‘Getting happy while sleeping’ hopes to be able to supply children’s beds where they are needed most. Photo: Solidair Groningen & Drenthe
‘Getting happy while sleeping’ has officially started in the municipality of Hoogeveen. Via an online kick-off Tuesday afternoon, all collaborating partners thought about the best ways to get the beds to those families where they are needed most. The project will run until December 31 this year.
This project draws attention to (the consequences) of silent poverty. “Poverty is more than having to live on little money. The consequences of poverty on a person’s life can be significant. Poverty deprives people of what used to be self-evident or what often seems self-evident to others. Because of shame, all this is often not talked about and so many families have secrets that remain hidden from the outside world (also from care providers). So-called ‘quiet poverty’. One of those secrets is that children don’t have their own bed,” says Annemieke Tolsma, senior social activation worker at Solidair Groningen & Drenthe. This organization set up the project in collaboration with SWW, Stichting One, Dorpscoöperatie HollandscheveldVerbindt, De Vonk Tilburg and Stichting Present Hoogeveen.
Together with local aid and volunteer organizations, the aim is to provide 78 children in the municipality of Hoogeveen with a new, complete bed. “In addition, we offer free training for all professionals and volunteers in Hoogeveen who work with families in poverty.”
Money for the first 55 beds in
With the contribution of, among others, the province of Drenthe, Fundatie Sobbe and donations from companies and private individuals, there is now sufficient financing to start with ‘Slapend Geluk’ in Hoogeveen. Thanks to the donor campaign via Geef.nl and the Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp, money has been raised for at least the first 55 beds.
Tolsma makes an urgent appeal: “Are you or do you know a family that needs a bed? Or are you, as a professional or volunteer, interested in training about the experience of poverty? Please contact one of the project leaders.” You can do this via Annemieke Tolsma, [email protected] or Merian Rozema, [email protected] †
More information about ‘Getting happy sleeping’ can be found at www.solidairgroningenendrenthe.nl †