Anne-Sophie Bert and William Grison, second-year engineering students at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Châlons-en-Champagne, are members of the student association GaSole (Gadzarts Solidaires), which organized a humanitarian trip to Senegal last year. It was a human experience that the two students wanted to continue after their return to France.
The GaSole association enables students to undertake humanitarian actions by setting up projects that promote equal opportunities. Thanks to its presence on several campuses, GaSole is involved in local, national, and international projects. In 2017, Sophie and William traveled with GaSole to Senegal as part of a humanitarian project in partnership with the NGO MOACOSI (Miss Oumy à cœur ouvert solidarité internationale). The goal was to build a wall around the primary school in Diamniadio. This experience was a revelation for the two engineering students: "Why not continue this solidarity initiative locally?"
It was then that Anne-Sophie and William had the opportunity to visit sick children at the American Hospital in Reims (50 km from Châlons-en-Champagne).
"Helping hospitalized children by changing their daily lives is a project that was very close to our hearts."
Since the beginning of 2018, the two engineering students, accompanied by their classmates, have been visiting children in hospital. From board games to baking workshops and singing, a variety of activities are organized during these visits. "Our goal is really to brighten up the daily lives of these children, who are sometimes suffering from serious illnesses," adds Anne-Sophie.
"We have several projects to change their daily lives."
Anne-Sophie and William have no intention of stopping there. They plan to organize a concert at the American Hospital in Reims, in partnership with Dem's (a music group made up of students from the campus). As soon as the weather improves, outdoor activities such as archery and/or dancing will be offered to the children. There will also be digital workshops to stimulate the cognitive abilities of the young patients.
