THE JUNGLE CAMP, another Calais trip completed. Mumtaz Ali of HPCA and Abid Hussain (Calais Refugee Aid) returned exhausted, elated, and enthused after brilliant Ramadan weekend in The Jungle Camp. They were particularly thrilled by a chance to meet other volunteers from UK groups, residents of the camp and other camp organisers doing multiple of essential tasks.
Each of the 21 yumi biryani pots they took were welcomed and eaten with relish. Their kitchen hatch saw biryani and salad, snack bags, fruit and water delivered to in excess of 2,000 people right up until 2am, despite the generator twice playing its tricks.
Mumtaz said, " I also spent time in the Jungle Book Cafe with the unaccompanied children between the ages of 9 - 18 and spoke with Sikandar, the overseer of the cafe. the gifts of rice, tins, cakes, chocolate, sweets and Eid gifts were greatly appreciated. The teens cherished just being safe in the camp and being provided for.
All this would not have been possible without you out there and your contributions. Keep digging deep because you will be called upon again and again until someone does something to provide these people with a permanent home and a regular income."