The Bagagerie d'Antigel of Paris
230, rue Lecourbe - 75015 Paris

Here, people in great precariousness, who have no roof and are most likely to live on the streets, are welcome. The Bagagerie offers them hospitality and friendship as well as a locker where they can, with complete peace of mind, leave their personal belongings and papers. All of them are in contact with an association that accompanies them in their social reintegration actions. Yet this difficult life is tiring and these people do need a break, for a few days, so as to catch breath and give back by helping others.

The lockers

A work camp, with some users of the Bagagerie and volunteers, is thus under preparation. It will take place from April 29th to May 4th, 2017 at the Maison du Sappel, in the countryside, by the forest, at 900 m above sea level, in the Ain department.

What is our project?

To allow 6-7 users of the Parisian site of the Bagagerie to spend 6 days in a perfect place, in the heart of the countryside, in a fraternal atmosphere of sharing and mutual aid. We think that this halt in their exhausting daily life can be for them:

• an opportunity to share a time of service, all together, users, administrators, volunteers;
• an opportunity to physically exercise in a healthy manner;
• a break from the fatigue of a life on the streets;
• a suggestion of "landmark" for future reference;
• a place of sharing and spiritual journey.

Such a "work camp" fits well with the objectives of the association La Bagagerie d’Antigel since it is part of a dimension of fraternity "volunteer-users", mobilizing the resources that each one carries for the benefit of all, in a climate of respect and friendship and spiritual proposal that allows everyone to grow in humanity.

The Maison du Sappel, with its resident couple and a network of volunteers, welcomes families from the fourth world, people in precarious situations and volunteers for sessions and times of spiritual recovery or training.

Regularly, work camps are presented to volunteers who wish to share a time of conviviality and relaxation while serving this house. Various small maintenance works are required inside and outside: gardening, trail maintenance, wood storage for winter, small masonry work. Working hours alternate with moments of relaxation, creativity, walking and community involvement.

By its location and spirit, the Maison du Sappel is the perfect place to live this experience with some Bagagerie’s users. Unforgettable moments they will all long remember! These few days of work help to reshape unity in everyone: leisure, work and spiritual life, in a climate of kindness and fraternal love, a factor of "better being" for everyone and particularly the Bagagerie’s users!

What is the budget?

I am Sr. Danièle, initiator of this project. I will attend this session as its facilitator, while Sister Marie-René, Daughter of Charity, will kindly serve the kitchen. Djaffar, former user who is currently member of the Board of Directors of the Bagagerie d'Antigel, will be our driver to cover the 470 km and take us to this dream place!

The accommodation costs are modest: €20/night and €15/day and per person. The reductions correspond to the valuation of the work provided, i.e. €8 per hour worked.

The users will soon give you news on the blog of the Bagagerie d’Antigel.

Our warmest thanks for your support!