About ROOS

HERMAN VAN VEEN SPEAKING
‘Imagine: a little Afghan boy, scarcely three years old, fleeing bombardements. He has nothing to eat, hardly anything to drink. THOSE children need a voice, their own place.

I have always wondered why government leaders gather round graves of unknown soldiers. That is
undoubtedly right, but in wars and conflicts we do not only mourn soldiers. Others, amongst whom
children, also suffer, while they often have nothing to do with this conflict.
Precisely for these innocent children there is not enough attention. We do care about those silent victims, about whom governments do not care and for whom there is no place.
The Monument for the Unknown Child will be such a place. A place where we commemorate the suffering that is inflicted upon children worldwide.
This monument will be an unforgettable place. An impressive place with those big stones upon
which children will be able to climb. We would like to see a little miracle happen, a place that belongs to everyone, that belongs to the world, surely that is a beautiful plan?’

Source: Yarden Magazine 4-2001
 

The International Monument for the Unknown Child                                                                                                                                              A monument of hope and faith

Roses for Children, part of the Herman van Veen Foundation, devotes itself to the protection of the rights of children to be treated equally, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion or nationality and to find love and understanding within their families and everyday environment.
With this wonderful initiative, an International Monument of the Unknown Child, singer and poet Herman van Veen, patron of Roses for Children, wants to call particular attention to the suffering of children. A worldwide monument dedicated to the memory of the many children whose lives were cut short by war, starvation, disease or other causes.
The International Monument for the Unknown Child is a monument in which large man-size stones from different parts of the world, come together in a circle of life. The heart of the monument portrays a rose. The rose as a symbol for the very core of things.
The monument creates a bond between the nations and the children of the world and expresses suffering, death and grief. Consolation at loss. It draws attention to the hardship some children suffer. To children who experience life’s darker side, being unwanted, exploited and neglected. Who are looked upon as incompetent and trouble some. Street kids, damaged kids, raped or forced to prostitution, bullied or battered. Kids who have been physically and mentally abused, who are physiologically disturbed, deeply frightened and hurt to the bottom of their souls.
With this monument we honour children. We remember the children who are no longer among us, and contemplate the lives of today’s children and the future of all children.
Eventually, 35 rocks from 35 countries around the world will be part of this monument. In the spirit of the rose, and indeed the monument, the countries involved are offered a rose plaque from which a Monument for the Unknown Child will be founded in those countries. This enables the message to be delivered all over the world and to raise awareness for the unknown child.