24/11/2024
On Thursday afternoon I found a boy tucked in the back of Seamus ( my campervan) when I returned to the car park from shopping at the supermarket.
As I put the shopping inside I thought the back shelf of the van looked more dishevelled than usual & the blankets & cushions looked just a bit different. I gently patted the cushions/blankets felt something round and hard & there he was.
We both scared each other. He was as shocked as I was. Then I thought well maybe it wasn’t such a shock for me after all- it’s freezing cold here today.
He climbed out when I went round & opened the back door. He’d managed to open Seamus rear door, but there was no damage.
He seemed embarrassed and was so very sorry. It was clear that he spoke very little English so I used Google translate to try and talk with him.
He told me his name - he’s just 16 from Sudan & has been here in Calais for 30 days. He was very specific about how many days. He was young and thin.
I showed him a New Arrivals guide that sets out all the support that exists for refugees here- it’s not enough of course. We have it in Arabic. He seemed to know about it and about Care4Calais. I explained I was a volunteer with refugees & he kept saying the words ‘thank you’ & ‘sorry’.
I feel very sad about him - especially as tonight there was another vigil. A vigil to remember two more people who were found dead on the beaches in France yesterday.
I am thinking about his mum too. How worried she must be for the safety of her child.
I guess at least for a short while he was snug and warm in Seamus. On top of a comfy mattress topper underneath teddy bear blankets.
Please. Tell people.
Care4Calais Volunteer
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