YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES
Souria, 57, lives with her husband in Vendée. As a family assistant in 2008, she welcomes at her home minors in social difficulties, who sometimes have to be placed to escape a violent family context. At the microphone of Olivier Delacroix, this mother explains how this profession, not really like the others, requires a strong emotional investment.
"I was in charge of the cultural season of a city in the area, and I was far from imagining this parallel world of abused children, when you have been a parent, you raised your children, you do not even imagine that there can be so much suffering in France.
[...] I have a house that is made for sharing, which has always been made for sharing. [...] When I was told about this profession, I spent a lot of time before saying, 'Yes, it's for us!' We started this profession, but in fact, we go into the unknown, obligatorily.
[...]
We have mandatory training, but we can never be prepared because we are talking about humans, and we do not know at all which child we will receive, nor how will it receive us. It's huge for him, as for us. The meeting is done, or not, and we have to deal with it.
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Souria receives between 700 and 800 euros gross per month for each child, but for her, her main reward is these little "moments" of happiness shared with her young protected
A child you receive can be completely disembodied. You tell him little everyday phrases. It may be at table, with many people: 'Here, happiness exists, it is there. We are living it, that's it. When we explain to her that her childhood is only a small part of her life, but that behind is happiness if she decides, and that there is no reason why she should do not reach, and you see it incarnate, really incarnate, it is ... immense!
Currently, this host family is home to a young Pakistani, just major and therefore about to take flight. The apprehension of departure reminds Souria that it is necessary to know how to distance oneself so as not to break down emotionally.
He is leaving, he is 18 years old. I am in the framework of the 'young adult contract' which, I hope, will be put in place [support and assistance to the professional integration for young people in social difficulties, ed ]. But, anyway, he stays with us ...
He [is undergoing training] in the kitchen. When we were eating, we were talking about Pakistan, and my husband told him that he could do that there, [...] that it could be great. [...] He answered: 'Oh yeah, that would be nice!' I had a lot on my heart. I wish him, but I said: 'Wait, I will not see you anymore ...' The whole family has already planned to go to Pakistan.
[...]
My husband has his passions, music, I did other training. I went, for example, to shiatsu [massage technique of Japanese origin, note ]. I advise all family assistants not to have their head on the handlebars all the time, it's too difficult. We have such a weight on our shoulders ... "
>> Find the full testimony of Souria, at the microphone of Olivier Delacroix
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