Tuesday, 12 January 2016

French administration takes some getting your head around.

The building was packed to discuss how we are managing helping to get asile/ ayslum for now 16 refugées. One left last weekend supposedly for a few days but we are not sure if he will return.
For the others after a meeting with the new Prefect (who is very nice apparently and cracks jokes) our representatives were told that the Dublin convention would  definitely be overlooked, he has the power to do this. We will get future help with paying train fares to Paris, but we will not be reimbursed for the money already spent. That annoys me very much and I cannot see the justification.
Also the boys have to stay in a CADA until their applications are fully processed about 3 months at the moment. The refugées can only stay at Rehoboth till the 14 th of March.
Many of us had hoped to put them up but that will not be possible initially until their applications are processed. The next problem is the CADA's are all full, so how does this work?
French lessons are continuing and we are encouraged to speak French with them a much as possible.
It is quite an eye opener into French administration  being involved with all this, which to an outsider  all seems quite bizarre.

Good morning Val & Malc
Sounds like it was a frustrating meeting.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to be wondering about the chap who has left. Please can you tell us : did he just up & go ; were the authorities told ; he was allowed to just leave ; where has he gone ; and what of his welfare??
I hope some solution is found very soon. Good luck with the continued fund raising.
Karen
Val replies
It was a typical meeting, with many questions because of the situation unable still to be answered. Positive in that the benevoles are still being active and supportive.
The refugee who may have left told me he had friends in Lyon where he could get building work and so when he left for Lyon, perhaps he will stay and complete the asylum process there. These men are not in prison up at Rehoboth and they have the right to decide to leave or stay. As yet we are awaiting news but we were told by the Prefecture right at the beginning there are always some who are not happy and leave. 
It is isolated where they are which is why so much time is spent ferrying them around.
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