Christmas comes early thanks to FET

Beautiful, beautiful boys, today these young men who have suffered so much, no one listening to their stories can deny that. Today had an afternoon in their lives they will always remember, as will we 5 ladies who had the pleasure to be with them. Fifteen wanted to go to the mosque at Caussade and the other two came for the ride and the promise of new shoes afterwards.
The mosque visit went well and the boys met and made new friends, many of them old they said and Algerian. Jill Spearman and I did our shopping and met for a coffee nearby whilst waiting. The boys arrived and I had the foresight to bring a tray of quiche in the back of the car. I suggested if they were hungry the car was unlocked, go and help yourselves.
We finished our coffee and went for a head count, I opened the boot of the car and shrieked in horror!
My Christmas shopping had been chocolates for family and friends which was next to the quiche, half of the packets had been opened and scoffed. I yelled laughingly who started this off? The boys genuinely thought it was part of lunch!! So back to the drawing board on Christmas presents.

The French animatrice Anais had sussed out a shoe shop in Caussade and on arriving we saw if you bought 5 pairs of shoes they would be half price. The boys knew that from the generosity of theatre goers they could spend  up to 45  euros. Most shoes were 29.99, euros, half price making them 14.99
What a great three quarters of an hour we spent. I suddenly realised we had a lot of good looking boys and the giggly girl assistants were rushing to serve them.
The boys chose wisely and as we left the girls all came to the doors shouting ," bonne fêtes, bonne Noel" and one going one step further blowing kisses.
Then we went to a shop over the road selling T shirts and casual trousers so most of the boys bought a shirt and some jogging bottoms.
I had so far been  very conscious that the boys may not like me taking photos but today phones were out constantly, ending up with some great group photos. The boys wanted everyone who donated to know how grateful they are today and they themselves felt this was the best way.
Enjoy the photos and know the lads were so grateful to local theatre goers.
French books are going to be 200 euros but that is covered by TAG readers' donations.
Comments to taglines82@gmail.com

The whole group: Kurd cuddles Sudanese; Afghans and Pakistanis and even French and English ladies, all together

Shahzab asks for opinions of  his choice: Siddique looks on sceptically