Funded projects

NASCI is a diverse, multi-cultural organization helping children in the Brussels region. Its aim is to prevent children from living in unacceptable conditions, bearing in mind that in Brussels one child in two lives below the poverty line. They are based in a former warehouse which they own. It is visited daily by at least 20 women and their children. The building needs a certain number of repairs (mainly carpentry work) to the front door and to some windows at the front and rear. Invoices for a total of €1,208.40 have been submitted.

Without additional funding to that provided by the Wallonia Region (salaries et operating costs), it would be impossible to maintain a project in the heart of Charleroi dedicated to offering shelter to those in great distress. These are the victims of galloping poverty in the region who cannot be left out in the street, particularly in winter. In order to provide a reasonable welcome for them GEH has financed, in co-operation with the EC’s Local Staff Committee, the purchase of 25 mattresses and 5 bunk beds for young children to ensure essential comfort and hygiene requirements. This project has been financed thanks to the generous donation of the collection "Grand Froid 12".

The Clos Centre provides a welcome and rest area where meals can also be served. Showers and washing machines for the homeless are also provided. The boiler which supplies hot water for the 6 showers, bathrooms and kitchen is out of order and GEH has been asked to finance its replacement.

Set up in 1961, the FJM has almost 200 more or less regular visitors – young people aged from 6 and 26, mainly from Maghreb or central Africa. The FJM's goal is to support these young people in their personal and social development, through a welcome and listening programme, and projects (also intended to prevent youth offending). The digital fracture project is for secondary-school children (12-16) attending the after-school homework club run the FJM since October 2010. Increasingly, the children need access to IT tools for their schoolwork. In addition, high-quality computers and other equipment are needed to run graphics and audio-visual software for projects that young people are working on with assistance from FJM staff. This project has been financed in cooperation with Schuman Trophy.

Renovassistance renovates old buildings to provide disadvantaged families with decent, healthy housing at low cost. GEH is supporting a project in the heart of Brussels between Place St Géry and Place Ste Catherine. The ground floor is a meeting space where, every afternoon, volunteers welcome deprived local people living on their own. The four upper floors will be renovated and divided into two 2-bedroom apartments and a duplex with 4 bedrooms. They will house three very poor families (income below 80% of the threshold to qualify for social housing). This project has been financed thanks to the generous donation of Solidarity Subcommittee Stage Fall 2010. Follow-up report

The NGO L’ILOT asbl requested GEH contribute towards the renovation of three family rooms in an emergency home for unprivileged women based in Saint-Gilles. The home provides essential initial help to the women allowing them to build up their strength, develop a life plan and obtain independence. GEH’s has contributed €4,700 towards the purchase of furniture for the rooms. The renovation of the rooms themselves has been funded through contributions from other partners.