King receives three West Flemish people, including 14-year-old Lilith

Five years ago, Lilith – then eight years old – started posting videos online in the SMOG sign language, to speak with the support of gestures. To communicate better with her brother, but also to help others. In the meantime, Lilith has put almost 400 words online so that everyone can learn SMOG sign language. “If SMOG didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be able to talk to my brother and have such a bond. The king was impressed. He thought our story was very cool and listened well.”

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Geert Deraeve from Roeselare was also allowed an audience with the king. For almost 20 years, he has been putting a smile on the faces of sick children with his non-profit organization Kloen, with all kinds of actions and activities. And Nadia Kozem was also allowed to tell her story to the king. Ten years ago she had to flee the war in Syria. She now helps underprivileged people with food distribution and language lessons in Ostend and Bredene.