All fired up for the underprivileged!
The theme of 'de Warmste Week' for this year is the underprivileged. You wouldn't be surprised to learn that even in our community we've encountered some interesting stories on poverty and the underprivileged, as at least 1 in 8 people in Flanders are born in it.
Underprivileged? Huh?
People who are constantly deprived access to some of the fundamental rights all members of a civilized society have access to -like housing, jobs or education- are considered underprivileged.
The Flemish government bases this on six parameters: the monthly income of the family, the level of education of the parents, the employment status of the parents, the quality of the housing, the level of stimulation of the children, and the general health.
A family is considered underprivileged when they score at, or below a lower limit for at least three of those six parameters. That is the case for 1 in 8 Flemish people.
What is the Warmest Week?
The money we collect will go to 'the Warmest Week', a yearly charity event organised by VRT, the public broadcaster of the Flemish Community in Belgium. Two of their TV-channels, and two of their Radio-channels are combining efforts for this charity.
All donations will be added to the DWW Funds, where a specialised jury will divide the money over a selected group of projects proposed by organisations who work within the theme. Such projects could include allowing children more access to sports and hobbies, counseling single parents or providing tools to combat digital exclusion.
More information can be found on their website. (dutch)