It all began when Bronson Blue Kokkelmans, a Group 3 student at Sister Regina Primary School, told his Oma, Maril Kokkelmans, in the Netherlands he had to bring his own books to school because Hurricane Irma took them all away. As grandmothers do, she leapt into action and posted Bronson’s story on the Dutch city of Geleen’s official website. News spread quickly after that and Bronson’s Book Club was born.
Not only did the entire community donate books, but so did John F Kennedy School in Maastricht. Bronson’s Oma and Opa Chris sorted and packed a dozen large storage boxes with more than 1,400 Dutch children’s books. Boxes were shipped to St. Maarten free of charge. Bronson’s dad Roel collected the boxes and delivered them to the school. Principal Samantha was extremely grateful, saying the books will be used start a library and book exchange programme. Bronson said, “My Oma sent all these books, so I can read Dutch books with my friends in school. We can read a new one every day.” Oma was simply happy to help and would do it again in a heartbeat.
