Rats, moldy walls and danger of collapse: KSA Dikkebus sues building condition

“For years on end, agreements and promises were made to postpone or withdraw them again. Monday 11 July was the day on which we would finally start the move. The day that leaders, parents, children and sympathizers have been looking for for years. The day when this again did not take place because the City of Ypres has too short a budget,” writes head teacher Laura.

Collapse hazard

The youth movement mainly denounces the unsafe situation in the building. “For ten years we have not been allowed to go on our first floor because our building is collapsing. In 2015, part of the building burned down due to a short circuit in the electrical box. That means a loss of storage space, but above all the end of a location to give activity indoors.” (Read more below the photo.)

Whether in rain, hail or snow: the children have to play outside. “In the winter we wear thick sweaters and blankets, because only one heating system has been working for years. Our material becomes weak and breaks because it rains inside. Many walls have moisture stains or have been moldy for years.”

“Everywhere in the building there are chunks falling from the walls, there are holes, cracks and collapses. Recently the windowsill also collapsed, just like that… We have one tap where ice-cold water comes out. The tap leaks and it hangs just above a socket. “

Unwanted guests

The building is not only unsafe, it is also not properly secured. “We have had periods in which there were weekly burglaries. Smashed windows are replaced by a bit of plastic or a piece of wood.”

“We’ve had more and more problems with rats lately. The garage door, where they come in, is broken, so it has to be kept closed with a rope. The whole kitchen is full of excrement and urine. Play equipment and tent tarps are full of holes.”

“Courage begins to sink in our shoes”

The situation is hopeless for the leadership. “We are a good gang, we do everything voluntarily and we enjoy doing this very much, but we are starting to lose our courage.”

With the open letter, the KSA hopes that there will be a solution to “this hopeless situation”. “It is a cry for help to be able to continue to exist as a youth movement.”