CRAFTING A TINY FLOWER

Dunkirk, France, 17.09.25

Our work continues to take place with people seeking sanctuary, on either side of the English Channel. Yesterday it was backdropped by the seemingly already faltering ‘one in, one out’ scheme launched this week between the UK and France.

The rain held off throughout the afternoon as we worked with the @medecinsdumonde team in the roadside distribution area outside Dunkirk. In this harsh wasteland where hundreds of men, women, children and families struggle to survive, the large dynamic medical team methodically set up its mobile clinic to receive people. Psychosocial support was made up of ourselves, a psychologist and a speech therapist, the size of our team enabling us to work inside the activities van, at a table outside and around the large world map.

Inside the van, people patiently waited to see the doctor or to be taken to hospital. We were told of the police expulsion last night in which tents and bedding were removed, leaving everyone we met sleeping on wet, bare ground. Several had flu-like symptoms, obviously needed to sleep, resting heads on the tabletop, yearning for home comforts.

At the outdoor table, plasticine offered a rich, engaging activity for children of all ages. A miniature flower in a pot was beautifully crafted by a young girl and it was appreciated by others around her. A little boy delighted in the material, leading some older teenagers to ask for a piece of plasticine, adding to the growing display of small objects. One young man from Kurdistan made a bracelet with his mother’s name, while a second from Eritrea told us he speaks to his mother at the same time each day, tells her he is fine, and told us he so misses her.

Around the map several people needed to tell the story of their journey while others respectfully listened. There were lots of questions, including whether the UK is a nice place to live. With so much polarised rhetoric on migration issues, we were witness to many small moments of kindness, resilience and care.

Words by Miriam Usiskin, Bobby Lloyd & Johannes Maertens.