Publisher Media Fresca dedicates its Kingstreet+ networking dinners to charity. Before starting this, we asked ourselves: which charity really suits us?

We chose language development in children. As journalists and content creators, we work with language every day. Reading and writing open worlds, expand opportunities and give self-confidence. That is why we want to commit to children, because they pick up language the quickest and can make a strong start.

Language development among children in disadvantaged neighbourhoods is particularly close to our hearts. Children who struggle with language often fall behind at an early age, and it is difficult to catch up. Reading comprehension, social interaction, self-confidence, language touches everything.

Editor-in-chief Annerieke Simeone knows from experience what language deficiency can do to someone. "My Italian father, who came to the Netherlands in the 1960s, never really mastered the language here. In big decisions, such as banking or mortgage matters, he always depended on my mother. Those who speak a language well are less dependent. We wish the same for these toddlers."

Kingstreet+

With the proceeds from our networking dinners (under the name Kingstreet+), we want to ensure that children get a better start and can develop optimally, without that disadvantage.

This year we are supporting the Dr J.A. Gerth van Wijkschool in Laak, a neighbourhood where many children grow up with a different mother tongue.

Support for the Dr J.A. Gerth van Wijkschool in Laak

The Dr J.A. Gerth van Wijkschool in Laak has a diverse group of pupils, many of whom speak a different language at home. Language proficiency is crucial for their future: it determines their success at school, their social contacts and their chances in the labour market.

With the proceeds from our Kingstreet+ networking dinners, we help these children by investing in:

• De Voorlezer: a 'talking' pen that reads out loud each highlighted word or associated picture.
• Bilingual children's books: books in multiple languages help children understand stories first in their mother tongue and then in Dutch.

In 2025, Kingstreet+'s networking dinners raised €4,500.

Collaboration between the Residentie Orkest and KOO

Following a cultural partnership with the Meermanno Rijs Museum, pupils at the Dr J.A. Gerth van Wijk School are also being introduced to the world of classical music this year (2026) thanks to Kingstreet+. They are taking part in ‘Discover the Orchestra’, an educational programme run by the Residentie Orkest and KOO. Over the course of three years, pupils will explore every aspect of the orchestra: from a glimpse behind the scenes and meetings with musicians to making music themselves, conducting musicians and composing.

Three years of support for preschoolers at P. Oosterleeschool

Between 2022 and 2024, we were able to present a cheque to the P. Oosterleeschool in Moerwijk. This primary school has many pupils for whom Dutch is not the first language. Thanks to the proceeds from our dinners, we raised as much as €24,500, which we used to invest in, among other things:

• De Voorlezer: a 'talking' pen that reads out loud each highlighted word or associated picture.
• Bilingual children's books: books in multiple languages help children understand stories first in their mother tongue and then in Dutch.
• The BookaBookakast: an 'all you can eat' cabinet full of picture books.

Headmaster Mariska Wubben of P. Oosterleeschool:

"The BookaBookakast is our newest addition. The beauty of it is that children can first listen to their chosen book in a language of their choice and then in Dutch. Older children can also read on their own. It is a real success. Because they hear the story in their own language first, they then understand much better what it is about."

The children at P. Oosterlee School get read aloud from bilingual books.

Contribute to the future of these children!

Do you also want to contribute to language opportunities for children?

Then donate via:

SCOH The Hague, NL 68 ABNA 0257 805 451, stating Gift 17UD Dr J.A. Gerth van Wijkschool.

With your support, we will ensure that even more children get a strong language foundation and grow with confidence!