This Friday, October 22, the associations Unis-Cité de Dijon and Les Ateliers Yoka organized a “solidarity workcamp”. The purpose of this event was to educate young people in civic service about the living conditions of street dogs.
This Friday, October 22 in Dijon, the associations Unis-Cité and Les Ateliers Yoka organized a solidarity workcamp that brought together around a hundred people. Through this event, the objective was to make young people aged 16 to 25 in civic service aware of the problem of street dogs.
A fight against prejudices and fears surrounding street dogs
The theme of this gathering is dear to Marine Dupré, president of the Les Ateliers Yoka association. She herself has lived on the streets for several years and is very familiar with the issues related to the living conditions of the homeless and their animals.
“It is really close to my heart to talk about street dogs“, she testifies.”I myself had four dogs when I was homeless. When we are on the street, we reassure ourselves by taking animals. It is a real support.“
According to her, there are still a lot of prejudices and fears around these animals, which nevertheless have needs.
“During the day, I was able to give keys to some young people who had phobias“, she continues.”Others thought the dogs were dirty or mean. We were able to talk about all this in the workshops to free the floor. Breaking down prejudices is important, it allows us to create social cohesion, and therefore to provide more help to animals and people.“
Among the workshops offered, participants were able to take part in sessions of making rainwear for dogs, made from old umbrellas.
Young people who want to help
The Unis-Cité association brings together young people from all over France, from all social backgrounds and from all origins. What they have in common: the will to get involved in solidarity to help others.
“I wanted to participate in this day because I like to help people“, explains Jérémy Cappa, a young person in civic service present at the workshops.”When I see someone who needs help, I will help them, because I find that is what I need to do. It’s all the more important after the confinement where people have been locked up, it makes company.“
Like Jérémy, more than 25,000 young people wishing to fight against social exclusion have already carried out civic service at the Uni-Cité, since the launch of this program in 2010 throughout France.
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