27.02.2026 22:13
In the Muradiye district of Van, due to heavy snow and freezing cold, Emrah and his wife Elmas Sarı, who have not left the rural neighborhood where no one lives during the winter, take care of 350 small livestock throughout the day and do household chores. Despite the minus 30-degree cold and the harsh face of nature, the couple has been keeping watch over the village for their animals during the winter for 9 years.
Residents of the 30-house Güllüçimen Neighborhood, located about 30 kilometers from the Muradiye district of Van, migrate to the district center in winter as heavy snow and blizzards frequently block the roads, forcing them to leave their homes.
THEY DID NOT LEAVE THEIR ANIMALS ALONE
Emrah and his wife Elmas Sarı, who have 6 children, do not leave the neighborhood for the sake of their small livestock, which is their source of income. The couple, who stay with their 3 children in a neighborhood where the nighttime temperature sometimes drops to minus 25-30 degrees Celsius, face the harsh winter conditions together.
THEY TAKE CARE OF THEM WITH GREAT CARE
The father Sarı, who sends his 3 school-aged children to live with their sibling in the district center, carefully takes care of their 350 small livestock with the help of his wife. In a neighborhood where the snow depth reaches up to 3 meters in places, and single-story houses and barns are buried in snow, the couple spends most of the day feeding their animals and meets their needs with the supplies they stored in one room of the house before the long and harsh winter.
"WE SUSTAIN OUR LIVING THROUGH ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, IF THAT ENDS, WE WILL HAVE TO MIGRATE"
Sarı stated that he has been continuing animal husbandry by staying in the neighborhood during winter with his wife and children for 9 years. He noted that they do not leave the neighborhood to take care of their animals, and added: "Living here in winter is very difficult. It is harder for us because we feed the animals outside. Due to the wind and freezing cold, the animals constantly run inside. The snow depth reaches up to 3 meters in some places. The snow has blocked the front of the houses and barns. Everything is under snow. We shovel snow from morning to evening. We are struggling with both the snow and the difficulties of life. We sustain our living through animal husbandry, and if that ends, we will have to migrate."
"DURING THE DAY WE TAKE CARE OF THE SHEEP, IN THE EVENING WE TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN"
Sarı, who expressed that he loves animal husbandry and therefore does not leave his home, said, "I want to improve my work. It has snowed a lot this year. It only melts by the end of April. During the day we take care of the sheep, and in the evening we take care of the children. No matter how difficult it gets, I will not give up animal husbandry. I will not leave my home for the animals. My biggest supporters during this process have been my wife and children." he said.
"WE MAKE YOGURT, CHEESE, AND BUTTER"
Elmas Sarı expressed that she has gotten used to the difficulties of life, saying, "We cannot leave our sheep. It snows for 6 months. I deal with the children and the house, while my husband takes care of the sheep. We help each other. We make yogurt, cheese, and butter. The snow is what challenges us the most. Our road is constantly blocked due to the snow." she said.