Belgium/Theux: ASBL "Enfants de Birmanie" appeals for donations to help earthquake victims
An association based in Theut, which has been helping Burma's destitute children for 15 years, is redoubling its efforts by launching an appeal for donations following last Friday's earthquake. Patricia Longrée founded her non-profit organization "Enfants de Birmanie" after falling in love with the country and its people during a trip 25 years ago. The association's president has launched an appeal for financial donations on the association's Facebook page and website.
"I'm trying to collect as many donations as possible, especially via our Facebook page. We're trying to collect money, and only money, because we can't send anything there because it's too expensive", explains Patricia Longrée, president of the ASBL.
In addition to collecting donations, an exhibition was launched on March 20, and part of the proceeds will also be donated to those affected by the earthquake, as Patricia Longrée explains: "It's an exhibition by two Burmese artists. One is a watercolorist, with some thirty of his works on display. The second artist is a charcoal artist, with around ten works available. All proceeds from the exhibition will go to the painters, and they have pledged to donate 10% of their profits to the victims.
The "Duo Birmanie" exhibition is available until April 30 at the Centre Culturel de Theux during opening hours.
Creation of the association
Patricia Longrée founded the "Enfants de Birmanie" association some fifteen years ago, after falling in love with the cause during a trip to Burma. "We're a very small ASBL, with 7 volunteers on the board of directors. I've been going there for 20 years now, and I still spend several months a year there, setting up our various projects", explains the association's founder.
Numerous projects
Since the ASBL was founded, numerous projects have been carried out to help and improve the lives of the Burmese people. "We started by digging wells, because water is the most important thing. We've helped orphanages, and built a small English school in a village, which has now expanded and is hosting other courses. We also propose that donors sponsor Burmese children to enable them to follow a more or less normal schooling without financial problems," adds Patricia Longrée.
In Belgium, projects such as Christmas markets and tourist rallies have been set up. There are also cooking workshops and, in the near future, a Burmese puppet workshop, all of which raise money.
Source: www.rtbf.be/
