ACTIONS : Historique des comptes rendus des maraudes publiés sur le site de collecte de fonds en ligne pour Pays de Fayence Solidaire

 

Historique des comptes rendus des maraudes publiés sur le site de collecte de fonds en ligne pour Pays de Fayence Solidaire : Go Fund Me

• 20 avril 2024par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Last night Pays de Fayence Solidaire organised a film night at the cinema in Montauroux - the film was Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone; the story of two young Senegalese boys who decide to leave their hometown and try their luck in Europe. The film follows their voyage from Dakar across Mali and Niger into the Sahara and then Libya. It documents the horrors and dangers of this well trodden route. And then the last push across the Mediterranean to Europe. A film well worth watching. An article came out in The Guardian yesterday about a moving cinema organised by Cinemovel that is showing Io Capitano in Senegal this month. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/apr/19/moving-pictures-travelling-cinema-takes-stories-of-departures-and-dreams-to-senegal?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
• 12 mars 2024par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  With Orange weather warnings on both sides of the border for Saturday night, we had several discussions about our plan of action for the food distribution in Ventimiglia. As the weather front seemed to be coming from Marseille we decided to go anyway - we managed to serve all the food and bags of toiletries and socks and survival ponchos without a drop of rain falling. As we started to pack up, the rain arrived and our drive back was pretty interesting to say the least! But we had managed to hand out hot food to about 70 refugees and tried our best to explain that under no circumstances should they sleep by the river that night. The water level was due to rise at about 4 am - and many of them would have been sleeping there totally unaware of the impending danger. Once again we gave coats and blankets to a local Italian NGO to hand out once the rain had stopped - and the survival ponchos should keep them warm and partially dry on the rainy days. Thank you for continuing to support us with our aid at the border.
• 11 février 2024par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A wet and windy Saturday in the south of France saw us driving across the border with hot food, tea, coffee and masses of blankets, sleeping bags, scarves, hats and gloves for the refugees. It appears that the mayor of Ventimiglia is making it as difficult as possible for the refugees to find shelter over the winter - any refugees that have found a “temporary” place to stay in an abandoned house or disused building are constantly being moved on, their belongings taken and blankets thrown away. The only relatively dry place that they have now is under the motorway alongside the Roya river - not the best place to be when it is pouring with rain and the water levels are rising. All the blankets that we had were passed on to a local NGO who will distribute them over the next few days. It is so great that they are there and that we can help them too.

  
  

  As we handed out warm scarves and woolly hats we talked football - the finals of the African Cup of Nations is today and there was much discussion about who would raise the trophy at the end of the game! Just as we were getting ready to leave the dark and rather damp car park a lone figure arrived and asked if there was any food - we managed to give him a few bits and pieces and some water. He spoke very good English, was Somalian and had just arrived in Ventimiglia - he was all alone and happy to chat. His story was similar to so many others - he had made it to Sweden where he had family, but his asylum claim had been turned down and he was having to go back to Sicily - his point of entry into Europe. He was resilient and resolute - trying to find a better future for himself. “One day at a time” he said. “Thank you for the food and water and Bonne Nuit - I speak a little French”. With a smile he left us, disappearing off into the dark as silently and peacefully as he had appeared.

  
  

  And on we go too - one day at a time!

  
  

  from all of us here at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 14 janvier 2024par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  We started 2024 with a bang! A last minute call up to help out with food on 1st January saw 5 of us trundling down to Ventimiglia to serve a hot meal at lunchtime on New Year’s Day!!! Our food was a success and we returned back to the Canton de Fayence empty handed, having served about 60 people. Yesterday we were back in Ventimiglia for our « normal » monthly food distribution. At the moment most of the refugees that we see seem to be Sudanese, North Africans and Afghans, many of whom have applied for asylum and are in limbo waiting for their paperwork to come through. Some of their faces are familiar now - a few know us quite well and seem genuinely pleased to see us as we come well equipped with plenty of food and other goodies (gloves, hats, scarves, socks and ponchos)! The fact that we also have a nurse is a bonus - being out in the cold means that there are coughs and colds and skin problems to deal with on a fairly regular basis. Two of the associations that operate in Ventimiglia have set up a rudimentary shower system - a cubicle placed on some pallets, and a small gas fuelled water heater - under the motorway bridge! It seems to be in huge demand - what a luxury it must be to be able to have a hot shower, when you spend your life on the streets with no access to running water! The volunteers have also taken it upon themselves to wash their clothes - these small things make a huge difference to the refugees, especially those of them that are waiting for their papers to come through and have no option but to live under the motor way while they wait (for up to two years!).

  
  

  The whole team at Pays de Fayence Solidaire wishes you a happy and healthy 2024.
• 18 décembre 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A little addendum! As many of you already know all the donations that we receive are used 100% to buy things like gloves, sleeping bags, warm hats, new underwear and toiletries for the refugees at Ventimiglia. The members of Pays de Fayence Solidaire are all volunteers and do not receive a salary. Our aim is to provide food and clothing for the refugees that find themselves at the Franco-Italian border and to offer support to the other associations based in Ventimiglia.
• 17 décembre 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Our last « maraude » of the year and a quiet one. There were about 70 refugees who came from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Sudan, West and North Africa. We placed rugs and cushions on the ground to provide « seating areas » and had plenty of food, candles, toiletries, gloves, socks and emergency blankets to hand out - all accepted gratefully and they flashed big smiles at us as they headed off with their hands full. Sometimes they ask quietly if they can have 2 pairs of socks or an extra tube of toothpaste - when we explain that we just have to see how many people will turn up and cannot give them any extras, they accept the news graciously and then try their luck later We now have a nurse who comes down to Ventimiglia with us and she has her work cut out for her - it is not always that easy for them to get access to any sort of medical assistance.

  
  

  When we left to head back to Fayence, the car park was quiet, all the cushions and rugs had been rolled up and taken away to provide bedding for the night. This year we have been down to Ventimiglia 15 times and have also provided clothing for Caritas and a few other associations operating on the border. Together with the other volunteers and organisations, we have ensured that there has been at least one meal a day provided for the refugees in Ventimiglia. Our ability to do that is entirely due to your generosity and support. Thank you so much - very best wishes from everyone at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 19 novembre 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  It was our turn to prepare food for the refugees at Ventimiglia yesterday and we drove down in several vehicles, absolutely packed full of food, water, tea, coffee, toiletries, new socks, gloves and hats - and probably most importantly- blankets! We had been told by Friday’s group that the numbers had been stable at about 90-110 refugees for the last few days. This was great news as we had just over 100 blankets, duvets and sleeping bags that we could hand out It was already dark and quite cold when we arrived at the luxurious car park, opposite the cemetery, by the river! Small groups of people began to arrive shortly after. We decided that it was best to hand out the blankets early as many of them leave once they have received their food and little bag of toiletries etc. It was a little chaotic to begin with - there is always the fear (justifiable) that there won’t be enough to go round. So some queued for food and others queued for blankets and then, clutching their big bags, headed off to get into the food queue. Luckily we had enough - food wise and blanket wise - for everyone, and it was a delight to see so many smiling faces heading off into the night. Hopefully they will have had a better night last night - well fed and a “little” warmer than on previous nights!!

  
  

  We have a small request - we would love to be able to hand out warm gloves when we go back down to Ventimiglia just before Christmas - we can buy them for about €2.00 a pair at the moment - so a donation of 20€ would buy 10 pairs of gloves and make them very happy indeed. Yesterday I had to hand out extra socks for them to put on their hands at night

  
  

  Thank you from all of us at Pays de Fayence Solidaire.
• 22 octobre 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  At the end of September, 3 years ago the Roya valley, which is a natural border between France and Italy, was terribly damaged by Storm Alex, an early season cyclone. Luckily, in spite of the red weather warnings, the heavy rains that hit the French and Ligurian riviera on Thursday and Friday did not leave the same mark - the association that distributed food on Thursday night warned those present not to seek shelter under the viaduct along the river and to head away from potential flood zones. There was a call for warm clothing and footwear as many of them are still in summer gear and wearing sandals. Thanks to all your donations last month we bought over 100 survival ponchos which they were delighted to receive last night - they are easy to fold into a pocket and will keep the worst of the cold and the rain off over the next week or so. Footwear is a little harder to come by and will always be a problem but we do our best! We are on a mission now to try to gather as many blankets as possible for the cold winter months and will definitely buy some more ponchos as they seemed to be a great success last night As ever THANK YOU for your generosity - they are hugely appreciative of everything that we do for them in this increasingly hostile world.
• 24 septembre 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Last night we drove down to Ventimiglia not quite knowing how many people would be waiting for us. All the headlines in the press have indicated that thousands would be making their way up through Italy and across the border. There were indeed many - about 300 - young, tired, and very patient young men waiting for us; sitting quietly along the wall, hoping that one of the associations would turn up to give them some food. Whilst we set up our tables and unloaded the vans, they watched on, some came over to help carry the heavy crates and jerry cans of water. Once we were all set up and ready to go, they filed up and came to get their food; lentils, chicken and rice with spices and herbs and the obligatory dollop of harissa on the top!! Then they moved on to the next table where they were given food parcels to top up their evening meal - they are all so thin! And then Veronique, Ariane and Anne gave them small bags with toiletries and new boxer shorts - they were so happy with their collection of bags. Many of them were in shorts and tshirts and discreetly asked if we had any blankets for them - but sadly we simply don’t have enough to hand out to everyone. We will do our best to get some together for our maraude in October - by then they will really need something warm to cover them at night. The political situation is terrible; France has strengthened its border patrols and requests for asylum are often rejected - so many come from Sudan and Eritrea - so many have been forced to flee Tunisia. We ask them their names and welcome them - they in turn thank us for bringing them food and taking the time to listen to them. A simple and very human exchange. Pope Francis pointed out that we share a common sea, Mare nostrum, the Mediterranean - on one shore people live in a world of wealth, consumerism and waste and on the opposite shore people live in poverty and uncertainty. Thank you for supporting us in all that we do - every donation we received goes directly towards purchasing food and toiletries for the refugees. Thank you on their behalf
• 30 juillet 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  This weekend Pays de Fayence Solidaire has managed to organise 2 « maraudes » to Ventimiglia as several of the groups were unable to provide food for the refugees. Last night we handed out food, tea, coffee, toiletries and new socks and underwear to about 170 people - predominantly from Sudan. We had a worrying moment as we prepared to leave because we still had 3 phones on charge and could not find their owners - but just as we made contingency plans for dropping them off with a local volunteer, the three young Sudanese guys reappeared to pick them up! They had wanted to leave them on charge for as long as possible!!!!!

  
  

  A smaller group went down to Ventimiglia today to serve lunch and hand out water - apparently the water went in a flash as Ventimiglia has no water fountains accessible to the refugees so they are entirely reliant on the volunteers to provide them with drinking water. There have been wild fires all around Ventimiglia over the past week, including along the river where many of the refugees seek shelter from the heat and direct sun. If it’s not one thing it’s another! But on the whole they still seem to be amazingly resolute and hopeful that their lot will improve. We can only wish them Good Luck as they head off to find somewhere cool to rest. Thank you for supporting our work - it means so much to both us and them
• 2 juillet 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Another “maraude” in Ventimiglia yesterday evening - we were helped by French scouts and a team of old and young! The atmosphere was calm; many came from Tigray, Sudan, South Sudan and Afghanistan and had spent miserable months in Libya - several asked for a doctor and we told them that on Monday morning they could go to Caritas for treatment. They have skin problems and scabies, infected wounds and old injuries - none of which are easy to treat when you have no ability to wash or to seep on a clean bed, let alone change your clothes! We patched them up, in a very temporary fashion - but they smiled broadly, were content to be cared for and whispered softly Thank you sister” as they wandered off to find a shady spot for supper. As always they were thrilled to receive shower gels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, new socks and underwear - and as always we are so grateful that we receive donations from you, thereby ensuring that we can continue to offer them these little luxuries thank you from all of us at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 4 juin 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Yesterday evening we had the help of 15 young Italians from Torino who came down to Ventimiglia for 3 days to help various associations and try to understand the complexities of life for refugees on the border between Italy and France. It was so reassuring to meet such open minded and empathetic young people - they were incredibly helpful, interested and caring, taking the time to speak to many of the refugees. Last Monday the newly elected right wing mayor of Ventimiglia carried out a “cleaning”’operation along the banks of the Roya river where many of the refugees camp. The river banks are filthy and in desperate need of cleaning, but it would appear that this was more of a publicity stunt and a way of moving the refugees away - all their tents have gone but none of the waste has been cleared up so far. Quite a few of the refugees have applied for asylum in Italy but have to wait for approximately 2 years and are not entitled to work during that period, which in turn means that they cannot afford lodging - hence their tented homes. Nobody is quite sure how things are going to pan out in Ventimiglia with this new mayor, but it would appear that they are going to try to keep moving the refugees on; France has posted extra police brigades on their side of the border so I think the game of ping-pong will continue. We really felt that the refugees were very grateful for what we could give them - and were delighted to receive shower gels, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant - these are just small things but I think in such circumstances, they mean the world to these young people.
• 11 mai 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Following our latest trip down to Ventimiglia (on Saturday 6th May) we find that our funds are running low; a combination of factors are at play. Over the last two months we have noticed a significant drop in the amount of donations (foodstuffs/clothing/basic necessities) made to our association - quite probably due to inflation, reduced spending power and the holiday season kicking in! Meanwhile the French border police have increased their presence on the French/Italian border in anticipation of a "wave" of refugees fleeing Sudan and Tunisia (to date there is no evidence of this "wave" of arrivals); the French government maintains that Italy is misleading the public by claiming to stem the flow of arrivals from North Africa and so has beefed up the police presence on its own border to ensure that this tidal wave of refugees cannot enter France. This has resulted in an increased number of young refugees finding themselves stuck in Ventimiglia, reliant upon associations like ours to feed and clothe them. The Pays de Fayence team, upon arrival at Ventimiglia on Saturday evening, found an Italian television crew at the carpark, filming the refugees. This caused huge upset - Félix was told by a distressed refugee that they were terrified that their families would see them on television and would then be aware of the terrible conditions that they were living in. These young men and women have left their families and homes in the hope of a brighter future and I can assure you that the situation that they find themselves in, once they arrive in Ventimiglia, is anything but bright! The television crew agreed to stop filming and calm was restored. 200 meals were served and blankets, coats, underwear, toiletries and ponchos were handed out. Phones were charged and the hot tea and coffee went down a treat. We bought over 200 pairs of socks, boxer shorts, rain ponchos as well as all the food to feed the masses - everybody was fed that night and had a food parcel for the next day to tide them over. But this has meant that we are in need of donations - this sounds like a Red Nose Day Appeal - BUT.......€30 buys 12 pairs of boxer shorts or 45 pairs of socks or 25 tins of sardines - all of which would make the greatest difference to those who have nothing. As you know by now, and donations we receive will go DIRECTLY to feeding and clothing the refugees. Thank you on their behalf - from all the team at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 10 avril 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  On Easter Saturday we prepared a feast to take down to Ventimiglia in the evening - for many it is Ramadan and they are fasting during the day (even in these difficult circumstances), but we could give them a hot meal to enjoy for "iftar" and a food bag with lots of fresh fruit and supplies for the following morning. When we arrived in Ventimiglia a small group had already gathered and were asking for warm coats and blankets as the nights continue to be cold - especially if you are sleeping in the open by a river! Luckily we had come well prepared and, once everyone had been served some food and helped themselves to toiletries and new socks and underwear, we unloaded the coats and blankets that we had with us. This is when the African 'souk' kicks in and there is quite a lot of jostling and discussion that goes on - it is impossible to manage in a 'Western' manner - believe me we have tried so many variations on the same theme - but at the end of the day most of our coats and all of the blankets had gone and most people seemed to at least have something warm for the night!!!!! Once the initial rush of migrants had come to an end, a few women and their young children appeared for supper - the children were hungry but smiling amidst the chaos, and their mothers were protective and did not stand around to chat - they needed to feed themselves and their children and then find somewhere to sleep that night. As predicted we are starting to see sub-Saharan Africans arriving who had previously been living and working in Tunisia, but have been forced to leave in the last few weeks following the statement made by President Kais Saied in late February condemning illegal immigration. I spoke to a 21 year old from Liberia, whose 2 year work contract in Tunisia had come abruptly to an end and his only option was to leave - he has no idea where he is going to go and what he is going to do but he said that gangs of Tunisians were attacking sub-Saharan Africans on a daily basis and it was not safe to stay. As I write this 400 migrants are onboard a sinking vessel in the Search and Rescue area off the coast of Malta and the Maltese authorities have ordered passing merchant ships not to carry out a rescue operation. There are women and children aboard and many need medical assistance. Yet there is nothing unusual about this!

  
  

  We will continue to do what we can to help the migrants that we meet at Ventimiglia and to also support the other associations that work in the area. It is just a drop in the ocean but at least we can make a tiny difference to their day. Thank you to everyone that helps Pays de Fayence Solidaire - it enables us to help those that need it most.
• 12 mars 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  The last two "maraudes" have been so different - as is often the case! February was freezing cold and the refugees arrived in small groups, looking tired and desperately in need of hot food and tea. They did not hang around to chat - it was too cold in the carpark by the river for small talk - and they took their hot food and food parcels and headed off to find somewhere to shelter for the night.

  
  

  Yesterday evening it was an unseasonal 18 degrees in Ventimiglia and there was much more inclination to stay and chat. Another association were there when we arrived at the carpark and had a generator going to charge phones and were handing out hot tea and coffee. We set all of our tables up and unloaded the cars - pasta with chicken and a vegetable sauce, food parcels with milk, cheese, fruit, water and biscuits; toiletries, new underwear and socks, hand knitted scarves and beanies, gloves and blankets - all gratefully received by the stream of young refugees. Many were francophone from West Africa, Eritreans and Sudanese, and the odd Afghan or Pakistani. A young man from Pakistan showed me his paperwork - he needed to complete his application for asylum but in order to do that he needed a fiscal stamp and passport photos, for which he had to pay. Caritas in Ventimiglia generally help with asylum applications, but apparently they only take on a certain number per month, and unfortunately would not help this young man. He was so patient, terribly polite and obviously desperate. As luck (?) would have it, when we were cleaning up at the end of the distribution one of our members found a folded piece of paper with a 20€ note in it - awful for the person who had lost it, but a gift for this young man. He could hardly believe it when we explained that we had found it on the floor and would give it to him to pay for his passport photos and his fiscal stamp. The relief on his face was palpable.

  
  

  We were also faced with a desperate young father from Mali, clutching his crying baby in his arms - he too was in tears. He said to me, " I have to find somewhere safe off the streets for my family tonight, please help us." Fortunately I had just phoned a lovely Italian couple who will give lodging to families for a few nights when they arrive in Ventimiglia - we had some extra food parcels to give them to help them out for the next day - when they arrived they scooped up mother, baby and husband and took them home with them. It was truly heartbreaking to see such distress in a young man; they normally control their emotions so well, one can only imagine that they had suffered some pretty bad experiences on their route up through Italy. We all breathed a sigh of relief as they climbed into the car, knowing that at least for 48 hours they would have the chance to rest and gather their strength for their ongoing journey.

  
  

  So our work continues, we are extremely grateful to all of you for your support - the fact that we can buy new things for these refugees and watch their faces as they get to choose what they want - is thanks to you. Mille merci!!
• 15 janvier 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 15 janvier 2023par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A quick update at the start of 2023 to say we are still going strong at Pays de Fayence Solidaire and will continue our monthly trips down to Ventimiglia to support the refugees and the other associations helping on the border. Nothing seems to be changing - there are rumours about a camp reopening but nobody can agree where it should be so, when in doubt, don’t change the status quo! Even the Italian police (present at the car park when we hand out food and clothing) said that a camp needs to be opened so that the minors and the sick can be taken care of. Last night we had to call an ambulance because one of the refugees had fallen and was quite badly injured - they were great and came quickly and took him to hospital - but once he is released, he will be sleeping in the streets again in unsanitary conditions - and with the nights getting colder. So many of the refugees were minors last night - but they are 17 years old - and the border police claim that they have falsified their paperwork and that they are actually adult (therefore they are under no obligation to take them in and care for them). One of the young boys we spoke to had had his phone stolen and had no way of contacting his family in the Côte d’Ivoire - he had their numbers stored in the phone but did not have any other record if their telephone numbers - something we are all guilty of these days. One just calls the contact but doesn’t actually learn the number! Awful situation for both him and his parents - we can only hope that he can get a message to his embassy and at least let them know he is alive. When we left the car park they were heading off to find somewhere to sleep - with new bed mats to lie on, clean clothes and food for the night. Just as we were leaving we remembered that we had Dynamo/solar torches that we could give them - they were over the moon!!!! And on that note, waved us goodbye, thanked us for all we had done and headed off into the dark! Fingers crossed for those resilient young boys - we can only hope that things will improve for them at some stage. I am going to track down more solar powered torches for the refugees - it saves them using their phones to see where they are going at night. We all wish you a healthy and happy 2023 and thank you for your support.
• 19 décembre 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  As the year comes to an end and we head towards 2023 it seems unlikely that much will change for the refugees at Ventimiglia. They will probably still be sleeping in the dirt under the motorway - as they try to move on - fleeing persecution, war, conscription and increasingly, famine. We do the best we can in a short space of time - warm and nutritious food carefully and thoughtfully prepared by some of our volunteers, hot coffee or thé à la menthe, food bags for breakfast tomorrow morning and an array of toiletries to choose from. Warm socks and gloves, scarves and hats. A mountain of blankets to chose from as they head off into the damp world under the motorway alongside the river. We chat with some of them, treat them with humanity and respect - and they are equally respectful in return. But we get to jump into our cars and head home to our houses and families. Home for them is wherever they can find for that night - one day at a time - dreaming of a brighter future but living in the moment. Charging their phones is essential - a vital link with family - and a lifeline for most of them - Michel’s charging station is always surrounded by people as they queue to charge their phones. We wish them good luck as we pack up and get ready to leave - luckily a different association will be there tomorrow and the next day and the days after that - ensuring that at the very least they are given a hot meal on these cold winter nights. Thank you for supporting what Pays de Fayence Solidaire does - your donations to us go straight to them, whether it be to buy clothing, or sleeping bags, or backpacks - luxuries for them. So thank you very much and all the best for 2023. Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 20 novembre 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  It was our turn to do the food distribution at Ventimiglia last night and we were lucky enough to have lots of blankets to hand out as winter seems to have suddenly arrived! Among the Sudanese, Eritreans, Afghans and Malians, there were some familiar faces;!others had just arrived and were so grateful for the blankets as they contemplated a night under the motorway flyover. Students from the local college had cooked a chicken and peanut curry for the refugees - a wonderful initiative that brings awareness of what is happening on the Franco-Italian border to the young people in the canton de Fayence and puts their catering skills to good use! Next month we will hopefully take lots of warm winter coats with us, gloves and hats as the cold nights set in. Thank you on their behalf for your donations - we really do use it to buy new socks and underwear, rain ponchos and sleeping bags - things that are “luxuries” for the refugees.
• 25 septembre 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Luckily the torrential rain that was forecast for yesterday both in the canton de Fayence and Ventimiglia never quite materialised - which was a blessing for the refugees and to be honest for us too! When we got to Ventimiglia a group of young Afghans were playing a very animated game of cricket - with interesting wickets set up between barriers and a tennis ball instead of a cricket ball. They were all very hungry and we barely had time to unload the vans before they were queuing for food and asking how soon we would start dishing it out. I am not sure whether they had eaten at all since the night before as when it rains they tend to find shelter and are reluctant to move from there. We had masses of delicious tagine and coconut rice with spicy merguez and harissa to serve up - plus food bags and new underwear, socks and ponchos to hand out to them. They are delighted to receive their 'gifts' and their eyes light up when they can actually chose things - it's the small things that count! Last week we were lucky enough to receive a large donation of blankets from a local association - perfect timing really - we could give everyone a blanket last night and with the damp weather they will have really needed it. So as always thank you so much for your support and interest in what we do - it is very little but at least it is direct support and goes straight to the people who need it most. Elections this weekend in Italy do not bode well for those stuck at the border and we will be monitoring closely the impact that it may have on them - not that the situation can get much worse!!!!
• 25 septembre 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 28 août 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  This last week has been a busy one for Pays de Fayence Solidaire as we committed to distributing food twice in Ventimiglia - there were several associations who could not help this month. On Tuesday we cooked a big pasta salad with tuna, sweet corn, peppers and eggs - and a small team headed across the border in the evening heat to distribute food to about 120 refugees. Yesterday evening we left a torrential downpour (an absolute blessing!) in the Canton de FAYENCE and once again headed across the border to the rather sunnier Ventimiglia! 18 scouts were there to help us - they are spending 3 days in Ventimiglia to learn about the refugee crisis and the situation on the Franco/Italian border. We handed out food to about 90 refugees - they had huge helpings and were very well fed because we had catered for quite a few more. A young Afghan (who has been helping with the camps in Calais and Dunkerque) came to chat to us and told us that the refugees were always delighted to see Pays de Fayence Solidaire as the food was the BEST and we always took good care of them:-) our first aid kit certainly came in handy yesterday evening as many of them have minor injuries and infections due to their insalubrious living conditions and constant movement. Luckily there is a doctor on site at Caritas during the week and Médecins du Monde are present twice a week to treat them. Thank you for all of your support and help - on behalf of all of us at the Association and in memory of François.
• 6 août 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Chers vous tous,

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Notre ami et président François Piérard vient de nous quitter ce jeudi 4 août, après une longue maladie, qu’il a affronté avec tant de courage.

  
  

  Nous tenons en ce jour à lui rendre hommage.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Tu es parti, ami François. On savait que tu allais nous quitter mais voilà l’évidence qui nous laisse seuls, et tristes et pauvres soudain.

  
  

  On voudrait te dire simplement « Merci François. Au revoir, Bon Homme ».

  
  

  Merci pour ton exemple, homme de parole, homme de confiance, homme droit, indigné par l’injustice, homme courageux,

  
  

  engagé jusqu’au bout malgré la souffrance et la fatigue pour aider les plus démunis, les parias de la terre.

  
  

  Nous avons appris de ta patience, de ton écoute, de ton exigence.

  
  

  Tu nous as tant donné par ta présence au cœur de notre groupe.

  
  

  Tu étais celui qui rassemble, celui qui apaise. Tu as montré le cap.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Nous n’oublierons jamais ton sourire, ta parole franche, ton regard curieux, ton appétit de toujours apprendre des autres, de la vie.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Amis François et Véronique, vous faisiez parmi nous un duo formidable.

  
  

  Nous savons, Véronique, combien tu as été courageuse et droite au long de cette épreuve terrible.

  
  

  Chacun de nous est avec toi en ces jours douloureux.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Bernard, Claude, Félix, Françoise, Michel, Pierre-Marie, Shara, Véronique M
• 4 juillet 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 4 juillet 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Our maraude on Saturday 2nd July was under a hot sun and when we arrived in Ventimiglia, the first thing we did was to hand out water bottles to the refugees waiting for us. It was not until after we had served 130 meals that the sun went down behind the centro storico of Ventimiglia and the temperature dropped by a few degrees. Which meant that a ragged bunch of Eritreans and Sudanese started to play football - mostly barefoot or in socks, with the odd one or two lucky enough to be sporting a pair of battered trainers! But the lack of footwear did nothing to diminish their enthusiasm for the game! Just before we left we handed out more water and new socks to the players and their supporters!Many of them were waiting for their phones to charge and needed as much charge as possible on their phones so that t he could then call home and reassure their families that they were ok. Many of them were familiar to us as we saw them a month ago when we last went down with food and clothing. It seems as if it is becoming increasingly difficult, dangerous and expensive to crois from one country to another (certainly for these young men). We talked to a lovely young man from Chad who left his home in 2008 to travel across Africa and around the Mediterranean, documenting his travels and the encounters that he has had en route. He was absolutely thrilled because Felix gave him one of his books - a treasure he said he would carry with him at all times. No two maraude are the same - but we always leave wishing we could do more and trying to content ourselves with the fact that at least we have done something!!! 129 young men and a solitary Eritrean woman were fed and given clean clothing and toiletries to at least make them feel a bit cleaner for 24 hours. Our next trip down to Ventimiglia is at the end of July and we are hoping that the numbers won’t increase dramatically!!
• 5 juin 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 5 juin 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  9 of us travelled down to Ventimiglia yesterday afternoon. During the day a busy team of people had prepared food for an estimated 120/140 refugees and another team had sorted out clothing donations and prepared food bags to hand out. Some of the Ukrainian refugees came to give us a hand in Fayence in the morning - many hands make light work! When we arrived at Ventimiglia there was a long line of patient young refugees waiting for us - many had not eaten for 48 hours and they were desperate for food and water. We explained that we needed 15 minutes to set up the tables and get the food supplies unloaded and we would then start serving. They accepted that and waited patiently - no easy task when you are tired, footsore and hungry! Most seemed to be from Eritrea and Sudan - very thin and worn out, in broken sandals, often mismatching, or trainers held together with string. We had some trainers and flip flops to give them - it is unbelievably difficult to hand them out as at least 100 refugees wanted the 25 pairs of shoes that we had! We tried to give them to the most needy, but there are never enough and it is terrible having to send them away empty handed in broken sandals or flip flops. I have promised to go down next week with more shoes - some of our lovely members are keeping an eye out at the ‘vide grenier’ for shoes and we will see if we can get a good stock of shoes in to deliver to Ventimiglia next week! At least we managed to feed everyone and they had towels, t-shirts, socks and underwear to take away with them. The money we receive on GoFundMe allows us to buy socks, underwear, small backpacks, waterproof ponchos, bed rolls and, when we find them, discounted trainers and shoes. from all of us at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 8 mai 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 8 mai 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  On Saturday evening 10 of us drove down to Ventimiglia with as many blankets and sleeping bags as we could fit in the cars, as well as hot food, food parcels, torches, ponchos, jackets and toiletries. We were met by a group of about 60 refugees from Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Mali, Morocco and Albania. Some had just arrived, others have been in Ventimiglia for a short while and the odd one or two are now regular attendees! Some are still full of hope regardless of the difficulties that they have encountered en route; others are weary and traumatized and seem to be on auto-pilot. As ever, they are on the whole, grateful for what we can offer them, and many just hang around to chat, asking if they can help, or helping the newcomers find what they want. Between us we all manage to make ourselves understood one way or another! And at the end of the distribution we leave them there in the car park, working out where they will sleep for the night. Thank you for continuing to support us - we are dividing our time between helping the Ukrainians in the Canton de Fayence, and making sure that we continue to provide essential food, clothing and first aid to the refugees stuck at Ventimiglia. We could not do it without your support and that of our many volunteers. merci merci
• 13 mars 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  This Saturday, 12th March, our 'maraude' was slightly different - well actually so much is different this month as we deal with the war in Ukraine and the potential arrival of Ukrainian refugees in the south of France. But our priority this Saturday was the collection of food and warm clothing and bedding for the 'other' refugees, many of whom are also fleeing war, genocide, dictatorships and famine. The head of the college in Montauroux wanted his students to get involved and learn about the situation on the franco/italian border. A group of the young secondary school students prepared the meal for us to serve to 100 people in Ventimiglia. It was a great way for us to explain what we do down in Ventimiglia and talk about the refugees that we encounter whilst down there. The meal that they prepared - a spicy chili con carne - went down a treat! We are really grateful to the college of Montauroux for taking this initiative - and the refugees very much appreciated the food that was prepared for them. Once we got down to Ventimiglia we were joined by 18 Italian scouts from Lombardia who helped with the distribution of hot food, clothing (new socks, gloves, underwear, hats and scarves, dynamo powered torches and a selection of coats, duvets and sleeping bags!), first aid and good company - as there were so many of us, we were actually able to take the time to chat to many of the refugees present. They came from all over the world; Afghans, Bangladeshis, Pakistan, Chad, Mauritania, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia - we communicated as best we can with a bit of English/French/Italian - the odd word in Arabic, and relied on those that spoke good English or French to help translate to those who only spoke Farsi, Pashto or Arabic. Félix, who was there to greet the refugees as they lined up for food, handed out flyers translated into various languages explaining the mortal danger of trying to cross the border by climbing onto the roof of the train - sadly several young refugees have died by being electrocuted as they have made yet another desperate attempt to cross the franco/italian border. It was a 'peaceful' maraude - everyone was well fed and most of them left with a warm blanket or sleeping bag to keep the chill out for the night. Thank you all so much for your continued support! Pays de Fayence Solidaire is working with the local mayors, associations and individuals to coordinate aid, lodging, psychological help and support for Ukrainian refugees that have started to arrive in the canton de Fayence. Parallel to this we will still be collecting food and clothing for the refugees who, through no fault of their own, do not have free passage or access to the same services. Our work is going to be cut out for us over the months to come! THANK YOU on behalf of Pays de Fayence Solidaire and all those that we can help with your help.
• 16 janvier 2022par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A few photos taken last night during the Pays de FAYENCE Solidaire food distribution at Ventimiglia - everything was gone in a flash! Hot food was served to about 100 refugees + tea and coffee and food bags to take away for breakfast this morning. We also had plenty of coats, blankets and sleeping bags to hand out - which disappeared in minutes - as did the scarves, hats, gloves and warm socks that we had bought for them. A young Ethiopian took the time to come over and thank us, not only for the hot food and warm clothing, but simply for treating him with kindness and humanity - things that we take for granted but sadly the refugees rarely witness. Andrew was responsible for charging up as many phones as he could during the 2 hours that we were there - their phones are their lifelines and the only way that they can reassure their families that they are still alive. It makes the world of difference to them if our associations can offer them charging facilities in the evenings! Thank you so much for supporting us and following what we do at Ventimiglia. Best wishes for 2022 from all of us at Pays de Fayence Solidaire
• 19 décembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Lors de la maraude hier soir à Vintimille, j'ai rencontré un jeune Ivoirien de 17 ans, assez timide qui s’appelait Junior. Il m’avait demandé des vêtements chauds donc je lui ai donné une veste, un bonnet, une écharpe et un sac de couchage. Il était très reconnaissant et m'a remercié pour les vêtements et la nourriture que nous lui avons donné. Nous avons commencé à discuter du foot, un sport qu’il avait beaucoup joué quand il était jeune en Côte d’Ivoire. Après lui avoir demandé vers quel pays il voulait aller, il m’a répondu qu’il souhaitait rejoindre sa sœur à Lyon ou ses amis qui se trouvaient à Grenoble. Ils étaient partis plus jeunes que lui puisqu’ils n’avaient que 14-15 ans à leur départ. Son ami, qu’il avait rencontré un jour auparavant insistait pour qu’ils partent dormir mais junior insistait qu’il voulait juste discuter avec quelqu’un qui parlait le français. D’ailleurs il ne voulait pas rester en Italie à cause de la barrière linguistique. Il m’avait brièvement parlé d’un centre dans lequel il était resté mais il m’avait dit qu’il était parti parce que c’était le seul garçon noir et qu’il se sentait exclu du reste des personnes qui résidaient dans le centre. Je ne lui ai pas posé de questions sur les raisons qui l’avaient poussées à partir de son pays parce qu’il m’avait déjà dit que c’était compliqué et je préférais parler de choses plus positives. Il m’avait aussi parlé de son envie d’aller à l’école (puisqu’il n’y était pas allé depuis l’âge de sept ans) chose à laquelle je ne savais pas quoi lui répondre. Au moment de notre retour, il m'a remercié encore une fois et je lui ai souhaité bonne chance dans son but d’atteindre la France.

  Oli (17 ans)
• 19 décembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 19 décembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  First and foremost A VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of you for supporting Pays de FAYENCE Solidaire throughout this year - we have managed to buy hundreds of socks, waterproof jackets, warm winter gloves and sleeping bags with the funds that have come in through GoFundMe! Thank you thank you. Last night we went to Ventimiglia for the last time this year and took lovely new sleeping bags, warm gloves, masses of coats and blankets and the refugees were so grateful. Many young Afghans were there - they had only just arrived in Ventimiglia and had spent 2 years on the road. They explained that they had tried to fly to Malta initially but their paperwork was not approved and they had had to resort to travelling cross country. I asked about their families and they said that they had escaped into Pakistan a few months ago and were in camps there. One of the young men desperately wanted a SIM card as he could not contact his family - but as he had no ID with him, he was unable to get a SIM card. The boat he had been in crossing to Greece had sunk - luckily he was rescued but all his belongings had gone. In spite of all the trials and tribulations that he and his friends had lived through, they were so smiley, chatty and grateful - we wished them well and a safe onward journey and guiltily drive off in our warm cars! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2022. Pays de FAYENCE solidaire
• 2 décembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  I recently went down to Ventimiglia to give winter clothing to Caritas, who do an amazing job helping the refugees on the border. It was a pretty wet and cold day and so many of the young men (teenagers on the whole) shivered in the cold as they waited in line for a food bag. To make matters worse several of them were in sandals or flip flops as their own shoes had long since disintegrated or been lost en route. Pays de Fayence Solidaire will be in Ventimiglia on 18th December to hand out hot food and any warm clothes, shoes and sleeping bags that we have. Christmas is an expensive time of year but if you happen to have a "spare" €20 that you are happy to share please think of these young people - they will be spending Christmas in the cold under the motorway viaduct - hoping for a brighter future. Many many thanks!
• 21 novembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Over the last month we have been collecting duvets, blankets and sleeping bags to hand out at Ventimiglia as we have had several messages from other associations saying that there is a desperate need for warm bedding as the winter draws in. People have been incredibly generous and our van was FULL to the brim - we were able to give each of the 80 odd refugees a blanket, warm gloves and hand-knitted hats - they honestly couldn’t believe their luck! We only go to Ventimiglia once a month because we are about an hour and a half away from the border - but this means that we have time to collect all sorts of things to take down with us. There were lots of Sudanese, Eritreans, Malians and Afghans yesterday evening - many weary from a long journey - but always grateful for the small amount that we can do for them. Sometimes they can speak English or French, at other times it is just a smile and nod - at least we know they have had a good, nutritious meal and will be a little warmer at night. Many many thanks for supporting our small association!
• 24 octobre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Hard at work preparing a huge couscous feast for the refugees at Ventimiglia!
• 24 octobre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Yesterday the volunteers drove down to Ventimiglia with a very special meal onboard! Two of our members organisés for a huge lamb couscous to be made with spices and home made couscous brought over from their family homes this summer. The whole day was spent preparing this feast and it went down a treat last night! Nourishing, warm and spicy it filled the refugees with food and joy I think. Luckily we had more than enough so they could come back for seconds!! We handed out clean, new underwear and rain ponchos, hand knitted scarves and hats and some sleeping bags and back packs. The days are still lovely and warm but the nights are cold and they were only too happy to have a scarf and hat to keep the cold off. Many more Afghans were at Ventimiglia yesterday - Oli spoke to a young boy who was 16, travelling with his cousin and had been on the road for an eternity. He has no idea where his parents are, or where he will end up, but he simply said that he could not stay in Afghanistan. There were 4 very young women from Eritrea, sticking together tightly, in this very male world. I hope that they do not fall prey to the traffickers - if they can stay together they have a better chance of staying safe. We continue to buy sleeping bags, small backpacks, rain gear and socks and underwear with the donations that you so generously make to our association
• 26 septembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Une équipe d’entre nous sommes descendus à Vintimille hier soir pour faire la distribution mensuelle de nourriture. Nous avions eu notre collecte habituelle de nourriture et de vêtements le matin à Fayence. Nous avons servi des repas chauds (garnis de beaucoup de harissa!) pour les 70 migrants qui nous attendaient dans le parking. Des sacs de nourriture ainsi que des nouveaux ponchos imperméables, de nouveaux sous vêtements et des produits d’hygiène étaient également distribués à tout le monde, grâce à GoFundMe. Même si l’atmosphère était calme, un grand nombre d’entre eux semblaient épuisés. Leur camp temporaire sous l’autoroute a été enlevé par la police et le nouveau maire et ce dernier est sur le point de se faire réélire. Une fois de plus, ils doivent essayer de trouver un endroit sec pour dormir cet automne, et faire face aux refoulements quotidiens par la police. Certains habitants de Vintimille en ont assez de ces réfugiés qui dorment partout et les tensions montent. En l’absence d’un camp ils ne peuvent ni avancer ni reculer et on sent leur désespoir. Tout ce que nous pouvons faire c’est leur offrir de la nourriture et des vêtements ainsi qu’un peu de notre temps pour écouter ceux qui veulent nous parler. Merci à tous ceux qui continue de soutenir cette association!
• 26 septembre 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A motley crew of us hailing from various different countries drove down to Ventimiglia yesterday evening to do the monthly food distribution. We had had our usual food and clothing collection that morning in Fayence and had more than enough for the 70 refugees waiting for us in the car park. We served up a hot meal (with lashings of harissa for many of them!) and food bags plus new rainproof ponchos, new underwear and toiletries (thanks to GoFundMe) to everyone there. We all felt that although the atmosphere was calm and peaceful, so many of them seemed worn out and fatigued - their ´temporary’ camp under the motorway had been removed by the police and an unaccommodating mayor who is up for re-election soon. Once again they must try to find somewhere dry to spend the night as autumn begins to close in - with daily pushbacks from France a recurrent theme. Some of the citizens of Ventimiglia have had enough of these refugees sleeping wherever they can - tensions are rising. In the absence of a camp they are caught between a rock and a hard place as they try to cross the border to find a safe haven. All we can do is offer them food and clothing and listen to those of them that want to talk. Thank you to all of you for continuing to support our very modest association!
• 29 août 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  This week the numbers have varied between 90 and 220 people at Ventimiglia and it was a little tricky to work out how much food to prepare for our 'maraude' on Saturday evening - but we decided to err on the side of caution (or in this case surplus!) and prepared hot food for about 220/230 people. Lucky we did as there was a large gathering of refugees at Ventimiglia - many from Afghanistan (although not recent arrivals), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Sudan and Eritrea, and a few Tunisians. Most of them are young - some have fled persecution, some have been tortured en route - one poor man hid his head in his hands for much of the evening as if trying to hide from someone, only taking his hands away from his face when we put food in his hands. I was delighted to come across a young Sudanese man who had spent 2 years in Malta trying to sort out his paperwork, but had repeatedly been refused asylum and had left for Italy in desperation. (When i handed him his bowl of food he said "Grazzi hanna' to me, which means Thank you very much in Maltese)We talked Malta and he was full of praise for the Maltese people that he had met and had helped him in his attempts to legalise his situation. He was happy to just be able to chat - mostly about football!

  We managed to feed everyone apart from 2 refugees who turned up just as we were leaving - hopefully they will have received a meal at lunch time today. This week I will deliver clothing and bedding to Ventimiglia to be distributed by Caritas, a Catholic association providing food 6 days a week to the refugees who come to their doors. The nights are already starting to get cooler and soon we will need to hand out jumpers and jackets to give the refugees an element of warmth at night. We have no idea how and when the presumed wave of Afghan refugees will arrive, but we must hope that the border police don't give them too much of a hard time.

  Thank you for taking the time to read this and for following what we do - it is a very small gesture, but we hope that by providing some good food, toiletries and clothes, and taking the time to talk and listen to these young people, we can give them a little comfort and time to relax from the constant stress and threats that they face on a day to day basis,
• 7 juillet 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Un mot petit mot pour féliciter Francesca Quartermaine, qui est à l’origine de ce GoFundme avec la complicité de Shara, sa maman.

  
  

  Ce samedi 3 juillet 2021, à l’Institut FENELON de Grasse, le prix de l’ENGAGEMENT SOLIDAIRE lui a été remis !

  
  

  Elle est depuis longtemps engagée à nos côtés lors des maraudes à Vintimille, une fois par mois.

  
  

  Que sa jeunesse et son engagement soient porteurs pour bien d’autres jeunes ! MERCI encore Francesca !!

  
  

  Toute l’équipe de Pays de Fayence Solidaire te félicite chaleureusement !

  
  

  Françoise Boogaerts, Trésorière

  
  

  
  

  A quick word to congratulate Francesca Quartermaine, who was behind the creation of this GoFundMe page, with her mother's support.

  
  

  On Saturday 3rd July 2021, at the Institut FENELON in Grasse, she was awarded the prize for 'l'ENGAGEMENT SOLIDAIRE'.

  
  

  For several years now Francesca has accompanied us on our monthly 'maraudes' to Ventimiglia.

  
  

  Hopefully she will encourage other young people to become involved in humanitarian aid! THANK YOU Francesca!!

  
  

  The entire team at PAYS DE FAYENCE SOLIDAIRE congratulates her!

  
  

  Françoise Boogaerts, Treasurer
• 7 juillet 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Voici le témoignage d'un des maraudeurs:-

  
  

  MILLE MERCI AU NOM DES MIGRANTS !

  
  

  Parmi les migrants, il y avait beaucoup d’Érythréens et de Soudanais, jeunes, quelques femmes parmi eux, et deux enfants en bas âge avec leurs parents.

  
  

  Voici le témoignage d'un des maraudeurs (Bernard) :

  
  

  Arrivés vers 18h30, la mise en place s'opère rapidement et la distribution peut ainsi commencer.

  
  

  
  

  Lorsque celle-ci concerne des objets en quantité limitée, la concurrence entre les migrants s'opère immédiatement. Ce sera le premier, ou le plus fort, qui l'emportera. Ainsi, pour la distribution de quelques coussins et matelas. Ainsi, aussi, lorsque quatre mains s'emparent de la même bouteille d'eau d'1 litre mise sur la table de libre service...

  
  

  Fin de la distribution vers 19 h 45 ... il ne reste plus rien ! Les 120 repas sont partis rapidement, et nous sommes confrontés à un nombre de migrants plus important que prévu. Grâce au "vrac", une cinquantaine de paniers supplémentaires peuvent être distribués. Parmi les derniers arrivants, trois adultes syriens, épuisés et affamés, qui nous disent ne pas avoir mangé depuis trois jours. Ils se contenteront des dernières portions de fromage qu'ils acceptent avec gratitude.

  
  

  Il reste alors un peu de temps pour tenter de communiquer avec certains d'entre eux. Alors qu'un jeune soudanais de 20 ans nous demande si nous pouvons lui remplacer ses sandales usées, M. se rapproche de nous et se fait interprète pour lui expliquer où se situe l'antenne de Caritas. Quelle portée que cette belle langue arabe, qui permet à ces deux jeunes de se comprendre et de communiquer, alors qu'ils proviennent de pays distants de milliers de kilomètres.

  
  

  Le mirage de la chance .. : M. est arrivé voici deux jours à Vintimille, par train, en provenance de l'Autriche. Agé de 27 ans, il a quitté son Maroc natal depuis deux ans, en espérant pouvoir rejoindre la France, où son papa a vécu quelques années, avant d'y décéder à Toulouse il y a quatre ans. Titulaire du bac, il travaillait dans une grande entreprise. Ce n'est donc pas la misère qui l'a poussé à partir sur les routes, mais un sentiment irrésistible de rejoindre la France. Très déçu et éprouvé par ce qu'il a dû surmonter pour arriver ici, il évoque ce rêve qui s'est révélé être un mirage. Mais il « n'abandonnera pas, jamais », dit-il. « Et avec un peu de chance, j'y arriverai peut-être » affirme-t-il avec détermination et un franc sourire. M. a décidé de rester se reposer deux jours à Vintimille avant de reprendre sa route.

  La France s'honorerait de l'accueillir, plutôt que de le refouler !
• 7 juillet 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  On Saturday 3rd July we were down in Ventimiglia for our monthly food distribution - we had been told to expect up to 90 refugees for an evening meal, but in actual fact it was more like 150-200!!! It is very difficult to tell as sometimes the authorities move them on from one place to another and there will suddenly be an influx at Ventimiglia. Amongst them were some women and little children:-( Luckily we have such incredibly generous and loyal members of the Association, we were able to feed everyone - we always take a surplus of tins of tuna, long-life milk, fruit, small bottles of water, hard-boiled eggs and biscuits - they all went to very grateful and hungry refugees. At the end of the food distribution 3 very tired and hungry Syrians arrived, saying that they had not eaten for 3 days and happily took all the last bits and pieces that we had to offer them. This week we will take all the clothing that we have, plus blankets, backpacks and medical supplies to Caritas, so that they have a supply to hand out on a daily basis. Once again THANK YOU for your continued support and help - please do share our GoFundMe page with anyone that you think might be interested - it is surprising how often we come across people who would love to help and get involved but have no idea how to start.
• 13 juin 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  A team of 9 of us headed down to Ventimiglia last night to hand out food and supplies to about 120 refugees - many from Eritrea unsurprisingly! So many of them are so young - in ill-fitting shoes, or none at all - luckily we had a few pairs of shoes in the car and could discreetly hand them out to those that really needed them. We are going to take all the sleeping bags and backpacks that we bought through GoFundMe to Caritas, an organisation in Ventimiglia, that feeds the refugees every lunch time and provides them with some basic medical assistance if they need it. Their stocks of clothing and sleeping material have been seriously depleted and so we have decided to give them everything that we have as they are meeting the refugees on a daily basis. Once again many many thanks for your generous donations - they are always thrilled to receive new sleeping bags, backpacks and clothing - and although it is not much to us, it makes a big difference to them!
• 11 mai 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Un petit compte rendu de notre maraude du samedi 8 mai à Vintimille - une équipe de 8 marauders/euses est arrivée vers 19h au parking habituel. Beaucoup des jeunes réfugiés étaient déjà sur place et nous avons tout de suite installé les tables, la nourriture, les boissons, et les vêtements. Grâce à vos dons on pouvait acheter 75 ponchos imperméables pour donner aux réfugiés - et ils l'ont accepté avec plaisir parce que la pluie était annoncé de nouveau cette semaine. J'ai été 'aux vêtements' avec une copine quand nous avons vu un jeune homme, mince et un peu timide, qui a cherché des jeans de petite taille. Il voulait savoir s'il pouvait laver ses vêtements avec un gel douche. Nous l'avons demandé son age et d'où il venait - réponse "17 ans. Je suis tchadien." Il nous a expliqué qu'il a quitté sons pays seul, traversant la Libye, après le bateau vers l'Italie et finalement Vintimille où il se trouvait bloqué. Il a admis qu'il a essayé de franchir la frontière franco/italien sans succès et qu'il avait très peur de perdre ses papiers aux mains de la police à la frontière. Il a voulu absolument passer en France parce qu'il est francophone et il voudrait continuer ses etudes ici en France s'il arrive à déposer sa demande de l'asile avant d'être refoulée. Ce gamin, poli, discret et trop jeune, a quitté son pays et sa famille, pour chercher une vie moins dangereuse et instable - mais la route pour y arriver n'est pas de tout simple. Il a la même âge de mes enfants mais il a déjà vécu, et vu, des choses qu'ils ne vont jamais connaître ni vivre - ma fille a décidé de passer un an au Senegal où elle sera enseignante dans une école primaire, et elle se logera avec une famille d'accueil qui l'aidera à s'intégrer dans la communauté. Ce jeune homme n'a rien de ça et il compte sur l'aide et la generosité des associations pour se nourrir et se vêtir - à Vintimille il sera obligé de trouver un pont où un bâtiment vide pour rester un peu abriter la nuit. Je lui ai souhaité bonne chance et j'espère vraiment qu'il va atteindre son but. Désolée - temoignage un peu longue! Merci à vous tous pour vos dons et votre soutien.
• 9 mai 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  SQ

  Shara Quartermaine·14hr

  I am reposting the update I wrote last night as it seems as if it didn't upload properly. Voilà Voilà!

  
  

  We are just back from our ‘maraude’ in Ventimiglia and very much appreciated the fact that it was warm and sunny this time round. Thanks to your donations we bought 75 rain ponchos for the refugees and given that rain is forecast for the beginning of next week, we found good homes for all of them! As I handed out clothing and blankets to a bustling crowd of young men from Yemen, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Chad, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan I noticed a young boy in his teens who was desperately trying to find a small pair of jeans that would fit him - most of the trousers we had were for someone rather more substantial! As the crowd thinned he quietly came over and asked in French if we had any smaller clothes - he explained he was from Chad and when I asked his age he told me he was 17, a little older than my son. He told me that he had travelled through Libya and then taken the dreaded boat journey to get to Italy. Alive to tell the tale, he said he just wanted to get to France so that he could claim asylum and start studying again, but his attempt to cross the border had been unsuccessful and he had heard too many stories of border police taking documentation away from unaccompanied minors, to try to cross the border ‘legally’. It was heartbreaking - my daughter is about to leave home and has chosen to go to West Africa to teach English for a year. She will come and go effortlessly (well perhaps not in COVID times!) and live with a host family, who will care for her, whilst she is there. This quiet, polite young boy was alone, navigating his way across countries and borders, dealing with the obscurities of local ‘refugee’ politics, with no security whatsoever, in order to try to create a brighter future for himself. It was with a heavy heart that we drove back across the border this evening - we had provided warm food, some clothing and bedding for these young people, and they are always unbelievably grateful and appreciative, but realistically we can do little else for them. HOWEVER we would really love to be able to buy summer sleeping bags for as many young refugees as possible as they are easy to transport and 10€ will buy a lightweight one -they are in constant demand and we never seem to have enough!! THANK YOU from all the team at Pays de Fayence Solidaire on behalf of the young refugees at Ventimiglia.
• 8 mai 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 8 mai 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  We are just back from our ‘maraude’ in Ventimiglia and very much appreciated the fact that it was warm and sunny this time round. Thanks to your donations we bought 75 rain ponchos for the refugees and given that rain is forecast for the beginning of next week, we found good homes for all of them! As I handed out clothing and blankets to a bustling crowd of young men from Yemen, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Chad, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan I noticed a young boy in his teens who was desperately trying to find a small pair of jeans that would fit him - most of the trousers we had were for someone rather more substantial! As the crowd thinned he quietly came over and asked in French if we had any smaller clothes - he explained he was from Chad and when I asked his age he told me he was 17, a little older than my son. He told me that he had travelled through Libya and then taken the dreaded boat journey to get to Italy. Alive to tell the tale, he said he just wanted to get to France so that he could claim asylum and start studying again, but his attempt to cross the border had been unsuccessful and he had heard too many stories of border police taking documentation away from unaccompanied minors, to try to cross the border ‘legally’. It was heartbreaking - my daughter is about to leave home and has chosen to go to West Africa to teach English for a year. She will come and go effortlessly (well perhaps not in COVID times!) and live with a host family, who will care for her, whilst she is there. This quiet, polite young boy was alone, navigating his way across countries and borders, dealing with the obscurities of local ‘refugee’ politics, with no security whatsoever, in order to try to create a brighter future for himself. It was with a heavy heart that we drove back across the border this evening - we had provided warm food, some clothing and bedding for these young people, and they are always unbelievably grateful and appreciative, but realistically we can do little else for them.
• 11 avril 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  In spite of torrential rain in Ventimiglia we managed to serve hot food to about 60 people last night - tucked under our huge umbrellas! The coats, shoes, waterproofs and sleeping bags were gone in a flash and hopefully will have kept some of the young refugees warm last night. There is still no update with regard to the establishment of a new Red Cross Camp in the area, so the refugees are entirely reliant on the volunteers and various associations to provide food, clothing and basic medical care for them. As ever they express gratitude and appreciation when we have a chance to talk to them. Thank you to all of you for your donations which make it possible for us to buy new supplies for the refugees.
• 16 mars 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Inspite of all the border restrictions, curfews, local lockdowns and general Covid chaos we managed to get 3 vehicles and a team of 7 down to Ventimiglia on Saturday evening to take our turn providing hot food and food packages to the refugees on the border. All the clothes and bedding and blankets that we took down were gone in a flash and we think that we served about 120 hot meals! The refugees were from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Sudan predominantly - and as ever very appreciative of the little that we can do for them. There were 3 families with young children who were in the queue for food as well. It is heartbreaking to see such young children (5 or 6 years old) out on the streets with their parents, who are desperately trying to find some safe haven for them. Local associations do their best to shelter them for the night but it is always on a first come first served basis. Italy has now enforced local lockdown as the dreaded Third Wave sees numbers soaring again - we can only hope that the authorities will continue to let the assortment of local volunteer groups travel to Ventimiglia to distribute food and clothing to the refugees - there is nobody else to do it!
• 13 février 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Et voici un petit mot de la part de Françoise!Après super collecte nourriture et vêtements ce matin, nous voilà bien rentrés de Menton, presque pu tout transférer dans 2 micros voitures italiennes et une petite camionette ...il y avait quand même la camionnette de Félix remplie à ras bord et la voiture de Shara idem.... et sous une fine pluie, pas annoncée là-bas pour ce soir...donc les baches ont été reçus avec bonheur !! Ils n ont sinon rien pour se protéger de la pluie ! On leur a laissé les 6 baches ...qui seront bien employées pendant leurs maraudes...et distribuées en partis aux réfugiés ! Sinon tout ok Merci à tous !!
• 13 février 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  As you can see for the pictures we drove a very full van and a very full car down to Menton to hand over food parcels, hot food and plenty of blankets, sleeping bags, coats, hats and scarves to the Menton/San Remo team who loaded it all into their cars and drive it down to Ventimiglia to hand it out to about 70 grateful refugees on a cold and wet evening. We are really grateful to them for helping us out as there have been some tricky moments at the border now that France has tightened controls at the ´frontière’ and we may well have had a problem getting back into France as Fayence is more than 30kms from the border! Good team work!
• 9 février 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  We are supposed to be going down to Ventimiglia to hand out hot food and clothing this Saturday but due to Covid restrictions at the Franco-Italian border we are going to be unable to go in person. Luckily the team from Menton/San Remo are going to help us out and will do the food distribution in the evening. We will drive everything down to Menton on Saturday afternoon and hand it over to them so that the refugees still get a warm meal and some clothes in the evening! On another note, we have had news from Calais this week where the conditions are pretty appalling due to the snow and cold weather - but apparently many of the refugees currently in Calais have come through Ventimiglia at some stage and when asked if they came through Ventimiglia, they all smile and say that they are wearing warm clothes because of the associations taking care of them in Ventimiglia - good to know!
• 17 janvier 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Hier nous sommes partis pour Vintimille, en espérant qu'il n'y ai pas trop de problèmes avec le couvre-feu ( tout s'est bien passé). Nous avons distribués de la nourriture chaude, du thé, du café, des sacs de nourriture, beaucoup de sacs de couchages, des couvertures, des chaussures, des habits, des bâches protectrices a des migrants très reconnaissants, dont beaucoup n'avaient pas mangés le jour précédent et ne mangeraient pas jusqu'au Lundi. Cette fois la grande majorité venait de l'Afghanistan, du Bangladesh et du Pakistan et ils ont parlés de leur long trajet pour arriver ici en mélangeant le Francais, l'Anglais, l'Italien et beaucoup de langage des signes. On arrive a communiquer d'une manière ou d'une autre avec ceux qui veulent parler. Leur gratitude est visible et ce sont les petites choses qui sont les plus importantes- la nourriture, les habits et les sourires. Beaucoup sont souriants et communiquent avec nous tandis que certains sont visiblement affligés par leur experiences et d'autres sont épuisés par la vie sur la rue. La police les fonts avancer et leur disent qu'il ne peuvent pas être sur la rue après le couvre feu et pourtant ils n'ont pas de camps ou de centre de croix rouge pour se réfugier. Ils voulaient savoir comme nous quand cette épidémie se terminerait. Impossible de les rassurer sur cela. Nous y seront de nouveau dans un moment du moment que les frontières restent ouvertes. Un grand merci pour vos dons qui ont permis d'acheter des sacs de couchages, des manteaux et d'autres nécessités pour les réfugiés dans cet hiver froid. Comme vous pouvez le voir dans la photo la camionnette est retourné vers Fayence avec des caisses et des sacs vides alors que nous y sommes allés avec des voitures remplies!
• 17 janvier 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Yesterday we headed down to Ventimiglia, hoping that the curfew would not create too many problems for us on the way back (it didn't!). We handed out hot food, tea, coffee, food bags, endless sleeping bags, blankets, shoes, warm clothes and protective tarpaulins to extremely grateful refugees, many of whom had not eaten since the previous day and would not be eating again until Monday. This time many of them were from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and talked about their lengthy journey getting here - in a mixture of French, English, Italian and plenty of sign language! We somehow manage to communicate with those of them that want to talk - once they have warmed up with a hot meal and some tea! Their gratitude is visible - the simple things mean so much - warm food and clothing and friendly faces. Many are smiling and communicative, a few obviously very distressed by their experiences and some just weary of this life living on the streets and not knowing if and when their situation will ever change - none of which is helped by Covid. The police move them on and tell them they cannot be on the streets after curfew - but what does that mean to someone who doesn't have a refugee camp to go to or a Red Cross centre?? They wanted to know when Covid would be over - wouldn't we all!! Impossible to give them any sort of reassurances. We will be down there again in a month's time as long as the borders stay open. Once again - many thanks for the funds that you have donated which allow us to buy 'luxuries' like sleeping bags, coats and tarpaulins for the refugees. As you can see from the photo, our van returned to Fayence with empty crates and bags - and we went down with laden cars and vans!
• 4 janvier 2021par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Quelques photos de notre maraude de ce samedi le 2 janvier - toujours sous la pluie - mais avec les bâches installé par Pierre-Marie, les réfugiés pouvaient s' abriter un peu du vent et la pluie. Nous avons utilisé les fonds de GoFundMe pour acheter des grands bâches pour les réfugiés - un grand merci à vous tous pour les dons! Bonne année à vous tous:-)

  
  

  We were down in Ventimiglia on Saturday evening to hand out hot food, warm clothes and large tarpaulins that the refugees can shelter under. We set them up against the fence and they could eat their meal sheltered from the rain and wind. Pierre-Marie showed them what they needed to do to install them and handed out the tarpaulins that we were able to buy with the funds we have through GoFundMe - so a big thank you to you all for your donations! And Happy New Year:-)
• 21 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Et quelques mots de la part de Francesca -

  
  

  “Alors que Francoise et moi meme nous étions occupées à distribuer les vêtements, je me suis mise à parler à un jeune homme de 20 ans. Il me raconta qu’il était Afghan et que cela faisait 20 jours qu’il était a Vintimille. Comme un grand nombre d'autres réfugiés, ses papiers lui avaient été pris. En Afghanistan il était professeur d’anglais, mais il avait toujours peur, me dit-il. Peur de Daesh, des Taliban et d'Al - Qaida. Alors, avec deux amis, ils se sont partis. C’était le debut d’un voyage de deux ans effectué seulement à pied. Je lui ai demandé si sa vie était meilleure ici, à Vintimille qu’en Afghanistan et il me répondit instantanément “100 times yes”. Il ouvrit alors ses bras et pointa du doigts Francois, Shara, Becky et tous ceux qui distribuaient la nourriture. J’ imaginais un sourire derriere son masque quand il dit: “All of this is better than the bombs in Afghanistan” (Tout ça est mieux que les bombes qui nous tombent dessus en Afghanistan). Contrairement à d'autres réfugiés avec qui j’avais déjà parlé auparavant, cet homme avait encore le sourire et un sens d’humour malgré les choses affreuses qu’il me racontait. Son optimisme et son espoir étaient remarquables. Il me dit qu’il voulait gagner la Suisse où il pourrait retrouver son oncle, et qu’il avait dépensé toute ses épargnes (10 milles euros) dans ce voyage. Admettre la défaite n’était donc pas une option. Ce qui me choqua également était son ouverture d’esprit. En effet, il me parla des caricatures de Charlie Hebdo et du fait que chaque individu avait son propre choix quand à la religion qu’il/elle voulait pratiquer. Néanmoins, il partagea également des problèmes qu’il avait. Entre autres, comme la majorité des réfugiés a Vintimille, faire une demande d’asile est compliqué. De plus, il me dit qu’au cours de son voyage il avait demandé qu’on lui refasse ses papiers. Or, à chaque fois la police écrivait mal son prénom, intentionnellement, pour que ses papiers n’aient pas de valeur. Sans papiers et avec très peu d’argent, le véritable problème pour lui était qu’il ne pouvait plus envoyer de l’argent à sa mere en Afghanistan: la seule personne dans sa famille encore vivante.”
• 21 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur
• 21 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Ce samedi, 19

  Décembre, sous la pluie, une équipe de 12 maraudeurs/euses était sur place à Vintimille pour accueillir et donner un plat chaud aux réfugiés, ainsi que des vêtements chauds et des sacs de couchage et des couvertures!
• 17 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  You may notice on the Pays de Fayence Solidaire Appeal page that Francoise Boogaerts is now the beneficiary of all donations made to our appeal. She is the treasurer at PDFS and all donations that we have received have been transferred from my account to PDFS. We have just changed the settings to facilitate all accounting, whereby all donations will go directly into the PDFS account. Thank you so much for your continued support!

  
  

  Avec cette mise à jour je voudrais juste confirmer que Francoise Boogaerts, trésorier pour l'Association Pays de Fayence Solidaire, est maintenant bénéficiaire des fonds reçus pour notre 'Pays de Fayence Solidaire Appeal' et que tous les fonds reçus avant aujourd'hui ont été transférés à l'Association. Merci beaucoup pour votre soutien!
• 14 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  La situation à Vintimille à l'heure d'aujourd'hui est la pire qu'auparavant. D'après ce qu'on a vu, il a plus de 200 refugiés maintenant à Vintimille dont des femmes et des enfants qui se trouvent désormais sur la rue car Caritas ne peut seulement en loger un nombre limité. Des ONG françaises et italiennes demandent alors au gouvernement italien et la Mairie de Vintimille de réouvrir La Croix Rouge ou au moins d'autres organisations qui pourraient améliorer la situation actuelle. Des organismes d'aide font de leur mieux pour fournir les réfugiés avec de la nourriture et des vêtements qui tiennent chaud. De plus, la presse locale italienne cherche à sensibiliser le plus de monde sur cette 'crise humanitaire' qui se déroule sous notre nez. La grande majorité des réfugiés arrivent d'Ethiopie, du Soudan et de l'Érythrée. Nous faisons une collecte de la nourriture, des vêtements chaud, de couvertures et sacs de couchages afin de tout emmener à Vintimille le Samedi 19 Décembre.
• 10 décembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  The situation at Ventimiglia is pretty horrific at the moment. Women with young children are now finding themselves on the streets and Caritas can only find lodging for some of them. Both Italian and French NGOs are petitioning the Italian Government and the local council in Ventimiglia to reopen the Red Cross Camp or something along those lines, as there are over 200 refugees there. Aid agencies are doing their best to provide food and warm clothing for them and the local Italian press is trying to raise awareness with regard to the ‘humanitarian crisis’ that is taking place on our doorstep. Most of the current refugees come from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan - and are fleeing conflict zones and wars. WE WILL BE TAKING HOT FOOD, WARM

  CLOTHES, BLANKETS, SLEEPING BAGS AND BASIC FIRST AID SUPPLIES DOWN TI VENTIMIGLIA ON SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER
• 27 novembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Just a few of the new sleeping bags that we managed to get into the back of the car to take down to Ventimiglia!
• 27 novembre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  We were down in Ventimiglia again at the weekend with food, clothing, blankets and a few sleeping bags which we handed out to about 90 refugees, who were as grateful as ever to have a hot meal, some warm clothes and friendly faces to greet them. As ever their situation is precarious, with no Red Cross camp open and the damage caused by Storm Alex still affecting the local area. The nights and days are getting colder as winter closes in and they are always desperate for warm blankets and sleeping bags so please keep our Sleeping Bag Appeal in mind if you have a few euros to spare:-) Thank you for all your generous donations - you should see the delight on their faces when they realise we have sleeping bags to hand out!!
• 7 octobre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Juste pour info.......un don de €20 achète 1 sac de couchage:-)
• 7 octobre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Last night PDFS distributed 100 food bags, lovely new sleeping bags, blankets and clothes to the refugees at Ventimiglia. Francoise sent these pictures of the car park that we normally use, right by the river! Apparently everyone was in amazingly good cheer, very pleased to see them and absolutely everything that they took down, went -

  "Très belle maraude ce soir! Absolument tout est partie et beaucoup d'heureux parmi eux. Pas de place sur le parking donc (nous) sommes restés très proches et plus d'échanges que d'habitude!

  Thank you so much for your generosity - we will be going back down to Ventimiglia at the end of the month if not before.
• 6 octobre 2020par Shara Quartermaine, Organisateur

  Following the awful weather this weekend, a team from Pays de Fayence Solidaire is heading down to Ventimiglia today to hand out food parcels, SLEEPING BAGS and blankets! It has been difficult to get any accurate information as the whole area is a disaster zone, with most means of communication down. But people have been amazing and are rallying the troops to help where they can. Thanks to your donations and the generosity of Decathlon we were able to buy 17 new sleeping bags that should keep some of the refugees warm. Ventimiglia was under water as the flood waters and rivers arrived at the sea - there is mud everywhere and it is going to be difficult to find somewhere clean to hand out food and supplies. Thank you for your support!