Introduction to Sinterklaas

Children of migrant families in the Netherlands are often not familiar with the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration. We all sing "Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers, wie stout is de roe" (which means that he who is good will receive sweets, he who is naughty a spanking)  but children of migrant parents often don't receive anything at all.... so,  have they been naughty?  At the council educational centre in The Hague centre, that is lead by Project manager Sjani Kalishoek, there are two groups that consist of people that are awaiting asylum. They are mainly single mothers and here and there a single father. The groups are being trained to work as "home care helpers"  Their children are in Dutch schools and as the time is getting closer to December the celebration of Sinterklaas is often talked about at school with the children (age group 4 - 7). For these festivities the council education centre would love to support these festivities by being able to give them a small gift and providing them with the sweets etc. that Dutch children will have when celebrating with their families. By doing this they are brought into contact with the Dutch culture and they won't feel that they have done something wrong because they didn't get any sweets or gifts.