To me, the most memorable and significant part
of the weekend was going into the camp at various times on Saturday, both to
distribute food and to help construct the shelter. Seeing the situation and
meeting the people there gave me a greater love for those people. I loved that
so many came to help build the shelter in the afternoon. We arrived and started
working and the first person to show up was the man who would be getting the
shelter. He jumped right in without hesitation. Many others arrived and pitched
in. When we were finished, it was amazing to see their appreciation for the
help we offered. At one point while we were building, I was invited over to
warm my hands over a fire. While talking with the young men there, they
commented that I would be going to a warm home, but they were going to still be
in the cold. One of them immediately commented though to the other than what we
were doing for them was much needed. And later another man said that the
shelter he had was warm. It is difficult to be limited in the ways we can help,
but I have no doubt that the refugees are grateful for the things we do and you
could see it in the face of Asad (I believe that's how you spell his name,
correct me if I'm wrong!!) as we left him there with his newly constructed
shelter. We only spent a few hours there with them, but I truly feel like they
are my friends and I wish them the best of luck in the future!
- Tiffany Michelle Rae
As the day passed by cold winds brought a bitting chill to the air. Our team had faced various
challenges throughout the construction of the shelter, with uneven ground
formed of rubble, litter and mud; and a lack of appropriate equipment. However pressing forward the team attempted to get the shelter up as quickly and efficiently as
possible before the evening was upon us. A young man desperately trying to keep
warm wrapped up in his duvet came to sit behind the van to take shelter from
the wind. He relayed the story of his perilous journey from Iran to Calais to one of our team mates Reg.
Mostly on foot this young man travelled half way across the world to escape
oppression and persecution in his own country. Hitching rides, begging for food
and hiding in vans this young man travelled for 18 months seeking a better life
than the one he had previously known. Now he sits, hungry, cold and of poor
health in an overcrowded camp in Calais clinging on to the little hope he has,
that one day he might not hunger, that one day he might not thirst, that one
day he might live rather than survive. What a powerful story he has. No doubt similar to many of the people sharing these miserable conditions in Calais. Meeting these people and hearing their
stories has been truly life changing. Leaving them however, upon completion of the
shelter, is entirely heart wrenching.
- Danielle Vernes
I’ve been to Calais 3 times now, volunteering mainly at L'Auberge
des Migrants International warehouse, but also at the Care4Calais warehouse,
this past trip.
There is a comradery and uplifting spirit that permeates both
the work, and the people involved. Everyone is there strictly for ONE purpose –
to help those who are in no position to help themselves.
Being a part of something that does so much good is amazing. I
have worked my fingers to the bone, and my back and knees will bear witness to
it, but the work is easy when we are making others’ life burdens lighter. It
was amazing to spend all morning Saturday turning out about 400 “goody bags,”
and then going in the afternoon to distribute them to members in The Jungle
that afternoon. And even spending Friday morning helping in the C4C “kitchen”
preparing the lunch meal for all the volunteers was a labour of love. Enjoying
the banter back-and-forth between the staff members and the volunteers – I
truly felt like I was in some subliminal form of “charity heaven.” I could live
a life like this, easily.
I have especially loved getting to know the intrepid Hettie
Sashenka Colquhoun. She is brilliant and has an ancient soul. Looking over her
operation and those who hang around and help her operation are also amazing and
wonderful. Just being at the L’Auberge warehouse always makes me “feel” good!
For those who have not been but could go over and volunteer –
YOU SHOULD! For those who are in no position to go over – there is SO MUCH else
that needs doing! Coordinating and collecting donations, money, and even
spreading the GOOD experiences of those who have gone is still helpful. You
don’t have to have a passport for that!
I loved all 3 visits I have made, and will DEFINITELY be going
back when our crew goes again! “Doing good is a pleasure – a joy beyond
measure. A blessing of duty and love.” LOVED IT!
- J’net Stapleton
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