I am originally from Tarn-et-Garonne, daughter of farmers. I grew up in the rural world, where I myself worked at a very young age as well as seasonally.
I am a special education teacher by trade. I devoted the first part of my life to supporting people in great precariousness and psychological suffering, in particular at the Samu Social in Paris.
This journey has confronted me with extremely difficult situations, and with a system that is sometimes outdated, which is struggling to provide answers that live up to human dignity. I remember very significant moments, such as having to guide someone towards solutions that we know are insufficient... for example, sleeping in a car park.
Today, I define myself as a committed pragmatist, which has chosen to transform its findings into concrete action. And to get things done, I have to play an activist role from time to time!
With Earth 2 Cultures, the association that I co-founded in 2019, we make the link between two realities:
We propose another way of thinking about the integration of refugees... and another way of thinking about agricultural work.
Our approach is simple and concrete: we offer a complete package with a job with a farmer, whom we also support, we guarantee a dignified housing solution, and local human support.
We believe that integration starts with work, autonomy and social ties.
Contrary to some very theoretical paths, we bet on trust: refugees are able to be operational quickly, as long as they are given a chance.
Our team works a lot in Peer-help, with a form of mentoring by people who have gone through these journeys themselves. It changes everything in the relationship and in the effectiveness.
If I had a magic wand, I would start with reduce fears and preconceived ideas, which still greatly hamper collaborations, especially in the agricultural world.
I would facilitate links between public actors and the field, so that initiatives like ours can more easily find their place and be recognized.
I would also change some very precarious work models, to encourage more sustainable forms of commitment, beneficial both for farmers and for the people supported.
Finally, I would give back time and attention to the human person: to leave a logic solely guided by urgency or performance, to put the quality of relationships and the dignity of each person back at the center.
My wish is that this alternative becomes contagious by evidence :
show that wherever relationships, trust and dignified conditions are created, it works.
Because, deep down, French rurality has always been a land of encounters, transmission and solidarity.
I recommend that you meet Clémence Skierkowski, co-founder of the CADA-Ferme “La Terre en Partage”, an association that welcomes asylum seekers in a participatory living space, combining accommodation, learning French and agricultural activities in permaculture.
