Children of precarious families, the big forgotten holidays

In Saône-et-Loire, in the heart of the last preparations before the day in Paris

In the background of the Secours Populaire de Saint-Marcel, near Chalon-sur-Saône, Colette Bony’s phone does not stop ringing this Monday morning. Nevertheless, In the middle of the caps. Moreover, t-shirts and bricks of fruit juice, the departmental treasurer of the Secours populaire orchestra The last preparations for a very special exit. Consequently, This Wednesday. Consequently, August 20, 89 children from Saône-et-Loire aged six to 16 will go to Paris to participate in the big day of the forgotten holidays, organized by the association.

With four volunteers. Furthermore, the septuagenarian plaifies badges for the guides and filled with food and clothes the backpacks sent by Paris for the participants. Therefore, “It’s a big organization yes!” We are a bit on the stuff there. “she smiles, while waiting for each children precarious families, big forgotten manager to come and recover the freight body corresponding to his group of five children.

Two buses. a very special train – Children precarious families, big forgotten

In reality, it has been more than six months since volunteers in the department and the region are preparing this 80th national anniversary. If Paris oversees and finances the day on site, each delegation is to organize locally. “We find families, we take care of all the logistics,” explains Colette Bony. Buses, trains, it is prepared! In Dijon. this Wednesday, a train specially chartered for the occasion will take a total of 1,100 beneficiaries from all over Burgundy-Franche-Comté to Paris.

Shakil and Assyah Joomun, six and five, are just waiting for that. “I want to see the Eiffel Tower in real life. climb at the top,” imagines the little boy, glasses on the nose and sparkling eyes. He never went to Paris and saw the monument only on television. “Since I announced children precarious families, big forgotten to them, they keep wondering when we leave,” reports Asmaa, their mother, a volunteer from Secours Populaire. A promise of unforgettable memories for these Saint-Rémois who did not have the opportunity to go on vacation this. year.

“Why would the poor have the right to go on vacation?” »»

Upon their arrival in Paris around 8 am. the Saône-et-Loiriens will enjoy a riding boat trip on the Seine before joining the children of other departments for a giant picnic on the Champ-de-Mars. “Of course, eating is important,” said Colette Bony. “But leisure too. Why would the poor have the right to go on vacation? In all, nearly 40,000 people are expected this Wednesday afternoon on the Champ-de-Mars around entertainment, a giant karaoke and surprised concerts.

Marylou Czaplicki