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French charity offers treasure hunt, Eiffel Tower fun to children who can't afford vacation

Associated Press
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Children wave during a live music concert, the Vacation for Everyone day event, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Wednesday Aug. 19, 2015. The French charity Secours Populaire brought children from dozens of different countries, including those living through war, poverty or natural disasters, to join kids from France for a day of summer fun, allowing even those with limited means to take a vacation at the height of the French holiday season. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

Mohamed from Algeria paints a multicolored model of the Eiffel Tower during the Vacation for Everyone day event at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Wednesday Aug. 19, 2015. The French charity Secours Populaire brought children from dozens of different countries, including those living through war, poverty or natural disasters, to join kids from France for a day of summer fun, allowing even those with limited means to take a vacation at the height of the French holiday season. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

Children put little flags on a giant globe during the Vacation for Everyone day event at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Wednesday Aug. 19, 2015. The French charity Secours Populaire brought children from dozens of different countries, including those living through war, poverty or natural disasters, to join kids from France for a day of summer fun, allowing even those with limited means to take a vacation at the height of the French holiday season. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)

A French charity has brought children from around France and other countries to meet the prime minister and play in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, part of a larger effort to provide summer fun to those who can't afford to take vacation.

Secours Populaire says it and partner organizations have brought children from dozens of countries, including those from areas hit by natural disasters in Nepal and the Philippines.

A group of children met Wednesday morning with Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Others then fanned out around Paris on a treasure hunt, while others played on the lawns beneath the Eiffel Tower.

The event is organized at the height of the French holiday season and foreign tourist season to support the needy.