Turkey's Changemakers: Let’s be happy for children in hospital

Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues in its 5th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to the social development. The second Changemaker of the 5th season is Özlem Arman who implemented the “Let’s Be Happy” project.

In her “Let’s Be Happy” project, Özlem Arman organizes different activities in state and university hospitals in İzmir to cheer up inpatient children during their treatment process, and to improve their mental health as well as their physical health.

Within the “Let’s Be Happy” project, social activities are held every week at two children’s hospital in İzmir. Apart from the regular activities, additional events are organized on special days. Magicians, mimes and animators voluntarily participate in the activities to amuse children. Before joining the project and taking part in the activities, the volunteers receive comprehensive trainings on pedagogy and approach to children with disabilities.

The “Let’s Be Happy” project, which is a non-profit organization, has been conducted for 13 years with the support of volunteers and philanthropists. 30 active volunteers and Özlem Arman have worked for the happiness of around 40,000 inpatient children. Thanks to the activities, the children feel much happier and their opinions about the hospital positively change. This positive change also reflects on their treatment.