Turkish ambassador wins recognition for giving children begging books instead of money

Turkey's Ambassador to South Sudan, Hasan Sevilir, has been keeping children's books in his car and distributing them to children begging for money from him on the streets.

The incident was discovered when the ambassador shared a post on his personal Twitter account along with some photos.

"The library is in my car! The joy of the children, mixed with astonishment, to whom I have given a book instead of money during a red light," said Sevilir, sharing a photo of a child as well as the books he kept in his car. 

The ambassador's demeanor has won wide recognition on social media, with many users congratulating him for this "fabulous" idea.

Sevilir told daily Hürriyet he found it wrong to give money to children begging and running to cars while they are waiting at red lights on the road or in other situations. 

"I am of the opinion that money means feeding the gangs using those children and encouraging this occupation [of begging]. I do not think any of the kids, who collect money by saying they are hungry, can spend that money to buy something to eat for themself," he said. 

"For years, I had been handing out food items such as chocolate, candies, apples, oranges, and bagels that I had kept in my car for kids in this situation to be able to feed themselves, but over the last couple of years, books have turned out to be more attractive and practical. Chocolates melt in the heat and fruits go bad. Books are the most durable and feed the soul. The left door's storage compartment of my car looks like a mini library," Sevilir said. 

"You hand them illustrated books into their small palms they have opened for money. First, they are confused and wait for money, but then they start to look at the book as if they...