There were sniffles and a shocked silence at Lake Aid’s third annual film night, as the audience reeled from the dramatic ending of Tori et Lokita. The film portrayed with searing realism the tragic existence of two young asylum seekers in Belgium, sucked into a brutal world of drug-dealing and modern slavery.
While Alpine Annecy may seem far away from the gritty urban environment depicted by the award-winning Ardenne brothers, it is nonetheless home to many asylum-seeking families. We gathered in Talloires cinema on a rainy November evening, after watching Tori and Lokita, to hear some stories from closer to home.
With immense personal courage and grace, three asylum-seeking and refugee women supported by Lake Aid took to the stage. One by one they spoke of their feelings of isolation and desolation on arriving in Annecy, and the enormous challenges they faced in rebuilding their lives in a foreign country.
Nazire told of her struggle to find suitable accommodation and healthcare for her handicapped daughter. Rosalinda spoke of the pain of explaining to her young children why they had to leave the country they loved, for a place where they did not speak the language or know anyone. Having fled violence in her own country, Seth explained how errors in her husband’s paperwork meant they had to live on next to nothing and rely on the charity of the local church.
While it was difficult to hear of such suffering, it was encouraging to hear of the role that Lake Aid played in alleviating their difficulties. Each of the women recounted how Lake Aid had not only stepped in to provide material help – school supplies, medicines, French lessons – but also emotional support.
Regular contact with Lake Aid’s volunteers had not only helped the women navigate the myriad challenges of their new lives, but also made them feel cared for and less alone. Nazire has found cleaning work and, with Lake Aid as the guarantor for her rent, can now pay for an apartment that is suitable for her daughters’ needs. Rosalinda will hear soon whether her claim for asylum has been accepted, but meanwhile her children are happy and settled in school. While Seth’s situation remains precarious, she has nonetheless offered her time as a volunteer to Lake Aid, helping out with summer camps and activities.
Three teenagers from Guinee, Ukraine and Armenia shared their stories next. Mamadou thanked Lake Aid for paying for his driving lessons and spoke warmly of the holidays and weekends he spent with his Lake Aid ‘godmother’ Suzanne. His face lit up as he described skiing for the first time with Lake Aid, and receiving his first Christmas Box, the only present he received that year. Mariana spoke movingly of her Lake Aid godmother, Yvonne, who ‘was always there to listen’, and took her on precious outings and shopping trips.
And finally we heard from Emma, who arrived from Armenia. Through Lake Aid she got an internship with the Ligue des droits de l’homme, where she is now a regular volunteer, offering advice to other asylum seekers as well as translating for Russian-speakers.
Lake Aid’s third annual film night was an emotional evening, with tears shed on the stage as well as in the auditorium. And yet the atmosphere at the end of the evening was one of warmth, gratitude and hope. Despite the hardship, it was clear that kindness and a sense of community can go a long way in helping asylum-seeking children and adults adapt to their new circumstances.
We thank journalist Isabelle Kumar for presenting the evening, and everyone who bought tickets or donated: thanks to the partnership with the cinema of Talloires, this event raised more than 250 euros for Lake Aid. Thank you all!
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