Charity International Marveld Tournament
3 June 2023Represented by ‘Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur’
The fact that the International Marveld Tournament is a sporting event for the whole community, encompassing all age groups, is evident from the organization’s dedication to supporting a good cause every year. This year, the focus is on the ‘Youth Fund Sport & Culture’. This fund operates at the provincial level in Gelderland, with the municipality of Oost Gelre also participating. The fund provides opportunities for financially disadvantaged children between the ages of 0 and 18 to engage in sports or cultural activities of their choice.
In line with this, we have an interview with Johan Kruithof from Apeldoorn, chairman of the Stichting Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Gelderland, and Talie Wijlens from Lichtenvoorde, the initiator and spokesperson for Mazzel/Ondernemen in Welzijn. Johan chairs the board of Jeugdfonds, while Talie serves as the local contact for the Youth Fund in Oost Gelre.
In the Netherlands, one in 11 children grows up in poverty!
“The Jeugdfonds Sport has been operating in the province of Gelderland since 2009,” Kruithof explains. “In 2019, we were joined by the Jeugdfonds Cultuur,” he adds. “Thankfully, many municipalities in Gelderland warmly embrace the fund. Out of the province’s 52 municipalities, 26 are now affiliated. By 2022, we will have provided assistance to nearly three thousand children in those municipalities, which represents about 80% of children in terms of participating in sports activities. Our main focus is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate in sports or cultural activities. If there are financial barriers due to the family’s situation, the fund can provide support. It’s important to remember that one in 11 children in the Netherlands grows up impoverished. Additionally, the sports club serves as a significant social hub in every city or village. It’s crucial for all children to be able to be part of it. As a fund, we believe that in a prosperous country like the Netherlands, every child should have access to these opportunities.”
Mazzel serves as a point of contact in the municipality of Oost Gelre
In addition to Johan Kruithof’s contribution, Talie Wijlens mentions that Mazzel acts as a contact point and intermediary for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture in the municipality of Oost Gelre. “Our main activity is to share and disseminate the possibilities offered by the fund. We hope that this increased attention will lead more people to discover the Youth Fund Sport & Culture.
We are always seeking individuals who are in close contact with the target group. If you are interested in becoming an intermediary for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture, even if it’s just to identify, gather, and refer, you can do so through Mazzel. Let’s prevent children from being unnecessarily left behind.”
Michiel Krabbenborg, the local contact within the municipality of Oost Gelre, also believes that all children in the municipality should have the opportunity to participate in sports or culture. “Parents often pay for these activities, but if that’s not financially feasible, the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Gelderland aims to assist. Applications can only be made through recognized intermediaries. Once an application is received and processed by the JFSC Gelderland back office, our goal is to complete the process within three weeks.”
