“I am involved in an activism of meetings, demonstrations, readings. We see a democracy increasingly abused, and not much happening. For me, supporting Asya's family meant doing something useful, concrete, visible. There is so much frustration, incomprehension, and anger elsewhere. It’s also very satisfying on a personal level. » This is what drives Magali Cordeau, volunteer for the Cent pour un roof association, in tandem with her colleague Olivia Gaillard.
The commitment of these teachers at the Bernard-Palissy high school was forged in a hurry. One of their students, Aleks, was at risk of expulsion. With his mother, Asya, and his three sisters, he fled the war in Armenia. The family first took refuge in Belgorod, in Russia, where they had to take nationality, before joining France. In July 2023, Hundred for a Roof chose to publicize this situation. A return to Russia could mean, for Aleks, enlistment in Putin's army.
“Absolute distress”
“A chasm opened before us. We had practical questions. We benefited from the association's experience. Society has become much tougher recently. It feels good to know that there are these people who campaign on a daily basis,” says Olivia Gaillard. The two teachers accompany the family through “labyrinthine” procedures. “We discovered, with great amazement, the obstacle course that refugees experience. I didn’t think I would live in such a mistreating country,” confides Magali Cordeau.
Very grateful for the welcome they received, Asya and her children are very involved in Saintes.
Archives Ph. M. / SO
“We discovered, with great amazement, the obstacle course that refugees experience. I didn't think I would live in such a mistreating country.”
The principle of Hundred for a Roof is to support people “without a roof, but not without rights” with the help of around a hundred donors. The Saintes branch was born in 2019. “We received people with the anti-eviction committee. It was heartbreaking to see these people with children living outside. We needed a structure to shelter them,” rewinds Emmanuelle Cantrel, who accompanies a Georgian family.
Philippe Ménard / SO
Olivia Gaillard and Magali Cordeau surround Asya, whom they accompany on a daily basis. Emmanuelle Cantrel (right) helps a Georgian family.
His commitment resonates with his personal journey. “My father was violent, my mother had to run away. At 10, you just get a teddy bear and you have to leave. You lose everything, it's something terrible, all your points of reference are lost. I can understand the absolute distress people feel. »
Looking for accommodation
The association works on a case-by-case basis, depending on its means. Today, she supports five families. For Asya's, the procedure continues. “It’s very difficult to look for work without having papers. I cannot do my job as a pharmacy technician and accountant. I do housework, thanks to service employment vouchers. It’s better than not working,” describes the Armenian, who also volunteers at the Solidarity Café.
In Saintes, Hundred for a Roof also helps two Georgian families. “Georgia is considered a safe country, you have to provide proof that if you go back there, you will die, it’s not easy,” emphasizes Emmanuelle Cantrel. She appeals to find them accommodation. The father, who works, can contribute to the rent. The other family has just arrived. “They have an extremely disabled child. There, conditions of access to care are deteriorating very quickly. »
child soldiers
Two other families are followed towards the Arvert peninsula. Concerning one of them, Hundred for a Roof prefers to remain discreet. For the other, Francine Piou, relay of the association with her husband Gérard, has good news. “Fatiah, originally from Somalia, has just obtained her refugee status. She left the country to protect her children. The Shebab wanted to transform the boys into soldiers and impose an arranged marriage on his daughter. »
Francine Piou could not stand “the sadness of the children and the anguish of the parents” whom she accompanied to a reception center for asylum seekers. She highlights how the stability offered by the association facilitated their integration. “The children are succeeding in their education, the future is much brighter than four years ago. When you don't have a place to stay, you can't invest in anything else. A family can't sleep outside, that's out of the question. »
Support concerts
La Sociale Chorale Punk performs this Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. at the Saint-Pierre market, and the next day at 11 a.m. at the Saint-Pallais market. A contribution to the hat will be donated to Cent pour un roof. To contact the association, tel. 06 42 39 81 63 and email: [email protected].
