True dedication: Syrian refugee girl, 11, is filmed studying in a pile of RUBBISH in Turkey

True dedication: Syrian refugee girl, 11, is filmed studying in a pile of RUBBISH in Turkey (and has now been given a place at school)

  • Halime Cuma was spotted next to an overflowing bin, as she made notes
  • The young girl arrived in Turkey a year ago with her mother and father
  • The dedicated student said she was ‘excited’ about starting school this month

An 11-year-old Syrian refugee girl that was filmed studying in a pile of rubbish, has now been offered a school place.

Dedicated student Halime Cuma was spotted next to several bins, with the footage leading to her being offered a place in a Turkish school.

The incident took place in the Arnavutkoy area of Istanbul on the European side of the western Turkish major city. 

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The 11-year old (pictured above) was filmed studying on a heap of rubbish

Halime (right) now has a place at a Turkish school and is pictured attending class

Halime (right) now has a place at a Turkish school and is pictured attending class

Halime’s life changed when video footage of her diligently writing into a notebook while sitting among rubbish was uploaded to social media, causing outrage. 

Turkish education authorities stepped in and found the young refugee a place at a school. 

The 11-year-old started her education on 26th September. According to local media, Halime arrived in Turkey from Syria with her mother and father about a year ago. 

Halime Cuma's life changed when the footage was posted to social media

Halime Cuma’s life changed when the footage was posted to social media

The eldest of six children, she currently lives with her parents and six brothers and sisters in Arnavutkoy. Reports said that only the youngest child Hamide has been attending school before her sister was filmed studying in squalor. 

Council officials have confirmed that the municipality will pay for Halime’s school costs. 

Meanwhile, the bright 11-year-old said that she was ‘excited’ she will be able to have ‘access to so many books’ at the institute. 

The incident took place in the Arnavutkoy area of Istanbul on the European side of the western Turkish major city

The incident took place in the Arnavutkoy area of Istanbul on the European side of the western Turkish major city

Her father Abdulrezzak Cuma told local media: ‘I wanted my kids to go to school and was very upset that most of them could not.

‘Halime started her new school today and I am over the moon. Now she will be able to progress in life. Next, I hope all out children will have access to public education.’ 

 

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