Hello,
Aide et Espoir-Help and Hope is celebrating it's ten year anniversary!  Thank you so much for your all your interest and support,
               Jacky Malotaux, founder and president.
 

Our adventure began in 2015 when we first heard about the Syrian refugee crisis and the desperate need in Greece for everything from clothing and food to compassion. In response, we filled a car with donations from Lauzerte and drove it to Athens.

 

In October 2015, a small group of us met in Lauzerte, united by a desire to help. By the end of the month, our association, AIDER – Aide et Espoir (Help and Hope), was officially registered. From the very beginning, countless generous people joined us. In 2016 alone, we organized seven fundraising events – and we haven't stopped since! Over the past decade, our wonderful volunteers have organized more than 70 events, ranging from community meals and concerts to poetry evenings, yard sales, garden sales, afternoon teas, talks, and even a very successful art auction!

 

In October 2017, AIDER – Aide et Espoir (Aid and Hope) was officially recognized as a humanitarian organization of general interest, enabling us to issue tax receipts for donations – a significant milestone that strengthened our capacity to serve and expand our mission. All of this was made possible thanks to the energy, compassion, and unwavering commitment of our members – who have contributed over 30,000 hours of volunteer work! This tremendous outpouring of solidarity has allowed us to purchase over €20,000 worth of essential goods and aid each year, in addition to the numerous in-kind donations we continue to distribute.

 

Beyond material assistance, human connection and hospitality have always been at the heart of our mission. Many of our members have welcomed refugees from all over the world into their homes, including families from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. We also helped some of these highly vulnerable asylum-seeking families obtain visas to travel legally and safely, and we provided them with accommodation and support. Thanks to these combined efforts, our organization became involved in numerous other humanitarian actions:

 

• On the ground, in refugee camps, where our members spent weeks volunteering, participating in all sorts of tasks: construction work, organizing warehouses, distributing food and clothing, and above all, bringing a little human warmth and hope for a better life.

• We also created safe spaces in Athens and supported integration projects, such as a hair salon offering employment opportunities.

• Educational and long-term housing initiatives to accommodate displaced families, notably in partnership with organizations such as There You Go and Love Without Borders.

• Ongoing support for families in France, especially those who, despite their refugee status, still face obstacles such as school fees for children or young adults, education and transportation for a family in Istanbul, and driving lessons in France to promote their independence.

• Support is also provided to Yazidis in Iraq, still living in camps after the genocide.

 

We have so much to celebrate and warmly thank all our volunteers, donors, and supporters. We do so wholeheartedly.

 

At the same time, and on a less optimistic note, we cannot ignore the dramatic evolution of the political and social context. The number of refugees increases every year, but interest in and compassion for them have not only diminished but have even become, in many cases, openly hostile. Around the world, and even here, compassion for refugees has too often given way to fear or hostility. Yet, faced with this situation, we must remain true to our values: empathy, humanity, and solidarity. These principles have guided us for ten years and will continue to do so. Compassion is not a weakness; it is courage in action.

 

The past year has been marked by its share of challenges. Organizing events has become more complex, and we rely on your help more than ever, whether through financial contributions, offers to host refugees or participate in events, or simply by raising awareness of our work. The needs remain, and so does our determination.

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Our 10th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate, express our gratitude, and renew our commitment. Who knows what the next ten years will bring? What we do know is that with your support, we will continue to provide assistance—and, more importantly, hope—to those who need it most.

 

As we celebrate this decade together and look ahead to the future, why not mark the occasion with a special donation?

 

"Small or large, every gesture counts: each one strengthens our capabilities and our shared determination to make a difference. Do your part where you are; it is these small acts of kindness, added together, that transform the world." - Desmond Tutu

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