Photo Happietaria Happietaria, a pop-up restaurant run by students, will be in business in the former chemistry building on De Dreijen, during the month of April. The money the students raise will benefit an agricultural project in Haiti through the Tearfund. Resource interviewed co-organiser Eve-An van de Brug (20), an International Land and Water Management student. ‘Young people in the Netherlands have many more opportunities. This way, we can make a difference for others, a fulfilling feeling.’
Happietaria is a nationwide project which is organised in Wageningen once every two years. Wageningen students designed the menu and cook the dishes themselves. In 2019, the Wagening Happietaria achieved a record, raising 60,000 euros. During the covid pandemic in 2021, meal boxes were offered as an alternative.
This year, the Happietaria returns in its ‘normal’ form. The restaurant offers room for some 80 guests per evening. ‘We strive to raise 40,000 euros’, Van de Brug states. ‘All the money raised will go towards rural Haiti. The youngsters there have few opportunities, leading them to move to the cities where they may end up in criminal networks and activities. The project towards which our funds will go trains students to grow crops, keep books and do marketing. They are also given the use of a small plot of land, and after their training, they can, in turn, train other members of the community.
First dates
Organisers and committee members for Wageningen’s Happietaria are mostly recruited at student associations. ‘Many Christian associations are involved. They are the greatest source of volunteers’, Van de Brug states. ‘We started organising in September, and we do everything ourselves. Everyone is a volunteer. It is completely different from studying, and the goal is evident.’
Those wanting to grab a meal for charity have until the end of April to do so (reservations can be made here). In addition to the regular restaurant evenings, a first dates evening has also been planned. And there will be a market stall on Kings Day. On 29 April, Happietaria 2023 will be concluded with closing drinks. Now that the project is halfway, Van de Brug is positive. ‘Lockdowns made the previous edition difficult. This time, we are getting positive responses. We are on the right track.’
