Pepinster a month after the flood: “Due to the damage, 200 children will not be able to go back to school in September.”

In mid-July, disaster struck in Pepinster. Heavy rains flooded the Vesdre River and caused enormous damage to the water meters high. One month after the flood, many families still have no place to live and 200 children are unable to go back to school. Maryline Langer, bailiff at Modero Liège, experienced the disaster up close and tells us her story.

“It's amazing. Pepinster looks like a war zone you'd see on television. I immediately started helping people, known or unknown,” she tells us. “Due to the flood, a colleague from the Modero office in Liège no longer had a place to live. I immediately brought my colleague, together with his partner and their dog, to stay with me.”

Today, the situation in Pepinster is still out of control. There is still debris and rubbish everywhere. “The solidarity of the residents of Pepinster has made way for a slightly more formal organization. But it's still very complicated.” For example, the Belgian army is only present in Pepinster after about a month to provide hot meals for residents.

The flood a month ago did not spare Pepinster's school either. 1 of the 3 school buildings was completely destroyed and must be demolished for the safety of children and staff. Another building is so damaged that an enormous amount of work needs to be done to welcome the children back in September. “Nothing is recognisable anymore. And nothing, anything, can be saved or reused,” says Maryline. “Due to the damage caused by the flood, 200 children will not be able to go back to school in September.”

At the beginning of August, Modero started a fundraising campaign for the school, where our employees set up campaigns to raise money. It is essential for us that Pepinster's children can return to a warm and safe school environment in September. When Maryline heard this news, she was immensely grateful. “I couldn't believe it at first. When I was little, I went to the school in Pepinster myself. My children are now going to school there and some of my family members work at the school. I had an enormous sense of gratitude. I even shed a tear when I heard the news.”

The school is also extremely grateful. “I'm mainly in contact with the teachers who need to redesign the classrooms and I get thanked every day. It's moving. The management is more than overwhelmed, but very grateful,” Maryline tells us.

Since the start of the fundraising campaign, Modero employees have not been idle. As a bailiff, Maryline supervises the school account and sees all donations coming in. At the moment, the counter already stands at 3,345 euro. Maryline tells us that, thanks to Modero's fundraising campaign, the school has already been able to make some purchases. “From a local supplier, they have already purchased laminators, cutting machines and other small office equipment, among other things.”

But in addition to teaching materials, the school also has to pay costs that are not covered by the insurance, such as:

• The demolition of a school building and the installation of container classes, estimated at approximately 35,000 euros.
• The reconstruction of a new playground.
• Assistance to affected families in purchasing school supplies.

Maryline is moved by the solidarity of citizens, yet they sometimes feel let down by local and national authorities. That is why Maryline and the school are very happy with all the support they receive from Modero's employees. A school can never get enough donations. “Every euro is important. So never think that what you want to do isn't worth it. Solid material will be distributed to affected children. A well-functioning school is essential to relieve exhausted parents. We need to create an oasis of peace for parents and children. An investment in the school is an investment in future generations. The well-being of the children is essential after more than a year of corona. They need to feel safe, wanted, surrounded and loved.”

Would you also like to contribute to the fundraising campaign?

Do you also want to contribute personally or from your company to the reconstruction of the Pepinster school? Then you can do this by making a donation to account number BE41 0689 4225 6310. In the transfer notice, put “Modero”. More information about the fundraising campaign can be found here recover.

Give Pepinster's children back the ability to do what children are supposed to do. Play and learn together.

Modero & Ecoles Libres de Pepinster, all your ensemble!