Chis year 2024 was to mark the 28the anniversary of Christmas without loneliness. Since 1996, based on the idea of a group made up of young people from the Peyrouat district and coordinated by CaféMusic’, a New Year’s Eve meal on December 24, sometimes accompanied by gifts, was organized for the benefit of poor and/or lonely people.
In more than twenty editions, some revisited due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Christmas Without Solitude welcomed up to “350 people” on a single New Year’s Eve, recalls Bindi Mahamat, one of the kingpins of this operation . “It hurts my heart. I have people who have come to express their disappointment to me,” regrets the man who is also a socio-cultural facilitator at CaféMusic’.
Unmissable, Christmas without solitude has also become “time-consuming” for a CaféMusic’ in transition, which has returned to its historic site after three years of work. “Structurally, there were two of us working on this event, my colleague Rajaa Ferchichi and myself,” says Bindi Mahamat.
Donations on the decline
Another element that could explain the end of this New Year’s Eve: the decrease in donations. Supported by local aid associations, Christmas Without Solitude relied on subsidies paid by the Fondation de France, but also by companies and individuals. “In the event of dynamics at the level of the Social Platform, we are ready to support it so that this operation can continue. I find it a shame that no one will start Christmas again without solitude,” regrets Bindi Mahamat.
Bindi was one of the main driving forces behind this annual solidarity event.
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And added: “The town hall also launched an appeal. » Contacted, the Marsan Social Platform, through its manager, Marion Maisonneuve, mentioned the following elements: “We were contacted by CaféMusic’ at the beginning of 2024, because the structure was well aware that She wasn’t going to be able to take charge of the event. We made a presentation to all the associations on the platform, hoping that someone would take over this action. In terms of availability, of volunteers to mobilize, this was not possible. We are facing a shortage of volunteers and especially of leaders able to carry out large-scale actions. »
The first in 1996
No Christmas without solitude this year, therefore, but Bindi Mahamat still agrees to delve into her memory and evoke the first, organized at the Georges-Brassens room, in December 1996. “We were around 150 people, counting the volunteers. Everyone pitched in. We had food donations from restaurateurs, bakeries and the Food Bank. »
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit France and the world. Not enough to demotivate Christmas volunteers without loneliness. They adapted and organized a drive to leave no one behind and it was only in 2022 that everyone was able to meet again around a good meal. “After Covid, it was important to see people again, it felt good to get back into habits. »
In order for this solidarity gathering to continue, local authorities are said to be “thinking” about hosting the event next year.
