But patching young people up and sending them straight back out onto the streets clearly isn’t enough. So in 2002 we started working with Children of Hope on the development of an education centre for these at-risk kids. The result was the opening in June 2003 of the Galatasaray Education Centre.

The centre offers a safe environment where street children can learn new skills and in the process build up their self-confidence. Besides reading and writing lessons, the centre provides vocational training and classes in subjects like photography, music and art. In 2005 its staff grew from 6 to 10 full-time personnel.

The way society treats its “lost children” should be of concern to everyone. That’s why, since 2002, we’ve donated $275,000 to the renovation and the day-to-day running costs of the centre, which come to around $8,000 a month. We’re proud to have been able to do what we can to help.