The aim of the "Coffee break" project was to welcome people to the Saint Merri parish and offer them a daily breakfast.

This coffee-break service was set up as soon as the covid epidemic began.

Since then, it has continued every morning, with an average of 70 to 80 people coming every day, sometimes up to 100 when the migrant camps are suddenly dismantled.

"The parish budget is in difficulty, but thanks to the generosity of the Rosalie Projects, supplemented by occasional donations from local shopkeepers, and with the help of volunteers, we have been able to distribute 36,000 breakfasts in the Saint Merri parish over the past year." Sr Danièle

"People who panhandle in the neighborhood always greet us with a smile. Sometimes they like to have a little chat with us." Sr Danièle

"Thank you, thank goodness you're here!" says Noëlle.

Ludmilla, a Ukrainian refugee since the conflict with Russia, likes to settle down in front of the piano and play between 2 moments of solitude. "It's been such a long time since I've touched a piano," she tells us.

Papy, as he wants to be called, is very ill but doesn't want to be hospitalized. He prefers to stay with a "friend", albeit very precariously. "In the meantime... he says...."

"Nafar sometimes comes to say hello. He's clean and well-dressed, and tells us that he got by with a little work and shelter.

"Despite the negative reactions of some neighbors, especially after an exceptional influx of African migrants causing the "natives" to leave, we continue this beautiful project with excluded people in very precarious situations." Sr Danièle

Many thanks for your support at our side!

Sr Danièle