Guldens for charity

Local broadcaster Radio and TV Gelderland has started a campaign early 2006 to collect guldens (the old Dutch currency, before the euro) for rebuilding Agape orphanage. Through radio and TV viewers and listeners were urged to search forgotten drawers and closets. Research has shown that there was still a total of 1.4 billion guldens (approx. 635 million euro or 760 million US$) present in Holland. 2006 was the last year this old currency can be changed for euros.

The score so far

The weekly consumer program Hallo Gelderland! focused on the Coins for charity action the whole year. In addition to that, viewers and listeners were urged to donate their old coins during other programs as well. And with success! The official and final score is Fl 557.975,50 (+/- € 253.198,25 or $ 327.283)! Thank you all very much!

Spending the money

Early 2005, Agape Child Care Center in South-Africa was struck by a large fire. Nobody was hurt, but the ruins were deemed unhabitable by the fire department. The children, who had already lost so much, again lost their home and their belongings. They had no other alternative but to move into converted sea containers.

The money that is raised by this campaing of Radio and TV Gelderland, will be used to rebuild Agape. The plans contain a main building, surrounded by a number of smaller homes. The main building will serve as a community center to the surrounding area, from which counselling, medical care, prevention and education will be offered.

The smaller homes will serve as permanent accommodation to groups of up to six children and a housemother. The idea behind it is to simulate as much of a 'normal' environment as possible. Additional benefit is that the homes can be lived in as soon as they are finished, and that as many as necessary can be built. The total costs of building one home are about € 10.000,-. Radio and TV Gelderland therefore tries to raise money for at least one home.