"Give Çatalhöyük A Hand" Campaign

"Give Catalhoyuk A Hand" campaign is perhaps the first and only grass roots campaign undertaken in Turkey in order to support archeology.

During the course of the campaign, nineteen volunteers raised a total of $ 13,700, selling "Give Catalhoyuk A Hand" certificates, which were worth $100 each, to a total of sixty five donors. The proceeds were used to purchase a tent (C-1) worth $12,000 (7545 Pounds). The tent helped to protect part of the dig from the elements.

The campaign was started on June 14, 1996, by His Excellency Ambassador Sir and Lady Prendergast, at a tea party given at the British Embassy Residence in Istanbul. Friends remember the support of Sir and Lady Prendergast with gratitude.

On May 13, 1996, the volunteers who joined the campaign were, given a briefing on fund raising techniques by Mr. Erdal Yildirim,

secretary general of Bogazici University Alumni Association. We are thankful for Mr. Yildirim's effort.

Those who joined the campaign came from different walks of life and from different regions of the country. This unique grass roots support movement, which could have accomplished a lot more, faded away as the support for the project was taken over by sponsors.