"This experience gave us the opportunity to meet people exiled from their countries, to know the reality of their lives, listen to them, help them and feel empathy and compassion towards them," explained Marie, one of the volunteers.
The intergenerational team consisted of members of the VIDES steering committee, three Salesian Cooperators, a member of the educational team of the Saint-Jean-Bosco school complex in Guines and several volunteers - including Sister Nathalie, a Congolese missionary who came with a young Syrian woman, a Muslim, welcomed into the community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Bruges; all had a common goal: to help the refugees they would meet.
On the first Sunday, after Mass in the church of Guines, the members of the expedition had the opportunity to participate in a role-playing game called "The Migrant's Journey", led by Pierre-Jean Allard, who came specifically to introduce them to the reality of migration. “All the concepts related to the condition and history of migrants have been dealt with in a very realistic role play on immigration,” said Claire, another volunteer.
Every morning there was a moment of prayer, followed by a formation session (on Salesian pedagogy, intercultural shock, the situation of migrants and refugees) and by a morning of eco-spiritual walks on the Costa d 'Opale, based on meditations taken from the "Laudato Si 'of Pope Francis. Sister Annécie Audate, General Director of VIDES International, shared via video the questions, beliefs and challenges of the organisation in the field of volunteering for migrants.
“But when it was my turn to go meet the refugees in the camps, it was a total shock. I couldn't believe it, I was shocked and angry, because it was unimaginable that people and children would be subjected to such an atrocity, and I said to myself, ‘This is the reality!’ And what moved me even more was my helplessness! I was even angrier and kept saying to myself, ‘Why?’” reported Sister Alessandra.
To support the volunteers in their service, Fr Daniel Federspiel, Superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco in France and Southern Belgium (FRB), joined them and had great success with his conjuring tricks and also introduced them to puppet shows, which they then shared with the refugees accompanied by Secours Catholique in Calais.
"Confronting the operators of Secours Catholique, being immersed in their work, feeling the sometimes terrible situations they face and at the same time seeing the joy on people's faces when we staged a puppet show, or admiring the children who danced and played with us holding our hands, was touching, beautiful, and gave us a renewed confidence in humanity! We hope for the best for them, despite the tragedies they risk living through again. And we hope that by spending time with them, offering them some joy, we could help them overcome difficult moments for a while, "Cendre testified.
What can this field offer young people? Here's what the volunteers reported:
"The young people involved can get to know migrants closely and develop greater compassion, solidarity and fraternal spirit. In this way, they can change the mindset and help open, or reopen, hearts. In direct contact with the possibilities and difficulties on the ground, they can grow in their vision and propose initiatives that can help. The number of migrants is very high and will continue to be given the current context, therefore, it is urgent to join forces, so that everyone feels involved in the suffering of migrants and can, at their own level and according to their possibilities, contribute to improving their lot" said Hélène.
Source : Don Bosco Aujourd'hui
