La Chaîne du Bonheur: A Silver Lining in the Floods
If you thought a summer storm was just an excuse to complain about unpredictable weather while drinking wine, think again! La Chaîne du Bonheur just pulled together nearly 13 million francs to help those affected by the severe floods in Valais, Ticino, and Graubünden. That’s right, a bunch of good-hearted souls collected about as much as the average Swiss spends on fondue in a year, and we’re not even talking about the fancy stuff!
Let’s meet Antonietta Sido, 70, who’s making a dramatic return to her old neighborhood of Sous-Géronde in Sierre. After forty-seven years in her spacious apartment, which undoubtedly had room for a visit from the entire family from Italy on Christmas, she’s back—albeit with her heart in her throat. “Today, I no longer have enough room to accommodate them,” she laments, which is a nice way of saying she’s now working with a bit of leftover closet space for guests. Presenting a poignant portrait of loss, Antonietta is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and bad weather, the human spirit remains buoyant. Alas, her apartment is currently more akin to a soggy towel than a bustling family haven.
Unleashing the Power of Kindness
Enter Swiss Solidarity, with their superhero capes ready to catch Antonietta as she falls. Thanks to their emergency aid, which gifted her 8,000 francs—enough to buy essentials and probably some emergency chocolate—she’s managing to claw her way back toward a semblance of normalcy. “This sum came at a time when we really needed it,” Antonietta expresses, and you can almost hear the collective heartstrings being tugged from here.
And they say money can’t buy happiness? Clearly, whoever said that wasn’t waiting on a flood recovery check! Antonietta decided to take it a step further and recorded a heartfelt thank you message for the donors on La Chaîne du Bonheur’s social networks. You know, something like “Hey, you’ve made my life less miserable,” but in a more touching, dignified manner. If only we all showed gratitude as well as she does. But let’s face it—most of us would just send a sarcastic meme instead.
More Than Just a Safety Net
According to Jean-Marc Richard, ambassador for Swiss Solidarity, this isn’t just a random act of kindness; it’s a life raft thrown out in choppy waters. In emergencies, assistance is not just about helping people get back on their feet; it’s about saving lives. “We often forget that it is in emergencies that people need help the most,” he reflects, echoing wisdom that may have been lost in all those times we argued about the correct way to melt cheese.
Already, one million francs has been disbursed, aiding around 250 families. Let’s be real for a moment: that’s more than just helping with transitional costs like re-housing and transport expenses—it’s about giving dignity back to those who’ve had their lives thrown upside down faster than a politician’s promises.
That said, let’s not kid ourselves—financial help can’t mend emotional scars. For Antonietta, the trauma remains as raw as a piece of prosciutto without the wrapping. “At 70, I find it difficult to plan for the future,” she admits. It’s disheartening, particularly when planning future family gatherings now resembles making plans for a moon landing.
La Chaîne du Bonheur successfully raised nearly 13 million francs in the aftermath of the devastating severe weather that battered the regions of Valais, Ticino, and Graubünden at the beginning of summer. This generous sum will enable the organization to provide crucial emergency aid to those who have been left with little to nothing due to the catastrophic floods.
Antonietta Sido, a 70-year-old resident, returns for the first time to her former neighborhood of Sous-Géronde in Sierre. After spending forty-seven years in her apartment, a flood of memories and emotions rush over her as she revisits the place she once called home.
“The apartment was spacious; we often welcomed family from Italy to spend the night here,” she recalls with a tight throat, sharing her sentiments on Thursday during the 7:30 p.m. segment on RTS. “Today, I no longer have enough room to accommodate them.”
>> Reread: No one anticipated these events, explains Raphaël Mayoraz a month after the bad weather in Valais.
Help welcome
In the face of overwhelming disaster, the support provided by Swiss Solidarity proved to be a lifeline for Antonietta Sido, who lost everything to the floods. With the 8,000 francs she received, she was able to purchase essentials necessary to restore a semblance of normalcy to her life. “This sum came at a time when we really needed it,” she emphasizes, reflecting the critical timing of the support.
Recognizing the significance of this outpouring of solidarity, Antonietta Sido took a moment to express her heartfelt gratitude to the donors. She recorded a message intended for the social media platforms of La Chaîne du Bonheur, ensuring that their kindness would not go unrecognized.
More than 200 families helped
Jean-Marc Richard, an ambassador for Swiss Solidarity, highlighted the importance of timely emergency aid in situations of this nature. “We often forget that it is in emergencies that people need help the most. Then, everyone rebuilds themselves in one way or another, and for me, this not only saves people, but also lives,” he articulates, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of the assistance.
One million francs have already been distributed to address immediate needs, benefiting 250 families who are struggling to cope with the aftermath of the floods. Corinne Bahizi, the communications manager for La Chaîne du Bonheur, explains that this aid is currently divided into two critical components. It addresses both transitional costs, such as rehousing and transportation expenses, as well as residual costs that may not be covered by insurance.
However, financial assistance alone cannot soothe all wounds. For Antonietta Sido, the lingering trauma remains palpable. “At 70, I find it difficult to plan for the future, so I prefer not to think about it,” she confides, revealing the emotional toll the disaster has taken on her life.
Cédric Jordan/rehearsal
Short thank you email after interview
**Interview with Antonietta Sido: A Voice of Resilience Amidst Recovery**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Antonietta. Thank you for joining us today and sharing your story with us. You’ve recently returned to your old neighborhood in Sous-Géronde after the floods. How does it feel to be back in a place filled with so many memories?
**Antonietta Sido:** Thank you for having me. Being back here is incredibly bittersweet. This was my home for forty-seven years—a place filled with family gatherings and laughter. Now, it feels so different. I’m overwhelmed with both nostalgia and grief; my apartment that used to accommodate family has shrunk to a space that barely feels like home.
**Interviewer:** I can only imagine how hard that must be. Can you tell us about the support you received from Swiss Solidarity during this challenging time?
**Antonietta Sido:** Their support has been nothing short of a miracle for me. The 8,000 francs they provided allowed me to buy essentials and rebuild some semblance of my life. I was in a very dark place, and this financial help came just when I needed it most—it’s hard to convey how much it means to receive such kindness.
**Interviewer:** Your resilience is truly inspiring. You mentioned recording a thank you message for the donors. What message did you want to convey to those who contributed to La Chaîne du Bonheur?
**Antonietta Sido:** I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude. It’s one thing to say thank you; it’s another to show the impact their generosity has had on my life. It’s as if they reached out a hand in my darkest moment, reminding me that I am not alone in this.
**Interviewer:** That sentiment resonates deeply. It seems that beyond financial support, what you’re receiving is a sense of community, isn’t it?
**Antonietta Sido:** Absolutely! The support has been immense—not just financially but also emotionally. It reminds us all that even in the face of disaster, we have people who care. Those connections are vital for healing.
**Interviewer:** how do you envision your future moving forward?
**Antonietta Sido:** That’s a tough question. At seventy, planning feels daunting, especially as I rebuild my life. Each day is a little step towards recovery, but the emotional scars remain. I just take it day by day and try to find joy in the small things.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Antonietta, for sharing your experiences with us. Your strength and positive spirit are truly commendable, and we wish you the best in your journey ahead.
**Antonietta Sido:** Thank you for having me. I appreciate the chance to share my story.