Travellers can gain insights into how displaced Syrian families are rebuilding their lives in Istanbul on a new day tour from Intrepid Urban Adventures.
In Focus: The Olive Tree of Istanbul takes travellers to the Capa district to visit Small Projects of Istanbul (SPI), a local NGO helping displaced families, particularly women and children, find their feet in a new city. With volunteers, SPI is working to provide supplemental education for children through weekly Turkish language classes, art classes and a homework support club, as well as skills building and livelihood support opportunities to women.
Groups will sit down for a meal of Syrian cuisine prepared by the women of the centre. Visitors will have time to talk informally to families who have had to flee their homes, and to volunteers from Turkey, Syria, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and beyond.
All net proceeds of the tour will go to Small Projects Istanbul. Tours run on Tuesdays and Saturdays and last for 2.5 hours. Tickets cost $58.