“Let us be grains of light that give life”. Recognized as a public utility, the association Les Blouses Roses, created by Marguerite Duras in 1945, brings joy and happiness to all ages of life.

Established in Toulouse for 52 years, the organization now has 143 volunteers mobilized around a concrete solidarity project: to be happy to make people happy: “The main concern of the Blouses Roses is to bring a smile and make people forget to the sick, whoever they are, their loneliness or their state of health” explains Michèle Emérand, president of the Les Blouses Roses committee in Toulouse. Playful, recreational and artistic workshops, volunteers work with hospitalized children and the elderly to stimulate their imagination, create a dialogue and break their isolation: “I often say that we are paid in smiles because it is a satisfaction enormous than to see a smile appear on the faces of children or elders” confides Joël Cazorla, volunteer. Faithful to its action policy, the association ensures that its members have the necessary tools to offer the most vulnerable appropriate responses: “Our paid volunteers receive eight-week training because for us, training is an essential guarantee of quality”, adds Michèle Emérand.

Forced to temporarily stop its activities due to the pandemic, the association is developing new projects, particularly with the elderly, a public very affected by the health crisis: “Many elderly people have died, not from Covid, but from loneliness. This is why our interventions are important”, confides the president. Between commitment, availability, listening and sharing, the Pink Blouses are an effective remedy against dark thoughts!