© Marzenka Krejcirik
Two caring brothers from Bettembourg teach us all a lesson in kindness as they raise funds from their home-made Christmas cards to help Luxembourg's less fortunate.
For the past five years nine-year-old Matthias Krejcirik has followed an annual tradition around this time of year... and it’s not writing his letter to Santa.
Along with the help of his younger brother Jamie, who is seven, the boys design and make a unique selection of Christmas greeting cards for sale.
The proceeds of the sale are then used to buy clothing to help keep people who are living on the street warm.
Specifically, the funds raised are used to buy gloves, scarves, hats and blankets for as many homeless people as possible around Luxembourg City.
The boys' mum Marzenka explains that once the cards are all sold the family will go shopping and choose the items to be distributed together.
The kind gesture sees the boys and their parents donate the warm clothing in person to several homeless people.
Marzenka, who herself is heavily involved in volunteerism, working with Amana Humanity, says Matthias has had a strong awareness about the need to help others and make a difference since he was little.
"When we are in the City we will always stop to talk to homeless people and buy them food. He has been seeing this from a young age."
Marzenka also credits Matthias's enthusiasm to assist others with a book that he enjoyed reading when he was younger called Harry and the Dinosaurs go Wild. The tale follows Harry who goes to a safari park and discovers some animals are in danger of becoming extinct and wants to save them.
"The moral of the story is that no matter how small you are you can make a difference. I think it is a similar concept for Matthias."
The boys, who are P5 and P2 students at the International School in Mondorf, invested a lot of their free time, both on Saint Nicholas Day and after school, making their unique cards which feature pretty drawings and pictures of Christmas trees and nativity scenes.
Matthias began his venture in 2020 when he was only five years old, making a total of seven cards. At the time he was able to buy a hat, scarf and blanket for one homeless person. Since then, his commitment to helping has only grown and this year they are hoping to donate to as many people as their funds will allow.
"The people they are helping are always appreciative and happy to hear the story behind it," adds Marzenka.
If you would like to buy a Christmas card or donate to the boys' fund contact Marzenka Krejcirik via Messenger on Facebook or at marzenka.krejcirik@gmail.com
