A Day of Innovation
‘The Master Maker Competition’ for refugee and Turkish children in Kilis
- Türkçe
- English
Kilis, Türkiye – It was a sunny September morning in Kilis, a vibrant city in the Southernmost part of Türkiye, where the spirit of innovation was about to come alive. Today was the long-awaited Master Maker Competition, a culmination of months of hard work for young Turkish, Syrian and other refugee participants aged 10 to 14 who had spent up to a year and a half honing their technical skills through the UNICEF-supported Maker Ateliers programme. As the children arrived at the venue where the Master Maker Competition will take place, their faces lit up with a mixture of excitement and nervous energy. They were about to put their coding knowledge and robotic creations to the test.
The Maker Programme focuses on supporting the most vulnerable children, particularly refugee children, in underserved neighborhoods by providing them with valuable digital learning opportunities that enhance their digital literacy. The initiative also aims to cultivate essential skills such as logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and fine motor skills through engaging, interactive group activities. By encouraging the most vulnerable refugee children to collaborate on solutions to everyday challenges, the programme fosters socialization and resilience, helping them navigate and overcome the adversities they may face.
As the day kicked off with an icebreaker designed to ease the tension and build camaraderie among the competitors, programme psychologist Manolya of Turkish Development Programme, led the group through a series of fun games to help them ease into the competition day. The first game involved throwing a squishy ball around the room, with each child sharing a strength about themselves.
"I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute!" declared 11-year-old Abdulbasit, with determination. Years ago, he and his family fled war-torn Aleppo, seeking refuge in Kilis, Türkiye. The tragic loss of his mother during their escape left him traumatized, but it also fueled his resolve to rebuild his life.
Once settled, Abdulbasit eagerly enrolled in school and frequently visited the community center to complete his homework. There, he discovered the Maker workshops and excitedly shared his interest with his father, who encouraged him to pursue it.
Since then, Abdulbasit has been a regular at the workshops, honing his skills while also receiving valuable psychosocial support, helping him navigate his past and embrace a hopeful future.
Next, the children participated in a movement game where one child left the room while the others chose a leader to start a motion, such as a hand clap. When the child returned, they had to guess who the leader was by observing closely. Laughter filled the room as guesses were made and wrong answers were shouted.
“It’s so fun to see everyone’s silly moves!” laughed 12-year-old Ali, another Syrian student attending the programme.
Once the ice was broken and the children felt more comfortable, Manolya gathered them to discuss the essence of competition. “What is fair play? What does it mean to compete?” she asked.
“A competition is racing against each other or time to finish something, or pass a finish line,” replied Salih, a 13-year-old, a penchant for definitions, resembling a walking encyclopedia.
With spirits high and solidarity forged, it was time for the competition to begin. The children were called in one by one to tackle the first two parts of the challenge, which involved coding and designing their robots. The air was filled with a mix of concentration and excitement as they worked diligently on their tasks.
“It’s like a puzzle! When one piece doesn’t fit, you just keep trying until it does!” exclaimed Yusuf, determination shining in his eyes.
After the initial challenges, the competitors formed teams of four for the next parts of the competition. They collaborated, piecing together their knowledge, carving parts for their robots, and even engaging in 3D modeling. Each moment was a blend of trial and error—building, testing, failing, and retesting.
Abdulbasit and Salih's friendship blossomed during their time at the Maker Programme. Salih, who had roots in Syria but was born in Türkiye, embraced Abdulbasit with warmth and kindness. From their very first meeting, they connected effortlessly, sharing stories and laughter. Salih took it upon himself to guide Abdulbasit through the intricacies of their new environment, ensuring he always felt at home and welcomed. Together, they navigated the challenges of the programme, forging a bond that would turn into a lasting friendship.
As the day wore on, the children experienced the highs and lows of creation.
Laughter erupted when the robot car unexpectedly malfunctioned, moving towards left instead of right albeit the input. “That’s just how it goes! We’ll fix it!” said Feyza, the team leader, who quickly gathered her teammates to troubleshoot the issue.
Finally, the time came for the judges to assess the young makers’ efforts. The anticipation in the room was palpable as the panel evaluated the competitors based on creativity, their 3D model’s functionality, and teamwork.
After much deliberation, it was time to announce the winners. All competitors were announced to be winners and they were celebrated with a Maker Kit to take home, ensuring that the spirit of learning and creativity continued long after the day ended. “I’m so happy that I learned so much. I can’t wait to build more at home!” said 13-year-old Reyyan clutching her prize tightly.
The Maker Competition showcased not only the technical skills these children had developed, but also their resilience and creativity, while fostering love and friendship between the host and refugee communities. The ‘Makers Ateliers’, delivered by UNICEF in partnership with the Türkiye Development Foundation (TKV) play a crucial role in their future and that of their communities.
Since the initiative launched in October 2019, thousands of children, including refugees in temporary settlements across Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, and Adıyaman, have had the opportunity to participate in these UNICEF-supported transformative workshops thanks to funding from the United States Government. After the devastating earthquakes in February 2023, the programme was adapted to reach even more students both Syrian and Turkish in the affected provinces, ensuring that the light of knowledge and hope continues to shine through adversity.
