Minister Göktaş: 11,022 children live with 9,277 foster families

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş made important statements at the 'Gönül Elçileri Family Vision Workshop'. Göktaş stated that 11,022 children across Turkey are living with 9,277 foster families. These figures demonstrate how widespread the foster care system has become and how sensitive society is on this issue. In her speech, Göktaş highlighted the new doors opened by foster families in children's lives and emphasized the importance of transforming love into social good.

Speaking before Foster Family Day on June 30, Göktaş noted that the stories of foster families will reveal how love turns into social good. She said, 'A compassionate hand reaching a child's dream will change our future, and a merciful hand touching a child's life will transform society.' She also expressed her belief that this movement of kindness will grow day by day and thanked all foster families and volunteer ambassadors.

Göktaş described childhood as a person's first garden, stating that whatever is planted there will shape how one sees the world as an adult. She emphasized that a child raised with love holds onto life more confidently, and a child who knows their worth more easily recognizes the value of others. The minister pointed out that not every child can start life with the same secure foundation, which is why the role of foster families becomes crucial.

Göktaş noted that the 'Gönül Elçileri' (Volunteer Ambassadors) Project, initiated under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan in 2012, has turned into a strong campaign of goodwill across the country. She announced that currently 11,022 children are living with 9,277 foster families. Additionally, 2,229 children aged 0-3 and 2,057 children aged 4-6 are growing up with foster families, and 1,345 children with special needs are also benefiting from this service.

The minister stated that the ministry has made significant regulations to strengthen the foster care system. With efforts in 2026, social rights of foster families were improved, and public and private sector employees were granted leave rights when becoming foster parents. This work, recognized by UNICEF as a promising project, has created an impact beyond borders, bringing hope to children in brotherly geographies. She also announced that under the 'Strengthening the Foster Care System in Turkey' project launched in 2024, 283 children in 30 pilot provinces have been matched with 262 temporary foster families.