Grønlandsposten 09-10-03
By Christian Schultz-Lorentzen

Arctic Import marks its 25th anniversary with support to children in Alluitsup Paa.

The South Test

The new centre for children and young people in Alluitsup Paa fulfils a significant need in the village where no other offers for leisure exist, says Ms Bente With, secretary-general for the Association Greenlandic Children who have just received Dkr. 44,000 from Arctic Import’s collection in connection with their 25th anniversary. 

As a result of the present of money the children at the centre Sikkersoq in Alluitsup Paa can look forward to a proper toilet with ventilation and a large terrace with space enough to play in direct connection with the house. Sikkersoq opened officially on 19th August this year and right from the doors were thrown open the first day it has been a popular place among the children of the village.

Like the association’s other centres Sikkersoq is a free offer to all children in the town between four and fourteen years, but the most important function is to offer support and security to those of the children who are marked by lack of care, says Ms Bent With.

The present of money is definitely a point of light for the unfortunate Alluitsup Paa and its 438 inhabitants; on 1st May this year the largest work place in the town - the prawn factory - closed. This has almost doubled the unemployment which has had serious consequences for many families. Apparently the factory reopens next spring, but the same number of jobs as earlier cannot be expected.