Westminster Record November 2016 by RCWestminster

Westminster Record | November 2016

The Last Bastion of Hope by Ann Stirling

On 22 September a team from Caritas Westminster and a small group of volunteers set off to Calais to visit Maria Skobtsova House, a hospitality house run by Brother Johannes Maertens that seeks to help the most vulnerable inhabitants of the Jungle. On arrival, Brother Johannes and his team of volunteers warmly welcomed us. After unpacking the van that had been brimming with donations, we went inside to hear more about the work that they do and the issues they are facing. There are normally around 10-12 residents in Maria Skobtsova House. The majority of the live-in volunteers are refugees themselves, former inhabitants of the Jungle who have applied for asylum in France. Together they seek out the most vulnerable in the

camp and offer support, companionship, and a safe shelter at the house to those who are on the periphery of life. They visit those who may be isolated in hospital, or look after those who may have suffered physical or mental trauma and who cannot access aid. They are a respected and safe presence in the camp. Brother Johannes told us that without any concrete solutions to the current crisis, people in the camp were now not only losing hope, they were losing their lives. We heard how the process for those applying for asylum was often protracted and that the need for volunteers offering legal advice and support to those in the camp was now acute. Shockingly we learnt that many unaccompanied children who have applied for asylum in

France are being failed by the system. With no safe shelter to go to whilst their claims were being processed, many have no choice but to live in the camp alone, exposing them to the dangers of trafficking. Babak and Ali, two Iranian refugees and volunteers in the house, invited the group to watch three poignant short films. Two of these were directed by Babak and Ali themselves: The Bridge, and a short documentary which was recently screened at Unesco, Paris. The films were a stark reminder of what we were about to witness, personal accounts of those who escaped oppression in their own countries and who were now facing destitution and the harsh conditions of Calais. Brother Johannes informed us that shortly before we arrived, the media had reported that the camp would be demolished on 15 October. By the time we visited the camp, news had begun to spread. The uncertainty of what will happen is a great worry. Brother Johannes is sure that with the dismantling of the camp, the need for help will be great, and if anything the most vulnerable will be dispersed and be even more exposed. The work at Maria Skobtsova House would continue and if

Volunteering in Prisons Caritas Westminster and PACT united to encourage more people to volunteer in prisons and with prisoners’ families. During National Prisons Week, the two charities jointly hosted an event to encourage people to reach out to those currently in prison, or those who have recently been released. Mgr Martin Hayes opened the presentation by reading an extract from Matthew 25.35-40: ‘When I was in prison you visited me’. He went on to explain that the work that prison volunteers do is truly the Lord’s work. He encouraged those present to remember the inherent dignity of everyone they meet, and to treat them with the respect. Page 16

John Coleby, Director of Caritas, introduced the story of Joseph, a prisoner, and invited people to discussand share what they had learnt from his story. Many people said they felt that Joseph was a victim of circumstances beyond his control, and they could understand his motives for committing crime. Mgr Roger Reader, the Bishops’ Prisons Adviser, explained the practical aspects of prison volunteering, and spoke about his experience of being a prison chaplain and how fulfilling he found this particular ministry. Chaplains from prisons around London, both lay and religious, also gave moving testimonies of their experiences in this ministry.

need be would adapt to become a mobile volunteering force. We walked across the rubble and sand, around us makeshift ramshackle shelters huts, built of wooden poles and tarpaulin, and rows of flimsy tents. There are just a handful of portaloo cabins to support the 10,000 or so living there and the sanitation is dire. Despite the appalling living conditions there is a strong feeling of community. Almost everywhere we went we were warmly greeted by smiles and handshakes. Friends of Babak came to meet him, hugging him like a dear brother. There is a powerful sense that amongst this living hell there are very good things happening here. We met one of Babak’s friends, one of a group of actors, all refugees living in the Jungle, who have put together a powerful touring play called ‘To be or not to be’ that describes their journeys. We found a further reminder of the shining light of humanity just off Theresa May Street, the camp’s main road. Squeezed in behind the back of several ramshackle shelters was an Afghan man in his late 40s stoking a fire; he had just finished cooking a meal. The soles of his open-toed plastic shoes were consumed and crumbling, and the heavy burden of his toil was imprinted on his face. Yet this man, who has next to nothing, insisted we all share his meal. We took it in turns to take a morsel of bread and dip it into the dish. ‘Shukran’ we all said as we put our hands over our hearts. We were all deeply moved by his extraordinary generosity. We felt undeserving of such a gesture.

The Jungle is the last bastion of hope for many, but it is also a place where community, compassion, friendship and true generosity survive and thrive. Speaking to Babak and Brother Johannes it strikes us that perhaps one of the greatest needs is for us as witnesses to become a voice for the displaced and forgotten. The very people who have had to flee their own countries for daring to speak up against injustices, and whose voices were muffled, those who were marginalised and oppressed, those who fled the bloodiness of raging wars are now calling on us to shout out from the parapets and tell the world the truth about the Jungle. They want us to dispel any doubts in people’s minds about those who are living there, to combat the persistent negative portrayal of the camp in the media, and to walk alongside them in solidarity. Sudanese, Iranian, Eritrean and Afghan all live alongside each other, forging friendships whilst living in the most appalling conditions. ‘We are all the same. There is no difference between one another’, says Babak. That, perhaps, is their greatest wish, that everyone can see them for what they are: our father, our brother, our son. The extraordinary good work of all those at Maria Skobtsova House will surely continue to bear fruit and change hearts for a long time to come. Subsequent to this visit, French authorities demollished the camp at Calais. Caritas Westminster continues to support Catholic agencies working with refugees.

Participants heard from PACT, the Catholic prisoners’ charity, about the vital work of volunteers. The evening was a success, not only encouraging more people to volunteer, but by raising interest and understanding of the circumstances of people in prison. To find out more please visit the PACT website or email: caritaswestminster@rcdow .org.uk. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/diocese.westminster