FAQ
Q. What does HasNa stand for?
HasNa is a combination of the first syllables of the founder’s parents’ names, i.e. Hasan and Naciye.
Q. Why is HasNa conducting programs in Southeast Turkey?
Southeast Turkey was identified as the region for our initial projects for several reasons: underdevelopment, ethnic diversity, resource development, and the presence of local partners. The GNP per capita in the poorest areas is less than a tenth of the GNP in Turkey’s more prosperous cities. The region is home not only to Turkey’s largest Kurdish population, but a large Arab population as well. The government has invested heavily in the development of the region through the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), however the population remains largely uneducated, untrained, and with a low per capita income. In order to maximize on the resource development that the region is undergoing, human capital development must be pursued. The presence of local NGOs that are willing to be our partners has enhanced HasNa’s capabilities to work in this region.
Q. Where does HasNa get its funds?
Most of HasNa’s financial support comes from individual donors.
Q. Would you work in other locations in the world?
At this time we are operating in Turkey, Cyprus, and Armenia where we have local NGO partners. We are willing to go anywhere in the world, provided that we have local NGOs to partner with who share our mission and goals, and that there is an expressed need for our services.
Q. How does HasNa choose the projects on which it focuses?
HasNa projects depend upon recommendations from local NGOs and past HasNa participants. All projects must meet the criteria that are the pillars of HasNa’s model.
Q. What specific outcomes does HasNa seek?
We seek substantial change that brings peace and prosperity to a region where diverse people can become truly integrated. Integration can occur through the strengthening of trust and through facilitated communication to produce understanding and cooperation. HasNa’s programs keep all of these aims in mind, and our training sessions are specifically designed to meet the needs of the diverse groups in the communities with which we work.
Q. What sets HasNa apart from other NGOs or government organizations?
HasNa is a people-to-people organization. Our projects always start small, and all of our projects are evaluated regardless of their size. All of our projects include follow-ups and are modified based on the results of post-program evaluations. Feedback from participants is used in shaping future programs. We sustain a network of individuals with whom we work in the regions. If the communities in the regions believe our projects are helpful, they invite us to help develop additional projects to benefit their development. Trust is vital for the continual reinforcement of our work, and after several years of work in the region, the communities have learned to trust us. Even though conflict resolution through development is a slow process, it produces lasting results.