Red Cross marauders celebrate New Year's Eve in the streets with the most deprived

OLivier holds a hot soup in his hands. The 51-year-old homeless man has his “corner”, “over there”. The man avoids groups, he takes care of his solitude, but willingly comes to see the marauders of the Bayonne Red Cross. “They do this in their free time, they may have children, family and they are here tonight, December 24. We must thank them. »

Like six evenings a week, volunteers travel the BAB to meet the most deprived. Évelyne Duchange, Mylène “avec-un-Y-j’y-tien” Rico, Julien Cohen and Jacques Cazalé will meet around forty people and return home during the night, around 1 o'clock. “Let’s say we have New Year’s Eve together,” Évelyne smiles.

For this special evening, a Tetris of carefully wrapped packages occupies the back seat of the van. “Associations have prepared gifts for street people. We don't know what the boxes contain, it just says 'man' or 'woman' on them. We're going to distribute them. A little attention. » In addition to blankets. Or a hot drink, unsold sandwiches and pastries from Bayonne bakeries.

“Go to”

“As many are closed tomorrow, we had a lot this evening. But our primary mission is not to feed people,” notes Évelyne. The Red Cross is establishing a link with the most vulnerable and hopes to see them again during the day, particularly on Wednesday afternoon at the relay support unit. “There, we try to encourage 'going towards'. We can, for example, support them in their procedures, simply to call a service and direct them. They are received by the marauders, for them, it is not the institution. »

“They do this in their free time, they may have children, family and they are here tonight, December 24. We must thank them”

Poor workers

A simple stop, Place des Basques, concentrates a significant number of street problems. Olivier, the easy-going guy, who has “nothing against others”, but wants to stay quiet. “I don’t bother anyone, I leave where I sleep clean. Often, when I wake up, there's a pocket with a little cheese, some apples, that's nice. »

Julien leaves work. A fine film of dust on his glasses conveys the turbin: “I'm working as a mason at the moment. A construction site at a private home in Bidart, but I have another in Capbreton. » This 36-year-old Breton crosses France, enters temporary employment agencies and sells his work force into today's “hobo”. “It’s not a choice. » A story of a lost job and a downfall that he faces with his head held high and his back aching from sleeping in his car. “At least I have shelter, I consider myself a bit privileged. »

Myriam hands him a surprise package. He will find some hygiene products there, perhaps a scarf or a hat. ” THANKS ! It’s so nice! » This is the reaction of almost everyone. Because one man out of the ten now around the van is not satisfied with the present. He would like another one. Myriam explains to him that this is not possible, “we need something for everyone”.

The man has an aggressive attitude. Better to leave. The street remains a world of exhaustion and tension, with unstable balances. Red Cross volunteers and others from the solidarity community absorb a lot of this tension. Olivier is right, we must say thank you to them.