“Holidays are as important as soup for growing up”. Known in the 90s, this Secours Populaire slogan is still in force in 2022. While nearly of one in two French people encounters financial difficulties to go on vacation, the association will take around a hundred families on a trip this summer.
Like a wind of freedom
“This park is so good!” Shaima, 9 years old, has no time to catch her breath, she is already stamping with impatience to ride in other attractions. “I liked the slide the most, but also the ball pool!” This summer, nearly 70 children are registered for summer camps alongside Secours Populaires.
“It may seem anecdotal but it’s important to have things to tell when we come back to school.” emphasizes Thierry Mazabraud, general secretary of the association. ” The idea is to feel like everyone else. It is a popular education process. These holidays are vectors of integration, emancipation and fulfilment.”
A growing demand
Demand is up from previous years. “But even the €3.5 weekends are getting too expensive for some.” says Thierry Mazabraud. A glaring symptom the fall in household purchasing power. “The Secours Populaire asks for a small contribution for the activities, but we see that since the health crisis, those who were already just are even more so…” To try to overcome the problem, the Secours Populaire has set up instalments, allowing families to pay in several instalments. “Also, we try to support and seek all possible institutional aid to successfully complete these budgets.”
– Salome Pineda
Ukrainian families
This year, Ukrainian refugees are also joining the beneficiary families. ” I am dizzy!”, exclaims Bodgan, 12, the pearl on his forehead. Like him, around forty Ukrainians housed in the EPHAD in the La Bastide district, came to take their minds off the Parc de Bellevue in Limoges.
Drunk with joy, this young Ukrainian refugee accompanied by his older brother, Nicolaï, brings tears to their mother, Elena. “We are very grateful, because my children have a smile, and it allows us to forget the tears of everyday life.”