“How not to think about it again when you see these bombings, these destroyed houses, these people who are fleeing! » The war in Ukraine reminds Bernard Helgen, 94, of painful memories of his pre-adolescence. At 12, in the middle of World War II, the native of Saône-et-Loirien was forced to flee with his parents and five brothers and sisters. The family was welcomed by strangers and today, he in turn wishes to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in his house in Bordères (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), a village of 600 inhabitants 20 kilometers from Pau.
– Manon Claverie
“I take up the words of Abbé Pierre: when we haven’t given everything, we haven’t given anything! »
Bernard Helgen
“We have to do our best to welcome them. We can’t leave these children, these women and these men in this state, come on! » He has lived alone, for ten years, in the family house, the first floor of which is empty. Two large bedrooms are available to accommodate “at least three people would be good”. The retired worker wishes to share the little he has with these Ukrainians fleeing the war. “I take up the words of Abbé Pierre: when we haven’t given everything, we haven’t given anything”he says.
300 volunteers in the Pau conurbation
Like nearly 300 inhabitants of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, he contacted his town hall and then had to fill out an online form, in order to report as a volunteer to welcome a family. He is waiting to find out if these 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, pictured in his living room, will make new Ukrainian friends. “I also count on my neighbors to keep them busy because, at my age, I no longer drive,” the nonagenarian smiled from his recliner.
– Manon Claverie