A father from Şırnak spends whole day breaking stones to cover education expenses of his nine children

Abdulhamit Tuzan, aged 49, residing in the village of Tepeköy in the Idil district of Şırnak, earns his living through stonework and takes pride in providing education for 9 out of his 10 children who are of school age, four of whom are daughters. Previously engaged in agricultural work in the village, Tuzan has been making a living for the past 6 years by finding stones in the local fields in the district, breaking and shaping them, and then paving them on walls, gardens, and roads. Due to various constraints, Tuzan could not continue his education after completing high school, but he passionately engages in his work to educate his children. Placing great importance on education, the father from Şırnak is sending three of his ten children to university, two to high school, two to middle school, and two to elementary school. Abdulhamit Tuzan stated that he endures the challenges of his profession to educate his children. He mentioned that one of his daughters is studying at Izmir Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Theology, one son at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Health Sciences Emergency Aid and Disaster Management Department, and another son at Şırnak University Faculty of Theology. Additionally, one son attends Batman Science High School, another son attends Idil Anatolian Imam Hatip High School, two daughters are in middle school, and one boy and one girl are in elementary school. Tuzan said, 'I am educating my children by breaking stones weighing 200-300 kilograms. We couldn't study due to limitations at the time, but I am determined to educate my children, and I am persistent about it. As we age and gain experience, we better understand the value of education. It is not easy to educate nine students; my burden is heavy, but I am determined to educate them.' Expressing his commitment to sending his 4-year-old child to school and continuing the education of his children in elementary, middle, and high school to university, Tuzan said that his children also work hard for this goal. Tuzan, who stated that his children in high school are ambitious about going to university and continue their studies, emphasized that he wants his children to complete their education, take up good positions, and serve the country. Calling on parents to educate their children, Tuzan concluded, 'Do not neglect education, even if you have to make sacrifices. We cannot turn our backs on them by saying, 'I sent them to school, that's all I can do.' It is necessary not to give up on this matter and persistently educate children because the conditions require it. My children see the conditions under which I work. I tell them, 'Don't be like me, save your lives by studying.' I will continue breaking stones as long as my health allows, and I will educate my children.'