For 25 years, Ethiopian adopted children have been gathering for a camping weekend in Reek.

Over 60 guests came to Reek this year for the annual Ethiopian camping weekend. Marij de Bruin explains how the weekend, specifically for adopted children from the African country, came about. She herself, together with her husband Chris, has adopted three Ethiopian children.

A small group of parents spontaneously camped here with their adopted children. That is where the idea arose to invite more people. With children from Ethiopia. That way, they can get to know each other.

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A boy and a girl have been coming to Reek since they were little. “It is always nice to see people who have been through the same thing,” says the boy. The girl, who lives in The Hague, says: “We all talk to each other, and some of us see each other outside of this weekend as well.”

There were all kinds of activities to do at the campsite. For example, coffee was made in the Ethiopian style and rolls were baked in an African way.

New Year

The camping weekend is always held in mid-September. That is no coincidence. “The Ethiopian New Year falls on this weekend. They use a different calendar than we do. They have thirteen months. The last one is the shortest month. We consider the New Year a great opportunity to combine this event,” says De Bruin.