Interview With Derin Derici

This week, I sat down with student Derin Derici to discuss some fundraising efforts she organized for Turkey. As most know, Turkey and Syria were hit with 7.8 and 7.7 earthquakes on February 6, 2023. The damage has been severe, and the people of Turkey and Syria need our help.

When beginning the interview, I asked Ms. Derici to introduce herself. Derin Derici is currently in her fifth year at StFX. She has already completed a degree in Marketing last year and will graduate with a degree in Economics this year. Originally from Bolu, Turkey, Ms. Derici has been very involved in the campus community. She works for Convenience U and X-Patrol. She has given campus tours and been the International Representative for the Students’ Union. Furthermore, Ms. Derici has acted as an off-campus leader as well. Currently, Ms. Derici is also the Marketing Director for the Schwartz Business Society.

When asked about her fundraising efforts, Ms. Derici said that “When the earthquake first started, we did fundraising tables.” These were up from reading week until mid-March. Before the fundraising began, Derin Derici had also set up posters around campus with QR codes so students could send direct donations. She said that Elizabeth Yeo and Susan Grant helped in the process of the posters as well. As we discussed the posters, Ms. Derici explained that 50 million people have had to migrate because of the earthquakes in Turkey. Of other activities Ms. Derici said that “the Inn on the Wednesday Wing Night, both [Sean Ryan and Shawn Kieley], they gave permission to give half of the cover fees to the earthquake fund.”

Ms. Derici has also been involved in off-campus fundraising. She is a member of the Turkish Society of Nova Scotia’s marketing board. The Turkish Society of Nova Scotia has also been raising funds for relief efforts. They are to host a ceremony for Turkey in Halifax, including the raising of the Turkish flag. Ms. Derici is currently working with the society virtually, though she is excited to go to Halifax to be able to continue her efforts physically within the society. Elizabeth Yeo and Susan Grant also “made a huge website” for the fundraising efforts. As per Ms. Derici, they have been very diligent about updating the website for each new fundraising event. The Turkish flag was also raised on the university campus and Morrison Hall has been illuminated with red lights to represent the Turkish flag as well.

It is not to say that fundraising has been a walk in the park. Certain events that were to take place could not as there were not enough students available to organize tables around campus simultaneously.

When asked about the amounts raised, Ms. Derici said “so far, the fundraising table, we raised $758, I’m assuming.” The Inn also raised an additional $400 for the fundraiser by splitting the Wing Night cover fees. As for other planned events, Ms. Derici mentioned that all donations made at the Schwartz Business Society’s end of year banquet will be given for Turkey. As per donations at the event, Ms. Derici explained that “With the Schwartz Business Society, we are expecting $1000 approximately in the end of March.” Jars had also been set in each residence on campus and the donations from said jars will be collected soon as well. As for the Turkish Society of Nova Scotia, Ms. Derici stated that “they raised $20,000 so far and then that’s only the first round of fundraising.” When MPs Sean Fraser and Seamus O’Regan came to give a talk earlier in the semester, they offered their support and any help they may be able to give.

Ms. Derici has a link in her Instagram bio where students can directly donate to non-governmental organizations. Ms. Derici also suggested students visit AHBAP.com, as it “is an earthquake fund for Turkish organizations.” She also mentioned that Red Cross Canada has an earthquake fund, too. Ms. Derici also informed us that the Turkish Society of Nova Scotia shares all fundraising events on their social media platforms and has links on their platforms where anyone can donate.

I then asked Ms. Derici if there was anything else she would like students to know. She stated that “An earthquake like this, it’s gonna take 5 years to repair the whole cities.” She said that multiple rounds of fundraising over the next few years will be necessary to help repair the cities. If students can donate more than once over the span of this time, it would be extremely helpful to the people of Turkey. There are also ongoing efforts to bring Turkish families to Canada and Turkish students in Canada trying to reunite with their families as well. She urged students to continue their support and to keep donating, when possible.