As its name suggests, it is a solidarity bus, a mobile branch which provides support to vulnerable people. Already on many French roads (Ille-et-Vilaine, Yvelines, Var, etc.), a solidaribus was officially launched on the Pessac campus this Friday, November 15 to “go to” students in the Bordeaux metropolis.
“This mobile antenna is not intended to provide food or material aid, but rather access to other rights: health, culture, leisure, well-being, IT, etc. Things complementary to all other actions necessary for student or adult life,” declared Denis Laulan.
The secretary general of Secours populaire de Gironde is with Jean-Pierre Ferré, general director of Crous Bordeaux-Aquitaine to inaugurate the vehicle financed in part by the CVEC (contribution to student and campus life). The cost of its acquisition and development amounts to €70,000.
“Comfort and dignity”
Many associations work with students, particularly for food distributions. But for Jean-Pierre Ferré “when it comes to solidarity, there are never too many of the student population”. Especially since the initiative aims to “fight against a form of isolation, particularly with regard to students housed in university residences”, the project having been born from the observation during the Covid pandemic where students were confined and isolated on campus.
Concretely, Solibaribus is a camper van designed to accommodate the public. Inside the vehicle, a space with a table can accommodate up to six people. The objective is to “receive everyone with comfort and dignity”, adds Charles de Rivoyre, project manager.
Every Wednesday, the vehicle will travel to the university districts. The service offered on board varies depending on the campuses and the skills of the volunteers available.
Appointment
The next meetings with Solidaribus are in Pessac, on November 20, from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Ausone, Joséphine Baker and Lumières V3 residences, and on November 27 from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Crous Le Forum cafeteria. Other dates are planned in Bordeaux in December at the Résidence Budos and at the university restaurant Le Mascaret.
The vehicle will also travel through rural white areas where Secours populaire is not present. This is the case for southern Gironde, where the association will visit from January 2025. During the summer, the mobile antenna will continue its mission:
“We will offer leisure activities and days of happiness to families and students who do not go on vacation,” adds Charles de Rivoyre.
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