Amsterdammertje’ of the Year sounds gong

On Sunday 12 January Alexey Rahim is awarded as the Young ‘Amsterdammertje’ of the Year. Alexey visits Beursplein 5 and sounds the gong.

Alexey is half of a twin, his twin brother Maxim is severely handicapped, he has Down Syndrome. They are now 9 years old and Alexey often takes care of his brother. Helping him out of bed, feeding and help changing. He is not ashamed of his brother. VPRO made a documentary about the brothers and Alexey has shown that a disabled brother or sister is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something very special.

The newspaper Het Parool has organised the Young ‘Amsterdammertje’ of the Year competition for the past several years. ‘Ordinary’ citizens of Amsterdam who have made a significant contribution to the city are eligible for the prize. This year the Wikistad Foundation, in cooperation with the Discussion can be learned Foundation, has organised the second youth edition of the competition. The city of Amsterdam and Het Parool support the initiative. Children aged between 9 and 15 were eligible to apply over the past few months. Children also determined the most important selection criterion: the Young Amsterdamer should be someone who works selflessly on behalf of and sets an example for others.

For more information: www.wikistad.nl

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