On Thursday 11 August 2016 the organisation Stëmm vun der Strooss organised two trips; one to the Grottes de Han in the Ardennes in Belgium, and the other to the attraction park Phantasialand in Germany.
Stëmm vun der Strooss has two main centres where it helps he homeless and vulnerable members of society, one of which is located in Luxembourg-Hollerich and a second which is located in Esch-sur-Alzette. Those attending the Hollerich centre departed on Thursday 11 August 2016 at 08:30 on a trip to the Grottes de Han in Belgium. A total of 67 disadvantaged people accompanied by seven social workers, three volunteers, one representative from The Luxembourg Chronicle and another from Le Jeudi. On the other trip, held at the same time, 87 disadvantaged people and eight social workers went to Phantasialand in Germany.
The director of Stëmm vun der Strooss, Alexandra Oxacelay, stated that this is less than she had hoped for. Initially, she had arranged for 200 people in total to go on the trips, instead the number turned out to be 154. "It is typically the people with drug addictions that cannot go. They might say they will, but they are unreliable. They may not be able to leave Luxembourg for an all-day excursion, as they need to be able to buy their drugs or go and get the money for it," she commented. She added that the organisers of the trips still encourage everyone to come.
Stëmm vun der Strooss is a government-funded organisation for people who are disadvantaged. People can go there during the day if they need a shower, food or shelter. The centres are busiest from 11:30 to 15:00, according to Alexandra Oxacelay. However they are currently only authorised to let in 180 people, so she hopes to be able to expand in the following years. The organisation is funded by the Ministry of Health. Alexandra is now awaiting the answer to her request to be able to expand the location in Luxembourg-Hollerich.
Stëmm vun der Strooss also provides work for people who are in need. This is provided that they have an address and a bank account as this makes them eligible for RMG in Luxembourg. If they do not have a roof over their heads, they need to get in contact with a shelter in order to be eligible for the RMG. However, it is not desirable for people to go to the shelters as "there are often fights and violence" explained Alexandra.
The day excursions are organised annually, and the destinations depend on how much money the organisation managed to raise from donations. This year, it managed to raise €9,000. Last year, they managed to raise enough money to go to Paris.
Stëmm vun der Strooss organises several small trips throughout the year. Once a month, they go to the cinema and the Philharmonie with a small group of approximately 20 people. For the people working for the organisation, an annual dinner is arranged at Brasserie Alpha. Alexandra further explained that every two years, a hairdresser is kind enough to give manicures, haircuts and massages to those attendung the Stëmm vun der Strooss centres. The biggest event of the year is the annual Christmas party which this year will take place on 22 December 2016 at the Centre Culturel in Bonnevoie.
Alexandra Oxacelay stressed the importance of these excursions. "They act differently on these trips. They put an effort to look nice and behave better. There is sometimes violence at the locations of Stëmm in Esch and Hollerich. Today there wasn't any, because our visitors are happy to get out. They need to feel like they aren't cut off, but that they are also part of society," she explained.
On arrival at Han, people were divided into two groups: one that could explore the caves and its 500 steps, with the other going to explore the nature park and its many wild animals.
On the excursion, there were people with all kinds of different stories, backgrounds and of different ages who were kind enough to share them. Fathers who work at Stëmm have brought their families along, as they wouldn't otherwise have been able to go on this trip. There are elderly who cannot afford to take care of themselves. There are people with physical disabilities, mental issues, political refugees, people with drug addictions or who are dealing with alcoholism. A refugee made his way from Africa to Portugal and then to Luxembourg, where he was without a roof for three days. It is individuals like him who are especially appreciative of these excursions.
Without the generous donations people give they would not be able to go on these excursions.
Photos by Josefine Andersen
