Belgium

The Aspen team in Belgium chose to renovate and clean the Brussels-based Maison d’Enfants Reine Marie-Henriette Children’s Home for Mandela Day.

The regional Youth Court has placed some 120 babies and children aged up to 14 years at the home on a permanent basis primarily due to problems experienced within the family environment.

Many older children are also placed at the home on a day-care basis and both the children and parents are supervised by social workers in a bid to help them to hopefully recreate a loving, caring environment at their family home.

The Aspen Belgium team wished to make a difference for the children and staff at the Home so they engaged in a number of activities. Some of the rooms were redecorated with fresh, bright paint and embellished to further enhance the playing areas. The men converted an old kitchen into an additional playroom and the attic was also cleared to provide further productive space for childhood development.

While the new warm, clean rooms are a great enhancement for the residents and staff, the greatest gift was the care and affection that the Aspen team offered the children – something which is often not provided for by their parents. Hugs of appreciation and affection were lovingly shared and it was this sentiment that has encouraged the employees from Aspen Belgium to participate in the campaign again in 2016.