AMSTERDAM - A small step was taken this week at The College Hotel in Amsterdam in the fight against child poverty in Curaçao. A successful fundraising dinner, organized by the TMMK foundation under the motto "Every child must eat," raised €75,000. This amount is intended to eventually provide daily meals for 1,200 underprivileged school children in Curaçao.
Established in 2017, TMMK's mission is to improve the nutrition and thus the development opportunities of children in disadvantaged situations. In Curaçao, where, according to the organization, a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line and four percent of school children do not receive adequate nutrition, this aid is crucial. Currently, the foundation supports over 600 children in more than 30 schools.
“It's great to see how much support we receive, both from the Netherlands and from Curaçao itself,” says a spokesperson for TMMK. “This evening not only symbolizes charity but also the strong bond between the Netherlands and Curaçao and the collaboration between the public and private sectors.”
The dinner, provided by the Mondi Restaurant in Amsterdam, was made even more glamorous by the presence of well-known Curaçaoan and Dutch personalities, including Izaline Calister, Jandino Asporaat, and Jasmine Sendar. Their presence emphasizes the broad support for this initiative.
Since 2020, the government of Curaçao has supported TMMK's efforts with subsidies, allowing the foundation to continue and expand its work. "This collaboration between government and private initiatives is essential in our fight against poverty. Every contribution helps us make a lasting difference," says the TMMK board.
The proceeds from the dinner contribute to TMMK's goal of eventually providing three meals a day for 1,200 children. "We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations and the heartwarming support. Every euro brings us closer to a Curaçao where every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy," the spokesperson concludes.