As the sun sets over the deserted streets of Lyon, one woman sets out on a mission of compassion. Since March 17, every evening at 7 p.m., Fatima Ait, a registered childminder in her forties, leaves the safety of her home to assist the homeless population left stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Married with three children and working at a local kindergarten, Fatima could have chosen to stay home like many others during France’s lockdown. Instead, she felt compelled to act. “Coronavirus is a monster,” she says. “But staying at home was not an option for me. I had to do something at my own level, like a simple citizen. I could not let them starve to death.”
With NGOs and food banks closed, and public fountains shut off by local authorities, Lyon’s homeless found themselves without basic necessities. Recognizing their plight, Fatima and a group of friends began traversing the city’s empty avenues, providing food, water, and essential supplies to those most vulnerable.
“Every night, we meet people who have nowhere to go, nothing to eat or drink,” Fatima explains. “Their situation has worsened, and they feel forgotten.” Her grassroots efforts have not only offered tangible aid but also a sense of hope and human connection during a time of isolation.
Fatima’s actions exemplify the power of individual initiative in the face of global adversity. Her story resonates as a reminder that empathy and solidarity know no boundaries, and that even in the darkest times, acts of kindness can shine a light.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
