St. Omer Children’s Centre

This week we went to the children’s centre at St Omer to deliver shoes, clothes and toiletries. This is a place where minors who want to claim asylum in France can stay, and also those who are trying to get to the UK can go for up to five days respite.

We met with some hopeful young people eager for a chance to go to school and be integrated into a community. We spoke with them, played dominos and taught basic English. We also delivered messages of hope from Valentines High School in the UK.

“It was a real delight to see five year old Sanam smile as she opened the messages from our school” said UK teacher David Rey. The children shared dreams they had a for a future and a desire for a peaceful and tranquil life.

However those who are still trying dangerous means to get to the UK desperately need safe passage; many have family there and night time crossings on lorry’s are a terrible risk.

The things we took will help with their basic needs this winter: shoes, underwear and waterproof jackets. But we get very few in small enough sizes for the young boys. If you can help please get in touch via www.care4calais.org