This is the fifth consecutive year that the associations “Tous citoyens”, “Réseau Éducation Sans Frontières” and the political party PCF des Alpes-Maritimes are organizing a collection and distribution of school supplies for families in great precariousness.
320 backpacks, 1800 markers, 15,000 double-lined papers, 1200 Bic pens, 130 plastic folders, 250 highlighters, donors are generous this year. At the premises of the political party in Nice near the port, 30 volunteers are already there to sort the material and prepare for the donation session. 2 PM marks the opening time, and in front of the property, a crowd of families is waiting for their turn to receive school goodies on the eve of the start of school.
Mask on the nose and social distancing, there is no risk of forgetting the health rules while waiting. Each armed with a numbered ticket, the children do not hide their joy at the idea of receiving a new backpack or a pretty little notebook. “Number 21, please,” announces David Nakache, president of the association “Tous citoyens”.
As he prepares to offer a school bag to a little boy, another mom speaks up: “I am glad that there are donations like this in the city, it helps us a lot“. Most of the families present come to support their children of various ages. High schoolers, middle schoolers, or even elementary schoolers, within the collective there is no age limit to benefit from the donations. The PCF of Alpes-Maritimes as well as the collective “Tous citoyens” have issued a call for donations throughout the department.
“The foundation of education begins with integration”
It is a certainty for David Nakache, president of the collective “ Tous citoyens“: “the foundation of integration begins with education”. According to him, it is important and essential that a child lacks nothing before starting school to begin a year well. “Nothing too complicated, a pen, an eraser, a pencil case, a ruler, to prevent them from being helpless during the year,” adds the volunteer.
According to the president of the association, it is mainly undocumented families who attend the donation distributions. “They don’t always have the means to provide for all needs, so it’s necessary to help them with school supplies.”
Five years already that this operation has continued with several other associations and has no plans to stop. “Our goal is to give away 300 backpacks today!” declares Eliane Guigo, a volunteer within the association. Happy and determined to help, she does not hesitate to take care of several people at once. “So far 25 people have received donations since the start of the distribution,” she concludes.
Solidarity runs in their genes; the volunteers of the collective do not just offer school materials. In the midst of a health crisis, they do not hesitate to provide boxes of masks as well as hydroalcoholic gel for families who cannot procure them.
Another distribution session will take place Saturday, September 4th from 10 AM to 12 PM at the premises of the PCF in the presence of the collective at 6 rue Balatchano, Nice.
