Her story began in a remote mountain village in Bitlis and, through unwavering determination and courage, reached extraordinary heights. Don’t forget Nuray Krein’s inspiring success story—you just might see her on the TEDx stage one day.

Nuray Krein is one of the “Kardelenler” (Snowdrops) supported by the Contemporary Life Support Association (ÇYDD). Her life began in a secluded mountain village in eastern Turkey, where the roads were often blocked for months by snow. Alongside the harsh geography, Nuray faced the devastating loss of both her parents at a young age. Yet, she steadily cleared each hurdle in her path, always choosing the road that led her forward.

Nuray Krein’s life story powerfully counters the commonly held belief that “you are defined by where you were born.” For her, being born into difficult circumstances may have been a disadvantage, but it was not a sentence. She believes the key to overcoming life’s limitations lies in perseverance and seeking the right knowledge.

She was never afraid to reach out to the right people, always patient in waiting for the results of her efforts, and, in her words, someone who “never stopped believing in miracles.” The first chapter of her journey, which began in a village atop a snowy mountain, concluded with her graduation from a university in California. Now, a new chapter begins—Nuray continues to chase dreams, hoping to inspire other girls from difficult backgrounds to stay determined and resilient.

Where were you born? Can you describe your village?
I was born in 1997 in Kayalı Village, a small settlement of just 15 houses in Bitlis. Perched atop a mountain and four hours from the city center, it was remote and isolated. The nearest hospital was two hours away, and the winters brought heavy snowfall. Although we had electricity, it often went out during the winter, so we only had reliable power in the summer. There was no running water—we fetched it from the village fountain. Each household had at least ten children, and the population hovered around 200. I grew up there with my 11 siblings.

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Tell us about your family.
My mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor while she was pregnant with me and sadly passed away shortly after I was born. The hospital was too far for her to get proper care. My father later married my mother’s cousin. When I was 11, my stepmother was diagnosed with cancer, and at 13, I lost my father to lung cancer.