2023-12-25 17:42:30
For them, it’s a big breath of fresh air. Around a hundred unaccompanied minors, all from Africa, were able to enjoy a Christmas meal in the premises of the Isère delegation of Secours catholique in Grenoble (Isère), this Monday, December 25. This is the first time that the association which acts against poverty and exclusion in France organizes such an event for them in the town.
Unaccompanied minors are migrants who have arrived in France without their family and without proper papers. They are therefore not recognized as adults or minors. While waiting to appear before a children’s judge (between six and eight months) to find out if the Department can take care of them, unaccompanied minors are helped in particular by Secours catholique.
“I’ve never been to a party like this.”
The main room of Secours catholique in Grenoble welcomed around a hundred unaccompanied minors for a Christmas meal. © Radio France – Romain Bitot
The association can, for example, help them find accommodation, because upon their arrival on French territory, unaccompanied minors have no place to live. This is the case for Nicolas, for whom the Christmas meal, which includes a typically African dish, made with peanut sauce, chicken and rice, is a break from his daily life. “I’m all the time, in the streets, in the forests. It’s not easy at all”he says. “It’s been a long time since I enjoyed myself like that. I have never been to such a party and I pray to God that it continues.”
Mohamed, who arrived in France via the Mediterranean a year ago, is of the same opinion. “We in Africa don’t have the chance to celebrate Christmas. This is our first Christmas in France! Really, we can’t wait to go to the buffet“he rejoices, while emphasizing the convivial nature of the event. “It’s a moment that allows us to discuss our journey, to exchange our ideas and that is priceless.” Today, thanks in part to the help of Secours catholique, Mohamed is studying CAP hotel management in Voreppe (Isère), and he has found accommodation.
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For her part, Éva, a member of the association, is delighted to see the people she supports on a daily basis being happy. Especially since she and the other volunteers did everything to make the unaccompanied minors feel comfortable. “I think they will be happy”, she says. “In addition, we cooked specialties from their home, so it will do them good because French cuisine, sometimes, is not really to their taste! It’s also good for them to be able to chat and play board games together. For minors who are housed and for those on the street, Secours catholique is a place of comfort.” After the meal, other festivities were planned such as dancing.
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