Burgumer children have day of action against poverty

Translated by Thomas Ansell

Today, Thursday, is an ‘action day’ against poverty in Burgum (municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel), which will see a drive for donations at the clothing and toy-bank in the town, and all volunteers associated with poverty relief being treated to a special christmas dinner, by local school children. Around 600 kids are participating in the initiative. As reported in the Omrop Fryslân.

“We will have a lovely, large, day of action with all of the children in Burgum from the three schools. It is a lovely month, made even better by the children themselves coming up with this wonderful initiative. They have been inspired by the game BAAS, which was inspired by KEaRN Welfare. The kids are hoping to get lots of donations of clothes and games, for the local clothing and toy-banks”, said Doeite van der Lijn from KEaRN, a charitable organisation that works to alleviate poverty in the municipalities of Achtkarspelen and Tytsjerksteradiel.

The children themselves came up with the idea: “the kids are very creative, and they have come up with this idea along with their schools. We shall shortly begin taking all of the sacks of donated items”, added van der Lijn.

“This is a beautiful initative, but together by two girls: Marijke and Henriëtte, who thought to take their own cation to held the clothing and toy-bank in Burgum. I am so happy with the idea, and happy that our entire school is joining in”, said the head of a participating school. In the municipality of Tytjerstadiel, around 100 households make use of food-banks.

BAAS, created by 8D Games, was developed in collaboration with KEaRN, to introduce children to the Netherlands’ poverty issues. In the game, children play as a dog, who wanders around the streets (using augmented reality) so that children can look at poverty in their own streets, villages, and towns.

To donate to KEaRN, or to find out about this and other initiatives, just visit their website.

Image via Burgum.frl