Creating links between young people and isolated seniors

Dear difteurs,

On January 6, I was lucky enough to experience an unforgettable day with 1 Lettre 1 Sourire. On my first day as a civic service worker with the association, I discovered all the magic that can come from a simple letter.

📍 Direction Orléans, where our mission was to create a unique link between two SEGPA classes and the residents of the Ambroise Croizat home. It wasn't just a meeting, it was a real alchemy between two very different worlds: curious pupils full of life on one side, and elders brimming with wisdom and stories to tell on the other.

It all started with letters. 💌

These scraps of paper, filled with sweet words, questions and confidences, truly connected the two generations that everything usually separates. What's more, an amazing game took place, as residents had to guess which young person was hiding behind each letter, thanks to clues hidden in the texts. Between the laughter, the knowing glances and the hugs, the atmosphere was incredible.

This moment showed just how much more a letter can be than a collection of words, it can become a bridge, a footbridge between generations who, at first glance, have nothing in common, but who, deep down, share the same humanity. ✨

As I left, I had only one thought: why not recreate this alchemy again and again?

Dear difteurs,

We had the immense privilege of being contacted by Zaho de Sagazan to run letter-writing stands before the start of her concerts as part of her Zenith tour.

Tonight, she was in Brest... 📍

The crowd flocked to enter the Brest Arena. There are regulars who follow her on tour, the curious, children excited at the idea of attending their first concert... The watchword tonight is joy!

Once there, we set up our stand and don our yellow down jackets.

Some know our association, others are just discovering it. 🌟 What a joy to allow everyone who wants to to write a letter! The little ones are so cute: "Look Mommy, I'm going to write a letter to Grandma! ", "How do you spell Zaot?"....

Then it's time for the long-awaited concert. The sound and light show is incredible. After the concert, a few more letters are brought in. It's time to head home in the...well...Brest rain! It has a special flavor when you receive it with the joy of having participated in the rejoicing of lonely people.

We then took the letters to an old people's home in Plouzané next door to us. As we distribute the letters, we think of the faces of those who wrote them.

We came in all simplicity and we leave happy...with smiles on our faces! ✨

Ambroyse, volunteer for an evening