Calais
No one could have guessed the profound and far-reaching consequences of the decision of one of our first Robins when he got into his car in December 2015 and set off for northern France.
Without any real plan or even the slightest idea of what to expect, he travelled kilometre after kilometre, driven by youthful naivety and the absolute will to help people who had been dealt a cruel hand by fate. It was to be the start of a long journey full of hope, with doubt always lurking at the wayside. But as hard as the work and scepticism can sometimes be, it is also wonderful to smile at each other when you have been able to create a little happiness together with other people. It was a new beginning, but northern France was only the first stop: the journey is still ongoing...
In the north of France, in the town of Calais to be precise, is the Channel Tunnel, through which trains run to London every day; in addition, ferries depart from the port across the English Channel. It is a small, unremarkable European town – or so you might think. However, for a year, from autumn 2015 to autumn 2016, something unique took place in the heart of Europe. People from all over the world, all seeking a better life, were stranded there on a pile of building rubble: men, women, children and entire families who had travelled thousands of kilometres to escape war, persecution, poverty and a lack of prospects – only to encounter deaf ears and growing fences in Europe.
An illegal refugee camp has now been established at this border. Or rather, a small town has emerged, like any other with many peculiarities and facets, which has become known as the ‘Jungle’. A large proportion of the inhabitants march there every night, walking two hours there and back under the cover of darkness, risking their lives to jump on a train or lorry, always with the goal of reaching the United Kingdom in mind. The attempts almost always ended in failure. As a standard procedure, they were met with a dose of tear gas and a truncheon ‘treatment’, courtesy of the French police.
The camp lacked everything: sleeping places and clothes were scarce, and even medical care was only available to a limited extent. While the UN, other major aid organisations and the French and English governments were conspicuous by their absence, volunteers from all over the world came to help, not wanting to stand idly by. Distribution points for clothes were set up, kitchens were built to provide hot meals every day, tents were pitched, a youth centre was set up for the large number of unaccompanied minors, concerts were organised; this list could go on forever. More Robins from Switzerland quickly came to help and make everyday life at least a little easier for these people. Not wanting to stand idly by and watch as the people stranded in Calais experienced even more suffering, and wanting to make the world a little better place, they brought clothes, tents and financial resources all the way from Switzerland. During this emotional and disturbing time, our first Robins gained experience and impressions in working with refugees. BE A ROBIN was born.
At its peak, the ‘Jungle’ had over 11,000 inhabitants, including over a thousand unaccompanied minors! The French state could no longer ignore this, which is why it cleared the camp at the end of October 2016 with the promise of granting each and every resident a fair chance of asylum. Unfortunately, this is only partially true – many refugees, especially children and young people, can now be found in Calais and the surrounding area again, looking for a chance to cross the channel...
Projects
On the ground, we worked hand in hand with Choose Love (former HelprefugeesUK) and L'Auberge des Migrants, as well as many other smaller organisations.
- Volunteers from Switzerland were welcomed, housed in accommodation and introduced to the structures of the camp.
- Sneaker collection at Club Revier
- Collection at the Openair Frauenfeld festival, hundreds of sleeping bags, tents etc. were driven to Calais
- Magician Hörbi was invited to Calais with several shows in the camp
- Financial support for Junglebooks, Junglefitness and Coldfood Distribution
- Coordination of the ‘Welcome Caravan’, where new arrivals were provided with tents, sleeping bags, blankets, etc.