Hikmet Nazli, 50, has been living in Darulaceze for 19 years. He has never been married, but he never lost hope to find true love. He found it in Darulaceze with his girlfriend, Havva Balca.
Fehime Kaygisiz, born in 1925, came to Darulaceze in March 2011. She was married, but her husband died of a disease in Turkey. She has one daughter who is a teacher and who visits her mother every week.
Yurdaul Gurkan was born in Kadikoy, Istanbul, and is mentally disabled. I couldn't find out more information about her, because when I tried, she started screaming.
Kadriye Bulut, born in 1967, came to Darulaceze in April 2000. Her brain functions like that of a child. She mostly spends her days crying and playing with her things.
Sukran Senturk, born in 1931, came to Darulaceze in 2009. She was married, but her husband died. She has a son who works as a taxi driver. He got married, but his wife doesn't want Sukran to live with them under the same roof. Sukran told me that she hates her daughter-in-law very much.
Arzu Savasci, born in 1955, came to Darulaceze in 1999. When I asked if she was married, she responded, "How would marriage benefit me?" After that, I tried to understand and to ask more questions, but she lost control of her words and started mumbling.
Pembe Bilgin came to Darulaceze in 2012. She cannot see, hear, or walk. She has Alzheimer's disease.
Saadet Adiguzel, born in 1928, came to Darulaceze in 2006. She suffers from severe osteoporosis. She is unable to move her body, and her roommates say they check on her every day to make sure she is alive.
Darulaceze is a public care home that was established in 1895. When I went there, I saw all the elderly people like little children, innocence in their eyes that shows all they need is love and compassion. Each person at Darulaceze has a different story, but they each have one thing in common: a lack of love. I met people who suffered painful things in their life, faced death multiple times and survived. They are surrounded by others who suffered similar situations, and worse. The people give hope to one another. This is a beautiful thing. I met people with mental illness and psychological problems, yet those people smile and laugh. They are surrounded by people in this small place that's going to protect them until the end.
Fatma Kalam, born in 1947, came to Darulaceze in 2000. She sews and sells her work.
Remzi Cakal, born in 1955, came to Darulaceze in 2011. His wife died. His son does not want Remzi to live with him. When I asked Remzi why, he said, "I don't even care anymore."
Hulusu Kokcu has been at Darulaceze for 15 years. He has been married twice. He and his first wife got divorced, and his second wife died. He has one son. "All I can tell you about him is that I hate him," he says. When I asked him if his son visits him, he said, "If he dares, I will kick him out!"