Meet the Heart of A-CLASE – Our Volunteers!
slovenia
TURKEY
Elizabeta Papež
Community Member and Volunteer
Elizabeta is a retired community member who is enthusiastic about participating in A-CLASE’s dialogical meetings. She sees this opportunity as an exciting challenge to gain new experiences while contributing to the project. Elizabeta joined A-CLASE because of her passion for helping others and making a positive impact in the community.
Gozdana Petrič
Retired Lawyer and Volunteer
Gozdana, a retired university graduate in law, is passionate about working with people. Whether collaborating independently or in pairs, she takes pride in her natural ability to help others feel at ease and uplifted. Joining the A-CLASE project is a challenge she wholeheartedly embraces, as it aligns with her desire to connect with others and create positive experiences.
Kadriye Müftüoğlu
Retired Literature Teacher, Editor, and Volunteer
Kadriye, a retired literature teacher, continues to pursue her passion for storytelling as a volunteer editor at a publishing house. Drawn to A-CLASE by her love for meeting new people and sharing experiences, she sees the project as a unique opportunity to observe personal growth through dialogue and shared narratives.
Believing that every person has a story, Kadriye embraces her role as both a witness and an inspiration-seeker. Through listening, sharing, and engaging in dialogic gatherings, she hopes to foster meaningful connections and bring these human experiences to life in her writing.
Refie Nilgün Arslan
Retired Math Teacher and Volunteer
Nilgün, a retired math teacher, finds her greatest joy in reading, learning, and exploring the arts—especially theater, cinema, and music. She firmly believes that creativity and productivity have no age limits and that every stage of life offers an opportunity to contribute and grow.
Motivated by a deep desire to be useful to others, Nilgün joined A-CLASE to connect with people from different cultures, exchange knowledge, and engage in meaningful discussions. With an open heart and a curious mind, she is eager to take part in the project and thanks everyone who has made this experience possible.
Irena Hlača
Retired headteacher, social worker and volunteer
Irena joined the A-CLASE project with the goal of acquiring new knowledge, expanding her social network, and maintaining her physical and mental well-being. She is particularly motivated by the opportunity to contribute to greater inclusion, a sense of safety and well-being, and the self-confidence of participants.
With a strong belief in mutual learning, Irena is excited about the valuable lessons she will gain from others in the project. She looks forward to further activities and meaningful engagement within the A-CLASE initiative.
Gabrijela Bukovec
Retired Teacher and Volunteer
Gabrijela, from Novo mesto, is a dedicated teacher who joined the A-CLASE project to embrace new opportunities and challenges. She firmly believes that nothing happens by chance, and her involvement in the project reflects her passion for continuous learning and growth.
Kıyas Ak
Retired Teacher, Mentor, and Volunteer
After 35 years as a classroom teacher, Kıyas has spent the past decades dedicating his time to meaningful volunteer work, particularly in the field of mother-child health. A long-time Istanbul resident, he has enriched his life with a love for reading, traveling, music, and theater—so much so that he has spent years ensuring that dozens of people around him can regularly experience the magic of theater.
Through A-CLASE, Kıyas has formed new friendships and embraces the project with enthusiasm. Passionate about sharing culture and knowledge, he approaches each dialogic gathering with excitement, eager to inspire and be inspired by the stories and experiences of others.
Adnan Çakır
Retired Teacher and Volunteer
Adnan, a retired classroom teacher, has always been passionate about learning and staying active—whether through reading books or engaging in sports. While he has spent his career shaping young minds, A-CLASE offers him a new and exciting challenge: working with adults.
Taking part in this project has been a fresh and instructive experience for him, opening new perspectives and opportunities for growth. With curiosity and enthusiasm, Adnan embraces the journey of learning and sharing within the A-CLASE community.
Majda Štimec
Retired Nurse and Volunteer
Majda, a retired nurse, brings a wealth of experience from her career, where she engaged in communication, preventive care, and building connections with individuals and families. She was drawn to the A-CLASE project by its volunteer nature and the opportunity to foster dialogue and understanding among diverse groups.
Passionate about meeting new people, exchanging ideas, and learning from others, Majda views dialogical meetings as both a challenge and an opportunity. She values the chance to create learning spaces where participants contribute their experiences, ideas, and knowledge, fostering greater understanding and connection.
Majda strongly believes that differences are not obstacles but opportunities for mutual understanding. Through intercultural dialogue, openness, and the exchange of perspectives, she strives to help build an inclusive and supportive environment.
Nene Borčilo
Retired Painter, Artisan, and Volunteer
As a retired painter and craftswoman, Nene brings creativity and passion to every endeavor she takes on. Her love for working with people, paired with a touch of professional “deformation,” drives her to give back to the community she cherishes. Through A-CLASE, she dedicates her valuable time to fostering connections and learning from others, which she joyfully pays forward.
Joining the project represents a meaningful challenge she wholeheartedly embraces. She believes that dialogic gatherings not only enrich participants but also cultivate understanding, inclusion, and lifelong learning for everyone involved.
Mevlüde İyison
Retired Administrator and Volunteer
After 45 years of service as an administrator in a state institution, Mevlüde now embraces a well-earned retirement filled with walks, hobbies, and cherished moments with friends and family. A true lover of Istanbul, she finds joy in exploring its beauty and getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Joining A-CLASE as a volunteer has given her an entirely new experience—one that she approaches with curiosity and an open heart. Through dialogic gatherings, she continues to connect, learn, and share, making the most of this exciting chapter in her life.
Züleyha Bağbaba
Retired Teacher and Volunteer
Züleyha, a retired teacher and mother of two, has always been passionate about learning and exploration. Whether through books or travel, she enjoys discovering new perspectives and broadening her horizons.
In her retirement, she is committed to giving back to the community by engaging in voluntary social work. Through A-CLASE, Züleyha finds fulfillment in meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on others.
Tatjana Durmić
Retired Biology Teacher and Volunteer
Tatjana joined the A-CLASE project because she enjoys challenges. At first, the project’s content was entirely unfamiliar to her, but as she explored its goals, she realized that her extensive teaching experience would make her participation a meaningful and enriching journey. She sees working with new people as an exciting and valuable experience.
Her mission is to help participants recognize their potential, overcome their weaknesses, learn to truly listen to others, and respect different perspectives and diversity.
Darinka Breglec
Retired Economist and Volunteer
Darinka accepted the invitation to participate in dialogic meetings as a meaningful challenge—both as a way to enrich her free time and gain new knowledge, and as an opportunity to help those who need support.
As a graduate in economics working in an international company, she had many opportunities to communicate with people of different nationalities, which she says was the most rewarding part of her job.
Now, in retirement, she spends much of her time reading, especially in the company of her grandchildren, who bring her great joy and fulfillment.
Serap Delannoït
Retired Engineer and Volunteer
Serap, a retired engineer, finds joy in the simple pleasures of life—getting lost in a good book and taking long, peaceful walks along the Bosphorus. Seeking new connections and meaningful conversations, she joined A-CLASE as a way to socialize and meet like-minded people.
For Serap, the project is more than just an opportunity to engage with others—it’s a source of positive energy and inspiration. The enriching dialogues and shared experiences within A-CLASE bring her joy and reinforce her belief in the power of human connection.
Kutsal Sezer
Retired IT & Cybersecurity Expert, Antique Collector, and Volunteer
With years of experience safeguarding banks from cyber threats, Kutsal has mastered the art of protection—not just in the digital world, but also in preserving history. An avid antique collector, passionate reader, traveler, and researcher, he thrives on uncovering stories, whether in books, distant places, or vintage treasures.
Now retired and a proud father, Kutsal finds joy in sharing his knowledge and experiences. Through A-CLASE, he engages in insightful conversations, exchanging ideas that bridge past and present. His curiosity and enthusiasm make him a valued part of the project, enriching discussions with his unique perspective.
Ksenja Lorber
Mediator and Teacher – Almost Retired 😊
Ksenja became a volunteer to enhance her professional skills, have fun, and sometimes because social injustice makes her angry—or because she is simply inspired by the cause of volunteering. Through her work and engagement in the A-CLASE project, she feels more connected to others and, in the process, restores her faith in humanity and the power of community.
Gregor Lorber
Retired Ministry of Defence Officer and Volunteer
After retiring due to a severe illness, Gregor remains determined to contribute to his community. He believes that volunteering not only provides immediate support but also brings long-term benefits that extend into the economic, social, and community spheres. Through his dedication and commitment, he actively participates in the A-CLASE project, fostering connections and offering support where it is needed most.
Ertan Evran
Entrepreneur and Volunteer
As a retired businessman, Ertan believes that growth and learning never stop. Dedicated to continuous self-improvement, he sees every experience as an opportunity to evolve and contribute to those around him.
Motivated by a strong sense of social responsibility, Ertan joined A-CLASE to support individuals in need and engage in meaningful dialogue. He values the project as a platform for connection, knowledge exchange, and personal enrichment—proving that retirement is just the beginning of new opportunities.
Ömer Cenk Yazan
Entrepreneur and Volunteer
For Ömer Cenk, trade has always been more than just business—it’s a way to build connections and help others. Even in retirement, his entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, driving him to explore new opportunities and engage with people from all walks of life.
Seeing A-CLASE as a meaningful way to reach and support those in need, he eagerly joined the project’s dialogical meetings. Through thoughtful conversations and shared experiences, Ömer Cenk continues his lifelong mission of making a difference—one dialogue at a time.
RIC Novo mesto
Topliška cesta 2
8000 Novo mesto
Slovenia
Saygın Eğitimciler ve Girişimciler Derneği
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi Halil Rıfat Paşa Mah. Yüzer
Havuz Sk. No:1/1
1669 Şişli/İstanbul
