In tribute to little Dounia, who left too soon
“With Yanis Boumaaz, Sirine Abouhafs, Veeren Vee, Kader S., Sofia Kari, Mehdi Boumaaz, Fatiha Mahmoudi, Sarra R., we were a group of leaders at the Langevin school in Montpellier on extracurricular time in the nursery section in 2021, lunchtime, evening, Wednesday and during school holidays. We took care of little Dounia, among others, but unfortunately she was suffering from a very serious illness, bone cancer. Very quickly, Dounia was taken out of school, because she was too fragile to be around other children who did not pay particular attention to her. We would go to her house, visit her on certain weekends to bring her toys, laughter and smiles.s…, confide, not without emotion, Sabri Drayf and Youcef Abouhafs, after-school animators at the City of Montpellier, but unfortunately, some time later, the mother announced to us the death of her daughter. It was September 14, 2022. She was 5 years old. »
A new solidarity association for families and children
Sad, shocked and upset by this unbearable news, the colleagues at the Langevin school absolutely want to do something. On October 23, 2022, in tribute to little Dounia, they are launching a festive and solidarity event at the François Lanot stadium. Thanks to a call for donations from businesses, they are organizing this day called: Dounia’s smile. Tombola, coloring stand, archery, makeup workshop… “ It was a memorable day. 3,000 euros were collected, thanks to the entrance fee, the workshops and the refreshment bar, and given to Dounia’s mother. At the same time, an online prize pool was launched. 600 euros were thus donated to the NGO Sourire d’origine to dig two wells in Bangladesh and Nepal in the name of Dounia. Following this event of October 23, and faced with the emotion of Dounia’s mother, the whole team decided to create an association: Les Sourires2.
Charity events, mobilization and homework help
« The first smile is that of little Dounia, which links us to life, and the other Sourires2, will be declined in Sourires2 back to school, Sourires2 success… The first objective of our association is to help and support families in difficulty and sick children, explain Sabri Drayf and Youcef Abouhafs, co-presidents of the association officially created on April 18, 2023. The Arceaux football club, through its president Jean-Philippe Bacou, has provided us with support and indisputable confidence since our beginnings. François Lanot, who was no longer president, came to see us during this event on October 23, Le Sourires 2 Dounia. Later, in December 2023, thanks to the mobilization of certain parents, we were able to support a family who was going to find themselves on the street. Then, the mayor-president Michaël Delafosse helped us find accommodation for this family of three children, the youngest of whom was only three years old. “, explains Sabri Drayf.
The brand new and young association has a series of events and solidarity activities. In particular with a charity football tournament with agents of the City of Montpellier, Agents Montpellier Cups, in June 2023, then Les Sourires2 Le Retour, in December 2023, and Les Sourires La Rencontre, on 1is November 2024 to promote educational support for local families. The funds from this Les Sourires2 La Rencontre event made it possible to acquire educational materials for academic support.
Mutual aid, kindness and sharing of values
In August 2024, Yanis Boumaaz and Youcef Abouhafs, members of the association, made a solidarity trip to Morocco in Nador and Chefchaouen. They notably visited an orphanage in Nador; 300 kg of clothes were collected for this operation. Since November 30, Les Sourires2 has also been organizing maraudes in the city center to give clothes and food to the homeless. “ We asked our families to cook dishes for the maraudes planned every other Saturday. »
And when we ask the young co-presidents what drives and motivates them… “ My philosophy is mutual aid, kindness and sharing of valuesreveals Sabri Drayf. My mother couldn’t help me with my homework, I benefited from academic support, and it was my turn to return the favor “. From where she is, little Dounia must certainly be very proud of Sabri, Yanis, Sirine, Hakem, Hicham, Fatiha, Veeren, Laure, Valentin, Cyril, Firdaws, Bilal, Kawtar, Léa, Réda, Ines, Chaïma, Krys , Randa, Kaïs, these young people, who with so much generosity commit to doing good and helping others.
