Martin Garrix on his support for SOS Children's Villages
When did you first hear about SOS Children’s Villages?
I first heard about SOS Children’s Villages through my parents. They were always very fond of supporting the organisation, and for me they are the perfect example that a loving home is very important. They have always provided me with one and they would say ‘Martin this is amazing, what we do for you, they do this for kids all over the world’.
Why did you decide to support SOS Children’s Villages?
I love kids. They are so pure, so loving, so friendly. They don’t judge, they are truly themselves.
Every kid in the entire world deserves a loving home, deserves a family, someone caring about them, caring for them and guiding them in the crazy world we live in.
I visited some of the SOS Children’s Villages and have seen the work there myself. I think that triggered me to become even more involved and to support even more. I saw with my eyes how much joy those kids had, even if something had maybe happened in their pasts. It’s amazing. And I met the mothers who help raise the kids. I fully stand behind this organisation.
Can you share a special memory from a visit to one of our Villages?
All the visits have been super special. But for me Cape Town was magical. I was DJing, and I could see how much joy music gives to people. I remember there was this one kid, he was in the back by himself. I think I played for around 45 minutes and it was just him by himself dancing and feeling the music.
Afterwards he came up to me and just hugged me and said ‘thank you’. I was like wow, It was amazing. It’s so powerful what SOS Children’s Villages does and how powerful music is and the fact we could combine it was really special.
I would love to see the kids again at the Village. Hopefully, they will remember me and we will do the DJ set again.
A few of them knew who I was, but I don’t think it really mattered. For them, it mattered that someone came there and played them music. The whole trip was not for me, it was for them. I don’t care about Martin Garrix. I care about the kids there and every single person had a smile on their face. And that to me was the perfect day.
How important is family to you?
For me, my family is everything. They have shaped me into the person I am. They have supported me since the day I decided I like music, and I want to do something with it. My dad and I built this DJ Marty booth when I was about eleven. I would DJ at local weddings and school parties, and my dad would drive me around.
Did your upbringing and the relationship you have with your family influence your decision to get involved with SOS Children’s Villages?
The way I’m raised with the amount of support and love encouraged me to be even more involved with SOS Children’s Villages, because I want every single kid to feel that love, that happiness, to feel that message that you can chase your dreams, you can do anything possible as long as you have people who believe in you.
What is your message to young people with big dreams?
My message to young people with big dreams is anything is possible. Don’t be scared of your own dreams. The moment you think it is going to happen, you are already one step ahead. If you are afraid and you are like oh no, I’m not sure if this will happen, you are a step behind. Of course, you still have to work hard, but you are already in the right mindset.