When I became Miss Belgium, I told the people I wanted to help the country that received me with open arms. So the Pelicano Foundation contacted me and I became an ambassador of the foundation. Together with them I work for a better future for the poor children in Belgium.

In Belgium 1 in 5 children still grows up in poverty. That is more than 500.000 children. A big number that the Pelicano Foundation wants to reduce as quickly as possible. Due to child poverty, all these children do not have a full lunchbox when they go to school. They are often excluded or even bullied due to their poverty. So time for change.

And then the Pelicano Foundation offers support. They exist 14 years and they support more than 3000 children, from the day they met until the day they can earn their own money.

Pelicano fights child poverty in our country every day. Every child has the right to the same opportunities and deserves the same life with sufficient food, healthy living conditions (doctors, dentists), education : being able to go to school, buy books or computers, social activities like holidays with school or youth associations.

To achieve this, we count on the support of people, also companies, and indeed the Miss Belgium organisation. Together we can save children from poverty.

Pelicano uses an efficient method to help children in need. Tracking down poor children is important. Schools and the Social Affairs Department are very well aware of poverty situations in families. The more efficiently we can detect poverty, the faster we can save it.

The first thing we tackle to save children from poverty are the urgent primary needs. Such as food, clothing and healthcare. We have seen cases where children never had a warm meal at the age of five.

Once the basic needs in order, our support evolves from urgent to sustainable. Until the Pelicano child obtains his diploma.  They ensure that all financial support goes directly to the well-being of the Pelicano child.

Child poverty is understood worldwide as a violation of children's rights.

Children who grow up in poverty situations often think they will not be able to make their dreams come true.

That’s where I come in, I go to schools and I tell my story, I give them hope and I tell them that everyone can dream and go for his dreams!

I work as an ambassador of the foundation, I also do campaigns, also for their sponsors to help them raise money, I go to meetings of business people to tell my story also to help raising money.

Pelicano is my family, the care for the children is important, because the children are our future!