TIKA Funds the Occupational Therapy Project Frame-worked by Bit Makali Organization
By: Alaa Babiker
From Bit Makali Media Office
15 May 2025
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is funding Bit Makali Organization through its Occupational Therapy Project, initiated by Bit Makali National Organization. This project, now in its fifth year, is targeting survivors of abuse at its headquarters, the Aman Alex Kafouri Center for Survivors. It represents the first example of collaboration between the government, businesspeople, and a civil society organization.
The initiation was attended by Lieutenant General Mustafa Mohamed Nour, Governor of the Red Sea State, and the Turkish Ambassador to Sudan, Ambassador Fatih Yildiz.
In the presence of the Director of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Galip Yilmaz. Dr. Mohamed Jadallah, Assistant Director General of TIKA in Sudan. Ms. Buthaina, attending for the Minister of Social Security Ahmed Adam Bakhit.
Among the attendees was also the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Service in the Red Sea State. The head of the social sector in the Red Sea State, Ms. Elham Idris. And the Minister of Tourism in the State Ms. Samia Oshik.
On behalf of the Darfur civil administrations, Lieutenant Salah al-Din Muhammad. Several media professionals. Counsellor Lubna Ali, head of the organization, director of the centre, and the founder of this initiative. And the centre team.
The training materials and the centre’s deficiencies were delivered by the General Manager of the Turkish TIKA Foundation and the Assistant Director. Counsellor Lubna Ali signed the receipt of all materials, which are in-kind funding to train survivors and complete the centre’s deficiencies of electrical equipment and other important materials (Generator /charger and ceiling fans /sewing machines /coolers /2 refrigerators /freezers /ice cream machine and water containers /6 water coolers /3 full screens with stands, plates, receiver and MP3 /full training chairs, tables and reception chairs /double beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets and heaters /3 computers and 2 laptops /5 barrels /sinks, onion cutters and falafel machines /3 ovens, 5 gas cylinders, 1 five-burner stove and 8 heaters /10 kg washing machine) This increases the centre’s capacity from 18 beds to 28 beds.
Counsellor Lubna Ali confirmed that these aids have provided women with production lines for small industries. This achievement marks the first funding from TIKA for a voluntary organization in Sudan after the war.
In conclusion, the Turkish Ambassador to Sudan praised the role of the organization and promised to provide support to those affected by the war, especially women. He stressed that the war will end and Sudan will return as a strong and unified country. He praised the important role of the organization and the importance of the centre during this period.
The Women’s Department at the Ministry and the Federal Social Security Administration emphasized the importance of the growing role of the centre, praised the role of TIKA, and thanked the Turkish government for its support to Sudan. The department also thanked the governor of the Red Sea State, the host state, and several representatives of the Federal Ministry for extending a helping hand to the centre, facilitating its tasks.
As for the Director of the Social Sector in the Red Sea State, Ms. Elham Idris, she praised the role of TIKA and said that the funding would help the survivors. She emphasized the organization’s role in carrying out the centre’s work.
The Red Sea Governor praised the role of TIKA and the Turkish Embassy and their continued support for the state and Sudan as a whole.
Counsellor Lubna Ali, Head of the organization, Director of the centre, and the founder of this initiative: “ I thank the Turkish ambassador and TIKA Foundation for their support to the organization and the generous support for the transformational training.
Thanks to the Governor of the State Lieutenant General Mustafa Muhammad Nour, for honouring the initiative. And also on behalf of the Federal Minister of Social Security, Ms. Buthaina, the Women’s Department, Ms. Mariam, the Director of the Social Sector in the Red Sea State, Ms. Ilham Idris, the Department of Violence Against Women and Children in the Social Sector in the Red Sea State, Ms. Fatiha Rahma, and special thanks to the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Samia Oshik, for her elegant presence, and the Deputy Director of Security in the Red Sea State.
Engineer Amin Al-Tahir, from the Eastern Development Fund, and all the media, including the governor’s office media, for honouring us at the initiative.
Special thanks to Lieutenant Salahuddin, representing Darfur Native Administration.
I also extend my gratitude to the centre’s counsellor, Tim, for working under difficult circumstances and supporting survivors for nine continued months, despite scarce resources”.