Kemal Saracoğlu

Dear Kemal and dear Andreas may your hearts always be full with love and happiness.

Soner Arifler. 
August 2000.

Source for the above photos:  http://kypros.org/News/Andreas/

An article by Jan Devletoğlu published by Sabah Online on the 7th of August 2000 made me feel deeply sorry right through my heart. Devletoğlu referred to a letter written by Kemal Saracoğlu, a 12-year-old Turkish Cypriot boy who is suffering from leukaemia. Devletoğlu’s article was entitled as “Kemal’s last letter”. “Lying in his death bed in London Kemal sent a rather moving letter to Andreas Vassiliou, a six-year-old Greek Cypriot boy who is also suffering from the same illness. Kemal and Andreas became Cyprus’ symbol. Thousands of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots mobilized to give blood with the hope of finding the right bone marrow donors for these two young Cypriots. Kemal’s letter was written in Turkish. The first message was sent by Andreas. Kemal responded. They exchanged messages and in their messages they were stressing the need to be strong to overcome their illnesses." In the same article the author refers to Kemal’s father as "...His eyes full with tears..." and quotes him saying "Let no more Kemals die”. Devletoğlu also wrote that the unfortunate father expressed his deep sorrow, anger, and great disappointment with the bureaucratic obstacles caused by the authorities for not sending the marrow found on time although the right one was found. “They condemned my child to death. We missed the train while we were waiting at the station."

Devletlioğlu then continues his article by letting us read the letter Kemal wrote to his fellow sufferer Andreas who was taken to U.S.A for treatment.

"Dear Andreas" wrote Kemal "I know you from your photos. You went to that church (Kemal is referring to Apostolos Andreas) I heard. Karpasia is one of my favourite places. You know why? During summer vacation my father, my sister and I went to Karpasia whenever we found an opportunity. We took photographs of those famous cute little free donkeys over there. We visited the churches in the region. I heard you paid a visit to this church (Kemal once again is referring to Apostolos Andreas) and prayed for me too. Thank you ever so much for this. I just want you to know that when I pray for myself I pray for you too. And when I feel well and returned to Cyprus I want to meet you and become friends. Let me tell you that I also have a strong desire to climb to the top of Troudos Mountains. I believe, this blood donation campaign organized for both of us will result in finding the right marrow and enable us to regain our health. Please do not hesitate to write to me whenever you wish or whenever you feel depressed. Goodbye for now.
Kemal Saracoğlu.

How touching...Can we understand these two unfortunate young Cypriots? And most importantly can we get their invaluable message they both want to convey to all of us? Yes to all of us who for many years forgot about humanly feelings and human virtues. For how many more years will we be overpowered by that evil desire to cut each others throats? For how many more years will the people of this island be under the threat of war? Is it all that difficult to come to terms with one another? Many throats were cut in the past...Who gained what? Who are the winners? Don’t you think we all are losers?

Kemal wants to climb up to the top of Troudos Mountains. Andreas will again wish to visit Apostolos Andreas. I wonder if they are aware that free travel in our small island is prohibited. Kemal has not seen Troudos and yet he wishes to go there. It is likely that elderly people tell him about that beautiful part of Cyprus. Yes! Young Kemal wants to go to Troudos and young Andreas to Apostolos Andreas. Can we now understand the feelings of those tens of thousands of people with their memories, houses and lands left on either side of the divide?

Dear Kemal, dear Andreas! I wish you both a very early recovery. Our prayers are with you. Please don’t be late Kemal. Troudos Mountains is waiting to welcome you. Lovely little free donkeys of Karpasia missed you a lot. They are very impatient you know. They are waiting to be photographed. I don’t know how old your sister is, but take her too as before. I am sure she will love to be there again. And you Andreas! You have to hurry up too. Apostolos Andreas is waiting for your visit. Don’t forget your candle. Who knows, you might even go there together with Kemal. I am sure you’ll be happy to accompany Kemal to Troudos.

You two became a symbol of solidarity among the people of Cyprus. You rekindled our hopes, our aspirations, and love for our country. May you both regain your health and be happy. May your hearts always be full with love!

S. Arifler.
8 August, 2000

İngiltere'de ölümü bekleyen 13 yaşındaki kan kanseri Kemal'in "kader dostu" Rum Andreas'a gönderdiği duygulu mektup yürekleri parçalıyor