Care4Calais – caring for each other
Last week our CEO Ann and one of our volunteers Lida had the privilege of visiting Care4Calais; where they delivered essential supplies provided by the women at New Ground Co-housing who raised an incredible £1850.00.
Care4Calais
There are still about 700 refugees living in and around Calais. They are sleeping rough in the worst conditions, not allowed tents for shelter from the elements, and their sleeping bags and possessions are regularly confiscated by the police. Care4Calais is a volunteer run charity operating year round to deliver essential aid and support to refugees living in the UK, Northern France and Belgium.
Care4Calais have a regular weekly schedule so that the refugee community know when they are coming to the different sites and what services are provided. Every morning the volunteers choose their jobs for the day.
On this visit there were volunteers from Bedfordshire, Ireland, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, USA and Canada. Some are staying for just a few days, and some for several weeks or months.
Jess who has just started a 12 month contract told Ann that she is excited to work for Care4Calais and to make a difference to the refugees lives whilst they are stranded in France. Every day she is amazed by the people’s resilience and generosity despite the circumstances and people not always being kind to them.
Ann and Lida told us about their visit:
We arrived on Saturday and worked in the warehouse in the morning, sorting clothes and other donations. In the afternoon, we visited refugees to provide the various services.
We were in Rue de Judee for just over 3 hours on Saturday afternoon, delivering tarpaulins and blankets. We then supported the services of English lessons, phone charging, hairdressing, drinks and games. Chess, backgammon and football are very popular. All of the services were popular but especially the phone charging which allows people to stay in touch with their families and friends.
Lida provided interpretation for Care4Calais about an opportunity with the BBC, who would like to interview some of the Afghans for a programme about their journey. She found the Afghan people to be in a dire situation with little water and shelter, and she was happy to be able to interpret for them and the Care4Calais staff.
Meanwhile Ann was on hairdressing duty. This meant setting up the barber shop, arranging the chairs in a circle and giving out equipment. She describes the scene, “there was something very beautiful about watching these young men caring for each other. It was therapeutic for the barber, the client and for me too, to witness the care being reciprocated.”
On Sunday Lida cooked lunch for the volunteers and Ann packed up food parcels for the week ahead. It was a physically and emotionally tiring trip but it was worth it to meet so many people and learn about the reality of life there, we learnt a lot on our short visit.
As Ann and Lida were leaving the site a young man approached them with some blackberries he had picked for them to say thank you, it was such a kind human gesture and one that will stay in their hearts for some time.
We hope we will be able to return for a longer visit later in the year.
Here are some of the things you can do to support Care4Calais. Maybe start a fundraiser in your school.
