Giving something back

Caring for and giving back to the community has always been central to Sibos and 2022 is no exception. We’re delighted to announce that Sibos is supporting local association Samen Lachen (Smile Together) Foundation this year.

Samen Lachen provides underprivileged children with opportunities to escape challenging home environments with amazing day trips to museums, zoos, amusement parks and much more. Not all children have the privilege to enjoy regular outings. Whether there’s no money for it, or they live in a difficult home situation, these children have the right to have fun and Samen Lachen gives these children a relaxing, creative and fun day out.

The Foundation, which was established in 2006, organises an outing once a month for children between the ages of 4 and 12 in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam, Groningen and Eindhoven. The outings not only enable children to enjoy new adventures and learning experiences, they also allow parents to enjoy some vital time to rest and recuperate that they might not normally have.

In the Netherlands, more than 7% of households live below the Dutch poverty line, including hundreds of thousands of children. They don't always get enough to eat, have new clothes when they need them, go on holiday or go on school trips. Children shouldn’t have to worry about these responsibilities, and social outings give them the chance to interact with their peers and build new friendships in a positive environment. Samen Lachen’s goal is to make these children feel like royalty for one day! It works with organisations such as food banks and youth groups to identify children who could benefit from its important work.

Stéphanie Gerniers, senior events and communications specialist at SWIFT, said: “Sibos has always looked to partner with local organisations who focus on children and education and for whom our support will have a significant positive impact. The experiences that Samen Lachen provide for the children in their care are truly inspiring.”

Janine Sinnige at Samen Lachen said: “The last few years have been tough for families in need, and children in particular, throughout the Netherlands. Cost of living expenses like food, rent, and gas have increased dramatically which has added a lot of strain on families across the country. We rely on donations from generous individuals and businesses to give children some well-deserved fun, so becoming Sibos 2022’s charity partner will be invaluable to us and we are incredibly grateful for the support.”

Details of how participants of Sibos 2022 can contribute towards the work of Samen Lachen will be published in due course.

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