Calais Community

From Sharon De Witt.
I returned to the Dale just over 2 weeks ago having spent nearly a month in France volunteering with refugees. As ever, I have no adequate words to express my feelings in regard to these amazing, brave, warmhearted and intelligent people being so grossly maltreated by those in authority. However, this photo depicts a high spot of our visit which was at a long established small camp outside Calais. The refugees here have very little in the way of material comfort. What they do have is a wealth of friendship and a wonderful ability to live in community. Strangers are met with smiles and hospitality and we were soon participating in a delicious meal, Sudanese style. One of the refugees commented with great pleasure on the black and white hands together. I feel immensely privileged to have begun a relationship with these people and to have experienced the heightened sense of community and sharing which is sadly lacking in our Western culture.