Rural solidarity is organized after storm Nils. In Vic-Fezensac, in the Gers, around ten residents responded to the call of a woman in her seventies to clear her property this Saturday, April 18, exchanging a few hours of work for wood. Reporting.
Gloves on her hands and fleece tied at the waist, Carole wastes no time. Since 8:30 a.m. this Saturday, April 18, she has been crisscrossing Régine’s property, lingering in particular in the old children’s park. Its objective: to clean and clear this space as quickly as possible.
“I saw Régine’s call, asking for help to clear her property,” says this resident of Marambat, a small town in the center of the department, with 419 inhabitants. “She proposed an exchange: a little wood for help. The idea seemed nice to me, it also allows you to meet people. We collect wood and, at the same time, give them a helping hand. Why not?”
Because Régine is going through a difficult time. Aged 74, this resident of an isolated hamlet in Vic-Fezensac suffered significant damage during the passage of storm Nils, on the night of Wednesday February 11 to Thursday February 12. Several trees fell on her property, also leaving her without electricity for five days.
An exchange of wood for time
Used to fending for herself, this time she found herself overwhelmed. “It’s been two months… The storm uprooted seven or eight trees. It was a disaster: the carport, the outbuilding were crushed. I had to call in a pruner, it wasn’t within my capabilities. And since then, I’ve been working alone ten to twelve hours a day.”
But fatigue eventually set in. Aware of her limits, Régine decided to appeal for help. “Today, there are things that I can no longer do. So I proposed a solidarity project in Vic’s group. People responded. I exchange a little wood for a few hours of work. And we will finish at 1 p.m. with a friendly meal that I offer to the participants.”
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Storm Nils: “The dark worries me…” Alone at home at 74, Régine has been without electricity for 5 days
Despite a few withdrawals, around ten volunteers mobilized in a warm atmosphere. Together, they move the fallen logs, clean up the debris and tackle the collapsed cabin. “We have to empty everything, clean everything: there are tiles, beams, a lot of broken things. The idea is that she can then rebuild, perhaps a small garage to store her things,” explains a participant.
Friendships made
For volunteers, this outpouring of solidarity also has a concrete interest: building up a reserve of wood. “It’s always appreciable, especially with the cost of living. We haven’t been here for long, so we didn’t have any stock. There, it’s give and take. And then, I had already met Régine before, the flow went well.”
During this ordeal, Régine can also count on Jonathan, a faithful friend, present from the first moments. “Jonathan is still there…” she confides, moved. “He helped me a lot, especially during the storm.”
For this young father, who came with his son, the commitment is natural. “It’s just friendship. I know she’s alone a lot. It’s important to have people to rely on, and if I can help her when she needs it, I do.”
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