A mutual aid project, undertaken this year by the Huntingdon Friperie communautaire, sent two suitcases filled with clothing to women who have been victims of violence in East Africa.
This act of generosity was made possible thanks to a grant of $1000 from the Fondation Desjardins and the Haut-Saint-Laurent Caisse Desjardins. The Institution would like to highlight Frédérick Perrier’s involvement as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Friperie and Economic Development Adviser at the Haut-Saint-Laurent CLD.
“We have been very aware of the strength of Frédérick’s commitment regarding a community organization,” stated Yves Léveillé, Director General of the Caisse.
This donation was also made possible thanks to the collaboration of Suzanne Dumouchel a spokesperson from the Centre d’étude et de coopération internationale (CECI) in Montreal and a native of Huntingdon. Dumouchel acts in particular on behalf of women who have been victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. That is why the directors at the Friperie decided to donate clothing to these women in Africa.
“We were happy to do something small in support of these women who are often completely disadvantaged,” asserted Frédérick Perrier.
According to Suzanne Dumouchel, “the employees at the shelter were very surprised and happy to learn that in my home town of Huntingdon an organization like the Friperie cared about supporting women in Africa. Aside from the actual clothing, it’s the expression of solidarity that touched them the most.”
Created in 2007 as a social integration enterprise, the Friperie communautaire de Huntingdon facilitates socio-professional integration and reintegration by offering employment opportunities and workplace internships. It supports the fight against poverty by reselling clothing and household articles at low cost in premises on Rue Lorne in Huntingdon. The organization currently employs a dozen individuals.
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
