FRANCE-CHILDREN/HOLIDAY French charity offers Eiffel Tower activities to underprivileged children

Record ID: 143438

  • Title: FRANCE-CHILDREN/HOLIDAY French charity offers Eiffel Tower activities to underprivileged children
  • Date: 19th August 2015
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 19, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GATHERED AT THE CHAMPS DE MARS IN FRONT OF THE EIFFEL TOWER (SOUNDBITE) (French) NATIONAL SECRETARY IN CHARGE OF COMMUNICATION AT FRENCH CHARITY 'SECOURS POPULAIRE', RICHARD BENINGER, SAYING: "When they are going to be asked at school what they did during their holidays, sometimes the majority of those children feel a bit uncomfortable because they don't have much to tell. Well they will tell fantastic things. You just have to look at the eyes of these children arriving here, the way they sparkle and the smiles on their faces. That is extraordinary." VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING GAMES FRENCH CHARITY POSTER PEOPLE IN CHAMPS DE MARS PARK BY THE EIFFEL TOWER ARGENTEUIL, FRANCE (AUGUST 18, 2015) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC IN STREET STREET SIGN READING (French): "WELCOME TO ARGENTEUIL, THIRD TOWN OF ILE DE FRANCE" WOMAN CROSSING STREET WITH LITTLE GIRL KIRRA FAMILY FROM MOROCCO SITTING ON BENCH IN THE PARK (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILD, SALMA KIRRA, 13, SAYING: "A holiday for me means to go out, to travel, not to be stuck in a town like Argenteuil, not to be blocked, to go out, to travel, to spend time with family, friends." SALMA'S SISTER, RANIA, SLIDING DOWN SLIDE AT PLAYGROUND KIRRA FAMILY LEAVING PARK PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 19, 2015) (REUTERS) CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GATHERED AT THE CHAMPS DE MARS POSTER READING (French): "I AM A CHILD, FRIEND OF THE WORLD" KIRRA FAMILY ENTERING THE EVENT AT THE CHAMPS DE MARS PEOPLE ENTERING THE EVENT PEOPLE AT THE EVENT CHILDREN PLAYING BONGO DRUMS (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILD, SALMA KIRRA, 13, SAYING: "I am very happy with this day. It is so great. I'd like to stay two days." CHILDREN ENTERING FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, MANUEL VALLS' RESIDENCE 'HOTEL MATIGNON' VARIOUS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVING BREAKFAST VALLS WELCOMING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES VALLS TALKING TO CHILDREN VALLS AND CHILDREN POSING FOR PHOTOS
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8HENNCDFH5WPWU95JMCDTL8F6
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of children from underprivileged families visited Paris on Wednesday (August 19) for a day of activities and a big picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower.
    The event, dubbed 'Holidays for All', was organised by French charity 'Secours Populaire' which brought impoverished children and their families from across France and 70 other countries - including those hit by natural disasters like Nepal and the Philippines - to the French capital for a day of fun.
    The charity has been holding the event for more than 30 years, for children who don't have the opportunity to go on holiday.
    "When they are going to be asked at school what they did during their holidays, sometimes the majority of those children feel a bit uncomfortable because they don't have much to tell. Well they will tell fantastic things. You just have to look at the eyes of these children arriving here, the way they sparkle and the smiles on their faces. That is extraordinary," said Richard Beninger, National Secretary in charge of Communication at Secours Populaire.
    Some 70,000 people gathered at the Champs de Mars lawns by the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday afternoon, after having spent the morning exploring monuments and taking part in treasure hunts across Paris.
    The children and their parents played games, danced and enjoyed a concert by popular French singer M. Pokora.
    One such family was the Kirras, who moved to the Parisian suburb of Argenteuil from Morocco a year ago in search of a better future.
    They said the beginning of their new life was not easy and the parents don't speak fluent French.
    They are hosted by a family member and helped by Secours Populaire.
    The father works at the local market and couldn't afford a holiday for his family this year.
    "A holiday for me means to go out, to travel, not to be stuck in a town like Argenteuil, not to be blocked, to go out, to travel, to spend time with family, friends," 13-year-old Salma Kirra said.
    She participated in activities at the charity event with her father and younger sisters.
    "I am very happy with this day. It is so great. I'd like to stay two days," she said.
    On Wednesday morning, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls welcomed a group of 300 children and their families from different parts of France to his residence and offices, where they were given a tour and breakfast.
    Secours Populaire called for donations of 50 euros per child to organise the event.
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