- ATD Fourth World

ATD Fourth World is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary of its work in Reunion, how is the Movement doing?
Georges Faubourg : The Movement is doing well, but we still need volunteers and the number of families in difficulty is increasing.

For over 30 years, ATD Fourth World has been striving to eradicate extreme poverty, but this seems to be impossible.
GF : According to Xavier Godinot, our regional Indian Ocean delegate, society as a whole must be aware that extreme poverty violates human rights, and that everyone, especially those in a decision-making position, must tackle it.

So what is ATD Fourth World doing to mobilize these decision-makers?
GF : We are trying to meet them with families. Every year, on October 17th, the International Eradication of Poverty day, we try to make people aware that extreme poverty is not a fatality, that it is the fault of humans, and thus it can be eradicated.

So what are you doing on the island?
GF: A lot of things have changed in the last 30 years. We have a group called “Access to Fundamental Rights” that assists families with dignity to win back their rights, rights to health, to accommodation, to culture etc. There is also the “Family Vacation” project which allows poor families to stay with another family for a week-end or a week of relaxation; we also have street libraries and the Fourth World Youth.

So why are young people so important for ATD?
GF:  Young people hold tomorrow’s future in their hands. When we look at statistics, they are the ones who are the most impacted by unemployment; that’s why so many of them are protesting in Europe. This should be the main concern of our leaders.

What is ATD doing to help young adults in Reunion?
Sylviane Richard :  ATD is assisting young people. We have a group called “Fourth World Youth”. These are young people from different backgrounds, students, young working adults, young unemployed people; we organize get-togethers from time to time at the Fourth World House for a week-end, and we debate about how to become a part of the general society, how to find a training program that will lead to a job, how to exist in life by living something you are passionate about.

How does ATD Fourth World succeed in managing these young people, considering their difficult backgrounds?
SR :  Sure, they come from tough neighborhoods, but we trust them because, as George said, youth is a chance for our future.

So how do you meet them? SR :  When I first started, I lived in the Port district, so I met them in the streets or in the neighborhood. Or sometimes it’s just young people who talk to other young people. For a lot of them, their parents are already involved, for others it’s the Street Library, so those are paths they are trying to follow.

How does the Movement work?
GF : We have what we call allies, people who either give time to money to the association to help out. Then there are families we have been following for a year, ten years, thirty years for some of them, and who introduce us to other families in difficulty. There are also three volunteers.

Who are these people?
GF:  These are people who devote their entire lives, or a good part of it to ATD Fourth World in exchange for a small remuneration. But Sylviane can tell you more about that.

Why did you become an ATD volunteer?
SR :  It’s a lifestyle choice. Thirty years ago I decided to become a volunteer. Father Joseph Wresinski, the founder of the movement, came to Reunion. Then I took part in the 1985 International Youth Meeting, and became aware that extreme poverty was not a fatality, and that people had to unite and commit themselves to eradicate extreme poverty.

So as a volunteer, what do you do?
SR :  I manage meetings, take care of a library in the Rue du Port, I’m also with young people involved in the Fourth World Youth Movement and as a volunteer, we also listen to families. As Father Joseph said, families are the most important.

Why does ATD have street libraries?
SR :  It’s to help little kids want to like reading, to help them like school, like books and through children, we are also in contact with their parents.

What does ATD do to take care of families having a hard time?
GF: No, we don’t take care of families. The goal of ATD is to accompany them, not to be in charge of them. And by doing this, we try to make sure that their rights are being respected. We accompany them for long periods.

How does ATD highlight fundamental rights?
GF:  With the Access to Fundamental Rights group, we meet up to speak about current events, about social problems and that leads us to precise cases of families that are in difficulty and then it leads us to these families so that we can accompany them. We’re currently setting up another group that will do the same thing.

But what’s the use of meeting up just for thinking and talking?
GF:  That allows people to become aware of different problems in the general public surrounding them and to search for solutions and see if public authorities need to be alerted.

What conclusion do you have about 30 years of ATD presence in the Island?
GF: When I think that we are reconsidering the right to health! Right now, the right to accommodation is a right that has just been put in place, but will it be sustainable? At the speed we’re going we could end up fifty years in the past.
SR :  When I was setting up the photo exhibit for the 30th anniversary of ATD in Reunion, I noticed that many new accommodations had been built. When ATD came to Sans-Souci, that allowed us to get water and electricity and to mobilize the population. Today families tell us that this allowed them to join other associations and to continue to have their neighborhood progress.

What are ATD’s projects for 2011?
GF:  ATD doesn’t have any precise projects, we will be doing some fund-raising and we also are trying to make people aware that poverty does exist on our Island.

Do you ask for donations?
GF:  No, we don’t do that directly, but we are a legally certified association where you can deduct 66% of your donation from income taxes. You can donate at: ATD Quart Monde, route nationale, 1 Grande Ravine 97426 Trois-Bassins, Reunion Island.

What heritage did Father Joseph Wresinski leave you?
GF : He is our main spiritual guide. We often read what he wrote; he was a forerunner in terms of dignity and supporting families. And there will be a movie,“ Joseph, the Rebel,” that will be shown in the Vladimir Canter room (University of Saint-Denis) next Friday at 7.00 p.m.

And does Father Joseph Wresinski still have lessons to give about today’s society?
GF:  His books help us continue the fight. He reminds us that we are not there to provide welfare services, but there to accompany families and assist them with dignity.