Kaya Köy Update
Through this brief report, we wish to share with you an update on the most recent works we have been able to carry out in Kaya, as well as provide insight into our upcoming plans. These accomplishments have only been possible thanks to your generous support, and we hope this update demonstrates the tangible impact of your contributions and the direction of our continuing efforts.
As you may know, we lost our dear friend and colleague, Pol Dagli, in March 2025. Pol was the main contact for many volunteers and supporters, and his passing deeply affected the project. From the start, he had worked closely with his nephew, Milad Dagli, who is now leading the efforts in Kaya. After a period of mourning, Milad gradually took over Pol’s responsibilities in July. At that time, two families were living in Kaya village: the 12 tiny houses were completed, while the larger dual houses still required significant work.
Establishing the Kaya foundation
In the background, Pol had been working to establish Kaya as a registered foundation in Turkey. Just a week before his passing, Kaya finally received legal recognition. We are now working with a lawyer to appoint Milad Dagli as the new head of Kaya and to expand the board with four additional members. This process is time-consuming, but if all proceeds as planned, we expect to receive good news by the end of September 2025.
Current situation
In recent months, eight new families have moved into the tiny houses in Kaya village, bringing the total to ten families. We also completed the larger houses, which are now ready for use. In addition, we built a large warehouse, carried out landscaping work to level the ground and lay gravel, and began digging a well to address recurring water shortages.
Our current focus is on meeting with the families who have moved in and building good relationships with them. Some of the families in Kaya are also contributing to the project by taking on small tasks, such as keeping the area safe from snakes, taking care of crops and maintaining the trees for agriculture.
Future plans
We are grateful for the opportunity to provide housing for those affected by the earthquake and remain committed to offering even deeper, long-term support. Our vision is to create sustainable aid by equipping people with practical job skills and generating employment opportunities, enabling them to provide for themselves and their families. In addition, we plan to offer coaching and life skills training to help residents overcome the mental and emotional challenges of rebuilding their lives and to inspire new hope and motivation. We also aim to further develop the land and are exploring opportunities to use it for agriculture, creating both resources and livelihoods for the community.
Thank you
Once again, we sincerely thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Kaya project. We are grateful to partner with you in this project. Thank you as well for all the prayers and kind words we received after the passing of Pol.
To read about how the project began, click here