Starting Anew at a Playground of Possibilities
In the heart of Kiptaş Container City in earthquake-hit Hatay, laughter and the joyful sounds of children playing at a specially designed playground fill the air.
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In the heart of Kiptaş Container City in earthquake-hit Hatay, laughter and the joyful sounds of children playing at a specially designed playground fill the air. Colorful slides that are double the width of standard slides, with non-slip steps; swings with secure buckles and harnesses for anyone requiring extra support; wheelchair-accessible ramps; and cushioned surfaces ensure that every child can play safely and freely. But what truly sets this playground apart is its purpose. It’s a space for healing and play for all children, regardless of their ability. Every detail breathes new life into those whose bodies or spirits were wounded. It’s a place where play becomes a path to resilience and renewal.
In the center of the park, three siblings—Ahmet (11), Zehra (8), and Ala (6) —race toward the green motorbike, their laughter ringing out with joy. Each of them carries their own set of challenges, yet they have weathered life’s harshest storms hand in hand with their father, Mohammed. Together, they have survived the unimaginable, holding onto one another with unwavering strength.
Their story begins with Mohammed, their father, now 34, fleeing the Syrian civil war in 2015. He sought refuge in Türkiye with his wife and their infant son, Ahmet. When the family arrived in Hatay, they left behind the trauma of war and the hardships of displacement. It was here that their two other children, Zehra and Ala, were born, and the family began building a new life in Türkiye from the ground up. This life held steady until the morning of February 6, 2023.
The earthquake marked the beginning of yet another heartbreaking chapter for the family. Trapped beneath the rubble of a five-story apartment building, they waited for rescue on the fourth floor, for three long days. When help finally arrived, devastation had already taken its toll. Their mother did not survive. Ahmet had suffered a severe head injury and was rushed to Ankara, where he later lost four fingers on his right hand. Zehra was transferred to a hospital in İskenderun, Hatay, where her right leg was amputated below the knee. Ala, pulled from the rubble alongside her sister, miraculously escaped with no lasting physical injuries.
“I couldn't be with my children while I was amongst the rubble, searching for my wife's body. I reunited with my children days later through hospital lists shared online,” says Mohammed.
Reunited but forever changed, the family faced the daunting challenge of healing and rebuilding their lives. With the support of the community, they began to navigate the journey of recovery, drawing strength from one another as they honored the memory of their beloved mother and wife. Each day presented new hurdles, but together, they were determined to rise from the ashes of their tragedy.
Despite all the hardships they have endured, the children are thriving today and live with their father in the container city of Hatay. What matters most to Mohammed is hearing his children laugh again.
Every afternoon after school, the children run to the container where their father greets them at the door. They quickly change out of their uniforms, help set the table, finish their homework, and then head to the park— their favorite part of the day. For Ahmet, Zehra, and Ala, this park serves as a doorway back to childhood, a place where they can play, and feel free once more.
Thanks to secure seating and safety handles, Ahmad can swing without danger. Zahra can easily reach the slide using the ramps. And Ala’s favorite thing is riding the seesaw with his siblings, laughing in the breeze.
“My children love playing here,” says Mohammed. “And I do not worry, because the toys are designed with their needs in mind and are safe and accessible.”
The park has also become a cherished gathering place for other residents of the container city. It’s now an essential space where families can come together, a place to relax in the gazebo, share conversations, and connect while their children play nearby.
Ms. Yıldız and Ms. Aybüke are among the many parents who bring their children here every day. While the kids play together, the parents, too, find companionship and a sense of community.
“This park allows our children to play side by side, without barriers,” says Ms. Aybüke. “They’re learning to be more mindful and considerate of their peers with disabilities. It’s helping them grow into more compassionate and aware individuals.”
"This playground showed us that children with and without disabilities can play together. It is empowering to see that our children are happy." Says Ms. Yildiz.
“As families, we get a chance to talk and share our troubles while our children are playing.” She adds.
As the day winds down, the joyful voices of children gradually fade, and the park settles into quiet calm. The three siblings, having played hard, took their father’s hand and headed home, a little tired but full of joy.
To some, this playground in a city reborn from the ashes of devastation may seem small, even insignificant. But for those who gather here, it has become a powerful symbol of healing, of rising again, and of choosing life. Because sometimes, the first step toward mending deep wounds begins with something as simple as a game, the gentle rhythm of a swing, or laughter sliding down into the soft ground.
UNICEF, in collaboration with the Hatay municipality, has built this special playground in the heart of Hatay as a pilot project. Having served thousands of children and families to date, this playground creates meaningful moments where children find the strength to look toward the future with hope and continue writing their own stories, despite the trauma they carry. And perhaps above all, it stands as a gentle but powerful reminder: every child has the right to play freely, safely, and without barriers.
