“Village School Sister” Works like a CSO on Her Own

12 February 2018, Semra Köse Sibel Tan Arıkan is one of the most well-known best models of the 90s. She is also “Turkey’s queen of models”. Originally an architect, she built her career as a model, actress and a presenter, but recently she has become famous as the “village school sister”. She has been contacting […]

12 February 2018, Semra Köse

Sibel Tan Arıkan is one of the most well-known best models of the 90s. She is also “Turkey’s queen of models”. Originally an architect, she built her career as a model, actress and a presenter, but recently she has become famous as the “village school sister”. She has been contacting a number of teachers from the east to the west, taking lists of requirements and presenting them to benefactors.

Working as a mediator to fulfil a number of requirements, Arıkan told about her @koyokullariablasi (village school sister) account and her project to Civil Pages:

What is your starting story?

I was sitting at home in a winter’s day, surfing social media sites and a news came up mentioning children’s need for boots. Suddenly I thought about my own son. He had boots but still wore sneakers to the school. This made me empathize with those children. I thought what I could do to help those children. I took a steep by creating a WhatsApp group for the parents.

Do you think about becoming an association?

No, I don’t. I am a meticulous person, I don’t want my social media pages to be out of my control. Because I cannot act as an association, I cannot collect donations and direct them. I can only guide the benefactors. I think social media pages have a different kind of energy. If I was an association donations probably would decrease in time.

What would you want to say to possible benefactors?

I want them to imagine the class they see on my social media page and invite them to feel empathy.