A unique collaboration to give children equal opportunities for development
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On 6 November, ABN AMRO Foundation, Stage Entertainment Nederland and Van Hoorne Entertainment teamed up to put a smile on the faces of 3,000 schoolchildren. It was a welcome moment of joy for these youngsters, many of whom are growing up in relative poverty. The children were given special music lessons with guest teachers before attending a performance of Rapunzel the Musical at the AFAS Circustheater in Scheveningen. Mariëlle Paul, the outgoing Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, was also present. On 6 November, ABN AMRO Foundation, Stage Entertainment Nederland and Van Hoorne Entertainment teamed up to put a smile on the faces of 3,000 schoolchildren. It was a welcome moment of joy for these youngsters, many of whom are growing up in relative poverty. The children were given special music lessons with guest teachers before attending a performance of Rapunzel the Musical at the AFAS Circustheater in Scheveningen. Mariëlle Paul, the outgoing Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, was also present.
Other stakeholders contributing to this special event were the Youth Education Fund (Jeugdeducatiefonds), which selected the 63 participating schools, the Foundation for More Music in the Classroom (Stichting Méér Muziek in de Klas) and the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture (Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur). In addition to the special lesson on Rapunzel given by staff from the organising partners, music teachers were on hand to teach the children a song and dance from the musical. If any of these children are so inspired by the performance that they want to take extracurricular music or dance lessons but their parents can’t afford them, their teacher can submit an application to the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture to cover the fees.
“Not all schools require parents to pay towards field trips for the simple reason that many families don’t have the money. This is the fifth time that ABN AMRO Foundation has funded a musical performance for schools that have fewer resources to organise extracurricular activities for their pupils,” says Robert Swaak, CEO of ABN AMRO. “I’ve had the pleasure of being in the audience on several occasions to see for myself what a highlight it is for these children, and it never fails to move me. You would wish such an experience for every child.”
“It’s great that 3,000 kids got to enjoy a musical this year,” said Hans Spekman, Director of the Youth Education Fund. “An escape from the financial stress so many of them face every day. A chance to let their imaginations run free and have fun. It’s a wonderful way to work together to help ensure that all children have the same opportunities for development.”
Walter Drenth, Managing Director of Stage Entertainment Nederland, says, “We’re very proud of this unique collaboration, which has enabled us to give so many children a full-on theatre experience. With the special lessons, the chartered coach trip to Scheveningen and of course the musical itself, we hope it was a truly unforgettable experience for them.”
For over twenty years, ABN AMRO Foundation has been committed to helping children whose environment offers them fewer opportunities than their peers have. It organises programmes and projects in which employees can make an active contribution to society. Since 2019, ABN AMRO Foundation and Stage Entertainment Nederland have worked together to improve opportunities for children through a programme of classroom instruction and a visit to a musical. This year featured Rapunzel the Musical, which brings to life the fairy tale of Rapunzel, the inquisitive princess with long, magical hair.
*Photographer: Wesley de Wit