Turkish aid body provides bus to rehab center in Peru

Turkey's state aid agency provided a shuttle bus to a rehabilitation center for homeless children in Peru, according to a statement on Friday.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) said the bus was donated to El Mundo Libre Institute (IML) in the capital Lima to be used in social and cultural activities and provide transportation to their campus outside of the capital.

"Turkey's support is very important to us. If it hadn't been for Turkish aid, our workshops for children and access to clean water wouldn't have been possible," Maria Luisa, head of the IML, said at the shuttle bus delivery ceremony as quoted in the statement.

The quality of education in the country is strengthening due to the direct support to children, who are the futures of the nation, she added.

Since its establishment in 1984, IML has been active as a non-governmental organization working to rehabilitate children with drug addictions, according to the statement.

It said the institute currently provides shelter and education facilities including vocational and art lessons for 60 children -- 30 boys and 30 girls.

Products made by the children in art workshops are sold by the institute, while the profit is used for the education and care of the children, it added.

TIKA provided equipment to the institution in previous years, the statement said, adding that the support is used for vocational training and teaching the children how to make chocolate, paintings, ceramics, and embroidery to help them lead a clean life.