July 12, 2020

“I have spent 92 years of my life on this land, I have grown up and grown old here. My father, grandfather, and great grandfather also lived in this village and raised their children here. I also spent my entire life here. The village was doing so well before, there was plenty of water and fruits. We owned these lands. We now face a lack of water, there is a water pump motor everywhere. After the water issue started in our village, most of the youth traveled to the cities of Western Turkey and started working there. Those of us who have grown old stay together in this village. I have 10 children. Other than my eldest son, they all live in the city. No one lives here anymore. I visit the gardens and fields every day and I have many friends here. I wished that my children and grandchildren were here, but it seems like the life I have left will be spent here thinking of the past and my children and grandchildren.”