This village is experimenting with cohabitation between miners in difficulty and retirees

This project started in Deux-Sèvres is unprecedented. The idea is simple: to help unaccompanied minors (UMAs) from Africa live with local elderly people. Building on a successful first experience in Sciecq, a new group of young people has taken up residence in the Couture-d'Argenson reception and residence center (Marpa), report our colleagues from West France.

There are eight new arrivals from Guinea, Ivory Coast and Afghanistan. These young people, aged 15 to 17, benefit from four accommodations within Marpa. They live there completely independently, even if this cohabitation with seniors requires respecting a few rules. Among the most important, that of returning to your room before 10 p.m. and not making any more noise.

The mayor of Couture-d'Argenson is convinced by the project

But these young men play the game. Moreover, the elected officials are delighted with this respect for the elders. For them, it is even proof that living together works and that this type of initiative must be developed further. The mayor of Couture-d'Argenson, who is delighted to fill his reception structure, still had to face a few questions from his constituents.

The councilor assured them that everything would go well, and it did. The latter already imagines his football club, currently closed, coming back to life thanks to the arrival of these unaccompanied minors. He also welcomes the integration of these young people, who form real relationships with older people. Reception centers in financial difficulty could soon follow the example of this great initiative.