A word from the President
All summer, the HuSoMe team remained mobilised on the ground, true to its commitments and by your side. Thanks to your support, our work was able to continue, adapt and keep meeting the most urgent needs.
We are keen to keep you informed of our initiatives and partnerships, and to share with you the highlights of this autumn. Below is an overview of the events, meetings and memorable moments of recent weeks for our team and our partners.
With all my gratitude,
Professor Raphaël Pitti, President, HuSoMe
Autumn highlights
The autumn got off to a brisk start, with rich discussions and inspiring meetings that remind us why we act, together.
A necessary discussion at the CDCS (Crisis and Support Centre)
In the first week of September, our team went to the Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) to review the situation in Ukraine. At a time of cuts in public grants to NGOs, these moments of dialogue are essential: they allow us to rethink how we work, pool our strengths and consider new forms of solidarity on the ground.
Giving a voice to humanitarian medicine
Professor Pitti spoke on RCF in the programme “What is becoming of humanitarian medicine?”. A fascinating conversation about the new challenges of care, changes in the humanitarian sector and the need to keep ethics at the heart of medical practice, even in times of crisis.
Listen to the programme on RCF (in French)
A meaningful sponsorship in Nancy
On Friday 5 September, we headed to Nancy for the ceremony at which a year group of medical students chose its sponsor. Professor Pitti gave a speech full of humanity and experience, tracing his career and recalling the importance of the link between medical commitment and civic commitment. His message deeply touched the students, whose year group he now sponsors.
A moment of pride and emotion
The next day, at the graduation ceremony, pride was palpable in the lecture theatre. Seeing these young doctors pass this symbolic milestone also means seeing a generation of curious, open health workers grow up, aware of what is at stake in the world.
The whole HuSoMe team sends them sincere congratulations and best wishes for success in the rest of their careers.
Week of 8–14 September: the road goes on
After a busy first week, the autumn continued like a real solidarity road trip: inspiring meetings, unexpected exchanges and moving moments that remind us that humanitarian work is above all a human adventure.
Stop 1: a meeting full of poetry
On Tuesday 9 September, our first stop took us to Mr Jean Taslin and his partner, who had a lovely surprise in store for us: a painting given to the association, by the visual artist Ghislaine Escande. Inspired by Ziad Medoukh’s poem “The olive trees still grow in Gaza”, the work aptly captures the sensitivity and depth of our collective commitment. A big thank you to them for this symbolic gesture, a testimony of sincere support and of a strong link between art and humanitarian work.
Stop 2: focus on strategy
Still on 9 September, the day continued with a stimulating meeting:
with Professor Ibrahima Ba, a fundraising expert. Over coffee, ideas flowed: how to better showcase our work, mobilise businesses and tell the story of our missions with impact. Professor Ba will also lead a training session for our team on 25 September, devoted to designing a press kit to encourage private partnerships. We are looking forward to it!
Stop 3: art in the service of resilience
On Thursday 11 September, our journey stopped in Borny for a poetry performance by Mohammed, a young artist welcomed in France under the Pause evacuation programme. A vibrant evening of words, emotion and hope, which reminded us how culture and artistic expression can also be powerful tools for rebuilding and social connection.
Stop 4: the energy of youth
On Saturday 13 September, our solidarity road trip stopped on a note full of optimism and dynamism. That day, young activists committed to Palestine and human rights organised a solidarity pop-up, an event in their image: spontaneous, creative and generous.
Supported by our NGO, the initiative raised €1,213 — a great success! But beyond the amount, it was above all the energy, solidarity and creativity of these young people that left a lasting impression.
Week of 15–21 September: on the road together
Stop 5: together around the table
On Thursday 18 September, the executive met, together with members of the board. A time for frank and constructive discussion, where everyone could share their thoughts, ideas and proposals for our future work. These meetings are always important moments of cohesion: they help us stay on course while adjusting our trajectory to realities on the ground.
Stop 6: a collection full of generosity
On Friday 19 September, we headed to the Amitié Mosque in Borny for a solidarity collection. Thanks to the mobilisation of volunteers and the generosity of donors, nearly €7,000 was raised. Every gift, large or small, counts.
Week of 22–28 September: towards new horizons
After several weeks of discussions, meetings and solidarity initiatives, our autumn journey continued. Each stop reveals another side of our commitment: passing on knowledge, solidarity in motion and sharing between generations.
Stop 7: the fine careers of our former interns
On Monday 22 September, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Yannick, a former intern with the association. She is about to start an internship in Iraq with the NGO Mercy Hands. Seeing our former interns forge their own path, commit in turn in the field and carry HuSoMe’s values further is a real source of pride and encouragement for us.
Stop 8: a solidarity march, a collective surge
From Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September, our journey ended on a note full of energy and emotion with the big charity march to the Place des Frigos in Metz. More than two hundred participants set off from the Place d’Eau in Metz and walked along the Moselle to the Place des Frigos, where music, food and hot drinks, cakes and children’s games awaited them in a friendly, fraternal atmosphere.
Two paintings were auctioned, and a raffle let more than one hundred and fifty participants go home with a prize. A time of sharing, laughter and wonderful encounters.
Thanks to the collective mobilisation of volunteers, donors and partners, €14,000 was raised for the orphans of Gaza. A great success that shows, once again, that when everyone does their bit, together we can move mountains.
And this is only the beginning: other actions are already being prepared for the coming months… the adventure continues!
Week of 29 September – 15 October: from the screen to the encounter
Our solidarity road trip continued along the roads of autumn, between cinema, awareness-raising and sharing experiences. These two weeks highlighted what makes our commitment rich: dialogue, passing on knowledge and bearing witness.
Stop 9: cinema in the service of humanity
On Wednesday 1 October, we attended the screening of the film “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” in Luxembourg, in the presence of its director Sepideh Farsi. A powerful moment, where cinema became a bridge between emotion and reflection, recalling the power of storytelling to awaken consciences.
Stop 10: a festive solidarity evening
On Saturday 4 October, we headed to Nanterre town hall, near Paris, for the big evening for Gaza organised by the humanitarian medical association Aman.
Stop 11: young people ready to listen
On Monday 6 October, we went to the Lycée Saint-Exupéry in Fameck, where we met curious and attentive pupils. The day continued at the Fameck Arab film festival, where we attended the screening of the film “From Ground Zero” by Rashid Masharawi. Another highlight of this cultural and committed autumn.
Stop 12: giving a voice, again and always
On Wednesday 15 October, our journey ended in Paris with the recording of an interview with Father Jean-Baptiste. The interview will soon be available on the Padreblog YouTube channel.
Stop 13: and the road goes on… to Angoulême
Finally, this weekend our team will head to Angoulême, where it will take part in a talk on international humanitarian action.
We warmly thank all the volunteers, donors, partners and supporters for their commitment and loyalty. This autumn has been rich in encounters, initiatives and solidarity actions. Thanks to your support, we are continuing our efforts to support the most vulnerable and to keep alive the values of solidarity and humanity that bring us together.
Every gesture, large or small, makes a difference. Together, we are building a network of solidarity that saves lives and restores hope. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your trust and your generosity.
