On the occasion of Kadhija’s repatriation, we spoke to Dickey Franssen-Brader, Coordinator of Accompaniment Missions at Aviation sans Frontières Belgium.
How do you organize your children accompaniment missions? What exactly is the role of the ASF volunteer who accompanies the child?
Many of the children we accompany suffer from congenital heart defects that cannot be treated in their home countries. They are therefore operated in Belgium or France. Since their parents cannot obtain the necessary visas to travel, the children must be accompanied by one of our trained volunteers.
When we receive a request to accompany a child, we reach out to our pool of volunteers to check availability and begin making the necessary travel arrangements. Parents put their trust in ASF volunteers when they send their child abroad. Whenever possible, we ensure that the same volunteer who accompanies the child to Belgium is also the one who brings them back home after the operation. This continuity helps foster a sense of trust and reassurance for both the child and their family.
It’s important to note that all our volunteers have attended one or more training sessions, including first aid and pediatric reanimation, to ensure they are fully prepared to carry out their mission safely and professionally.
How many accompaniment missions does ASF carry out each year?
The number of missions we can organize largely depends on the donations we receive. On average, we aim to carry out around 20 missions annually. However, in an exceptional year with strong financial support, we were able to complete as many as 53 missions!
What kind of support does ASF Belgium need to carry out these missions?
Financial support is vital! Most of the children we help come from countries with limited resources, and airline tickets are often expensive. Whenever possible, we try to obtain discounted fares thanks to the continued involvement of former Brussels Airlines employees who support our activity.
Does ASF Belgium have any public initiatives planned this year?
Yes, absolutely! Throughout the year, we organize various events to both raise awareness about our missions and gather much-needed funds. These include the 20 km of Brussels, charity concerts, golf tournaments, and more. We’re always open to new ideas and warmly welcome any suggestions or proposals from the public 😊
