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YouTube star Jamilla Baidou (28) is back from actually never being away. She is starting a new platform on which she wants to help people in need. “This is what I always wanted to do with my YouTube channel,” says the YouTube star who reaches 180,000 followers.
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Rebecca Van Remoortere
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Jamilla Baidou got to know Antwerp and the surrounding area a few years ago through her parodies of famous songs, she participated in The Voice of Flanders and tried to fill the Lotto Arena.
In recent years she has mainly made humorous videos for her 180,000 subscribers on YouTube. But now it’s time for a new Jamilla Baidou, she says. Humor makes way for serious business. With You Fund, Baidou is starting a new platform.
“I look for people who can use help in life. That could be anything. From people who no longer have furniture due to a house fire to people who cannot afford an expensive operation. I want to help them by looking for other people in my network who can mean something in one way or another,” says the Antwerp.
Jamilla announced her project earlier this week on her own YouTube channel. She opened a new account and on it she collects money from everyone who wants to contribute to the project. “But money is not all we need. In the meantime, I have also received many reactions from construction companies, furniture stores and other partners who also want to help with material support.”
On the other hand, Jamilla also received many questions from people who could use help effectively. “I received a message from a family that lost everything after a major house fire. They have been living with the grandparents for six months now because the insurance is not going to intervene for the time being. They themselves have no money to renovate their house. I also received a message from a person who needs facial surgery because his face was disfigured by cancer treatment. He needs an operation of thousands of euros.”
Sincerely
Not to assume the worst in people, but whether those people who ask for help are sincere? “I once had a girl talk to me in a video that talked about her difficult home situation and upbringing. Then I got private messages from acquaintances who said she was lying. I now physically visit the people I would like to help. I want to read them, I want to get to know them and I’m going to research them and their contacts. I want to make sure I end up with the right person.”
Jamilla starts her own charity this way. While there are also many existing charities, certainly in Antwerp. “I often have my doubts about charities. You deposit money and don’t know what exactly happens with it. With me people will be able to see and follow where the money is going. I think that is very important.”
The first step now is to find sufficient support for the project and then Jamilla, who has been living full-time from her social media for a few years now, wants to start with the first concrete projects within two months.
You can support the project or request additional information via [email protected]
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