Gonca & Devrim Support Fund

In January 2009, Muruwet Tuncer was stabbed to death by her ex-partner, Cengiz Isiko in Hamilton. Her children; 14-year-old, Gonca and 4-year-old, Devrim were essentially orphaned when Cengiz so tragically took their mother’s life. Following the murder, Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO) established a trust fund for the children to access when they turned 18. The account was held at Scotiabank and within a short time, it was reported there was $5,000 in the account. Gonca recalls the account being set up but thought no more of it until the end of 2016 when she was told by Morteza Jafarpour, former CEO of SISO, there was $16,000 to $17,000 in the account and she should access her half, with Devrim's half to go to him once he turned 18. Gonca went to the bank and learned the account had been closed in April 2010 and now had service charges owing. Who closed the account and what became of the funds is unknown and bank records for 2009/10 are no longer available. Gonca reported the fraud to the Hamilton Police; however, with no bank records to tell the tale, neither Gonca nor the police believe any recovery is likely.
Gonca is now 24 years old, living in Hamilton, employed part-time with YouthCAN working to reduce youth unemployment. Two years ago, she began receiving counselling to help deal with the PTSD and anxiety she was left with since the murder of her mother and the death of her father when she was 9. Devrim, now 15, continues to live with the Jafarpour family in Ottawa but for reasons beyond her control, Gonca's contact with him is limited. Gonca says it would be a "dream come true" to have her brother in Hamilton with her, maintaining a "normal sibling relationship" and she has looked into obtaining "Siblings Access" through Family Court. Unfortunately, that process takes time and expensive legal representation and all proceedings would have to take place in Ottawa.
Through no fault of their own, Gonca and Devrim have been deprived of funds that were originally donated by the community for their benefit. This GoFundMe account has been established to replenish those funds in the hope that Gonca and Devrim will be able to see each other more often and possibly even be reunited someday. It is hoped the funds will assist Gonca and Devrim to live full, productive lives in spite of the tragic circumstances surrounding the horrific murder of their mother.