British News Agency

Rob Jetten in the Netherlands visited Stichting Speelgoed- en Kledingbank and Stichting Ieder Kind een Sint in Vriezenveen and reviewed the work of volunteers.

Jetten said some families were unable to provide basic needs for their children, such as clothing, school bags or computers, and added that it was also unacceptable for some children not to receive gifts on their birthdays or during the Sinterklaas period.

Jetten said the work of organizations providing support to children was important and noted that he spoke with volunteers during his visit to Vriezenveen.

Jetten said he also spoke with young people in Almelo about their experiences of growing up in poverty during childhood and said he was deeply affected by the stories shared by young people serving as ambassadors for Fonds Kinderhulp.

Jetten said, “Reducing poverty, and child poverty in particular, is an important priority for the government. Because everyone needs to be able to participate in life.”