center for 4 years, stated that he is happy to take care of the hens and said, “When I first came 4 years ago, the most important thing that caught my attention was the hens. I got involved. My teacher Şahin Taştan and I clean the coop every day. Sometimes I would get permission to stay in the garden. I stay in the garden and clean. I look after the chicks and feed the hens. On Fridays, we distribute the eggs we collect to our friends and the little ones. When I see that they are happy, I experience the same feeling. I have a dream for the future, and that is to work.” he said.
Nazlı Şen (37), who has been attending the center for 3 years, said, “When I first came here, I met the hens. When we bring leftovers from our meals, we distribute them to the hens and roosters. I am very happy to spend time with the hens and roosters.” Mete Tuna (43), who has been attending the center for 4 years, also said, “I bring lettuce from home for the hens. I also give the leftover food from the cafeteria. I feed the hens. At school, I make dishes such as cake and pastries from the hens’ eggs. I am very happy here.” he said.
Evren Demirel (42), who has been attending the center for 2 years, also said, “At school we do handicrafts, take care of the hens, and clean. We feed the hens and collect their eggs. We both take the eggs we collect home and distribute them. I am very happy to spend time here.” he said.