Dutch, Belgian youth to build houses

CEBU, Philippines -  Thirty five youth delegates from Haarlemmermeer in the Netherlands and Kortrijk in Belgium are in Cebu City and will help build houses for poor Badjao families here.

The volunteers are participants of the 6th Multi-City Youth Exchange from July 15 to August 15, a program organized by the city government in coordination with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

Anchored on the sister city relationship between Cebu City and the City of Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands, and Kortrijk, Belgium, the program aims to promote knowledge-sharing, cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, and development service among young global citizens.

Filipina-Dutch Ruby Cumba-Langeveld yesterday said 25 volunteers come from Haarlemmermeer while 10 come from Kortrijk. They will build four houses in Barangay Mambaling.

Langeveld said the will also undergo immersion activities that cover various areas, including environment, children, education, health, culture and heritage, and leadership.

Langeveld, who has lived in the Netherlands for 37 years, said the youth delegates will also visit sister-city projects like in the Operation Second Chance, Cebu City Medical Center, ERUF and some heritage site.

The delegates will also visit non-government organizations in Carmen, Cebu and in Badian. — (FREEMAN)