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Holiday Dreams Come True for Financially Struggling Families Through 'Everyone Deserves a Holiday' Initiative

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' (Everyone Deserves a Holiday) initiative helps people with financial difficulties afford vacations.
  • This year, the organization proactively contacts eligible individuals, simplifying the process.
  • Montserrat, a single mother, shares her positive experience using the program for a much-needed family getaway.

The 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' (Everyone Deserves a Holiday) program is making vacations accessible to individuals facing financial hardship. This initiative partners with various tourism providers and social organizations to offer holidays at reduced rates. This year, the program has streamlined its approach by directly contacting eligible individuals, eliminating the need for them to seek out assistance themselves.

Without these kinds of initiatives, a holiday is unaffordable.

— MontserratMontserrat's statement on the necessity of the 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' program.

Jeroen Marijsse from 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' explained that the organization now collaborates with the Uitbetaling Groeipakket agency. This partnership allows them to inform approximately 261,000 people about their eligibility for a subsidized holiday package. Marijsse noted a significant increase of over 25 percent in applications since this new, proactive outreach began, with many recipients expressing surprise at the program's existence.

We see an increase of more than 25 percent in applications. We also get stories from people who didn't know this organization existed.

— Jeroen MarijsseJeroen Marijsse of 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' on the impact of their new outreach strategy.

Previously, individuals had to prove their poverty to qualify for a social tariff. By utilizing data from the Uitbetaling Groeipakket agency, this requirement has been removed, lowering the barrier to entry. "By connecting the data now, the threshold is lowered," Marijsse stated, emphasizing the positive impact of this change.

By connecting the data now, the threshold is lowered. That is a good thing.

— Jeroen MarijsseJeroen Marijsse explaining the benefit of using agency data to simplify access to the holiday program.

Montserrat, a single mother of three, shared her experience, highlighting the importance of such initiatives. "A normal holiday is no longer affordable for me," she said. For her, the program provides a crucial opportunity for her family to spend quality time together away from the stresses of work and school. She is currently enjoying a week-long stay in Houthalen-Helchteren with her children through the organization Pierlewiet, one of the many partners in the 'Iedereen Verdient Vakantie' network.

You see your children in a different context.

— MontserratMontserrat describing the positive impact of a holiday on her family dynamic.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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