Authorities take young girl’s wheelchair

I met Siya a few months ago, a notable and sweet girl who races over to you in her wheelchair. Meeting her once means you’re fast friends in her eyes.

I had hoped I wouldn’t see her again in the Dunkirk camp as it’s being continuously cleared, and the situation is more desperate and insecure than ever. But there she was, yesterday in the drizzle, a big beaming smile throwing her arms out for a hug. Smiling, she offered me some of her dinner.

But she was no longer able to race towards me for a hug as her wheelchair was nowhere to be seen. Instead a pushchair is siya’s mode of support as, according to her family, her wheelchair was ‘cleared’ by authorities. How does this sweet young girl find time to smile and to offer what little food she has, when her situation is getting worse?