“Respond to the lack of inclusive access to water“, this is the objective set by the town hall of Bordeaux through the inauguration of this project on July 26th. This 6-meter-long container serving as a mobile bathroom for the homeless and migrants represents the start of the return to normal. “I have examples of people in the street who tell us that they don’t want to go to CCAS, not to have a job interview, not to take action because they don’t smell good.“, attests Aimeric Enard, president of the Bordeaux Red Cross.
The idea is to restore dignity to allow reintegration. “By allowing access to the shower, we strengthen their self-confidence“, explains the president of the Red Cross.”This reinforcement allows a first step back to work or to social workers to allow social support. It is very necessary. “
“We didn’t want it to be done on the sly”
Arranged on the Place des Quinconces next to the Ferris wheel, these showers were not placed at random. “We didn’t want it to be done on the sly, in hiding. It’s good that the people of Bordeaux also know that in their city, this problem exists”, specifies the mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic. The vast square also fulfilled the practical criteria of visibility. “It will be quickly spotted by the people concerned, in particular all the homeless. Word of mouth also needs to work quickly. It is a central and well-known place, it seemed particularly suitable for this type of equipment. “
This first version is an experimental model connected to a water inlet installed for 5 months. Ultimately, the Bubble Box association aims for energy self-sufficiency and water recycling through the development of a filter in collaboration with a Montpellier start-up. Once the development of this filter is finished, these Bubble Boxes will be able to recycle 90% of the water used. Thus, the container can be itinerant in the region and allow a maximum of people in a situation of wandering to access hot and free showers.
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