Founded by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in 2015, El Menahil International School serves Syrian refugee children and families displaced by violence and conflict, providing holistic education and support for children and families in Türkiye. Today, it has become a second home and safe haven for many. 

Earlier this year, when a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye on February 6, 2023, more than 50,000 people’s lives were tragically lost, while another 120,000 faced injuries. Tzu Chi’s Türkiye and Syria earthquake relief mission was able to help tens of thousands of disaster survivors, with local Tzu Chi volunteers and international NGO partners among the first to carry out aid efforts. At the same time, Tzu Chi initiated programs to rebuild in the disaster-impacted area with supplies, donations, and love from around the world.

After the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, Tzu Chi assisted Syrians who fled to Türkiye with a special focus on students, hoping to provide an opportunity to pursue their education in a safe and caring environment. Thus, the El Menahel International School was established, with over 4,000 students enrolled to date.