O, Kütahya’da üniversite öğrencilerinin “Remzi amcası”

The story of 67-year-old Remzi Telli, a shopkeeper in Kütahya, touches hearts and serves as an example to many. Having come to Kütahya approximately 33 years ago, Remzi Telli has touched the lives of around 1,700 university students in his shop in Servi Neighborhood. "My love for students brought me to where I am today," says Telli, sharing his story of becoming "Uncle Remzi" to university students with Kütahya Ekspres Haber. Telli stated that he has students from almost every province in Turkey, and that both current and graduating students visit him. He explained that he helps university students with every problem he can, saying, "I try to help students from within or outside the city with everything from accommodation and small needs during their studies to even transportation to and from their hometowns." “THOSE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS, THOSE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE, COME TO ME” Telli stated that every student he helps recommends “Uncle Remzi” to another student, and that students coming to Kütahya from outside the city especially find him through their friends' recommendations. Emphasizing that he treats every student like his own child, Telli said, “When our son or daughter comes, we do our best. Those who have problems, especially those who stay at home, ask, ‘Uncle Remzi, can you fix this?’ when their washing machine breaks down, or when their vacuum cleaner or refrigerator breaks down, ‘Uncle Remzi, is there a repairman?’ Since I usually know 70% of the repairmen in Kütahya, I tell them, ‘Look, I have many students. Show them the necessary care.’” “SOME COME WITH THEIR CHILDREN” Telli explained that he has been helping students since 2008 and has reached approximately 1,700 students to date. Telli stated that students usually call him "Uncle Remzi," and some even call him "Father Remzi," adding, "We still talk to children who graduated 10 or 15 years ago. They come here with their children and say, 'Here's Grandpa Remzi.' Some children ask, 'Dad, how many grandfathers do we have?' And he says, 'This is our grandfather in Kütahya. This is our father figure from when we were students; the one who helped us, opened his home, his arms, his shop, and helped us as much as he could.' Thank goodness they come." "I'VE KNOWN HIM FOR ABOUT 13 YEARS, AND I BRING MY SON TOO" Volkan Balıkçı, originally from Konya and a graduate of Kütahya Dumlupınar University (DPÜ) Mechanical Engineering, is one of the young people who met Remzi Telli during his university years. "I am one of Uncle Remzi's children," said Balıkçı, adding, "My friends knew Uncle Remzi, and over time I got to know him through them. May God bless him, he supported me a lot during my university years." Balıkçı stated that he never left Remzi Telli's side, noting that they have a story spanning approximately 13 years. Balıkçı, who settled in Kütahya after getting married, said he tries to come whenever he has the opportunity. Balıkçı said, "I have a 4-year-old son, and he loves his grandfather Remzi very much. He comes here, and he sees this environment with us. I'm getting my son used to it too." #kütahya #kütahyaekspres #student #university #help