Vulnerable people celebrate Christmas at Kamiano: “Now loneliness weighs heaviest” (Antwerp)
Roof and homeless restaurant Kamiano is experiencing the results of the year during this Christmas period. “We organize Christmas parties for vulnerable people worldwide,” assured statement Jan De Volder. “In Belgium, about a thousand volunteers care for 4,000 vulnerable people. We think it’s important to be there for them on those days. Then the loneliness increases the most, also because the family spirit then lives most clearly. You can also see this in the generosity of individuals and companies. Through a gift, they experience Christmas in solidarity and concretely.”
The most famous Christmas meal that Sant’Egidio provides as a religious community is the feast on Christmas Eve in the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk. “From 7 pm we receive representatives from all activities. In total, that is more than two hundred individuals. We will deploy a hundred volunteers to assist them and enjoy the party together,” concludes De Volder.
On Sunday, the non-profit organization organizes neighborhood parties in churches where Sant’Egidio is active: in Sint-Lucas on Linkeroever, in Sint-Bartholomeus Merksem, in Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Kerkstraat and in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Geboortekerk in Hoboken. The Merksplas prison and the refugee camp on Linkeroever will also receive visitors.
Venison ragout with croquettes
In Kamiano’s restaurant they already celebrated Christmas on Saturday afternoon. There was a festive cover for groups of four who would join, together 450 people. “The restaurant must be an open place and accessible to everyone. That’s what makes Christmas so special,’ says employee Valérie Vanceulebroeck. “We sit around the table with people we support for a whole year and with whom we chat a lot. Those are different conversations than on normal weekdays.”
Chef on duty is that of every day, Tim Ferket. “By giving these vulnerable people a three-course meal, we want to restore the so disturbed food triangle,” explains Valérie. “For some we do that every day, for some only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Because Tim cooks for these people every day, he is the best judge of what they perceive as official.”
“Today they get pea soup with mint and turkey bacon,” says Tim. “This is followed by a venison ragout with winter vegetables, apple with cranberries and Kelderman croquettes. Dessert is a pear and caramel cake.” Normally three courses cost 2.50 to 3 euros per person. “Today it will be 4 to 4.50 euros. Fortunately, we also got a lot,” he says.
“And that is quite a lot”, smiles Pascale Bemelmans, responsible for the friends of the street. “In this day and age, people and companies infect each other. If one gives, the other likes to do the same. Sometimes that is immediately, sometimes after we register. We have collected 3,000 gifts. After the meal, our people receive a nice gift package, together with a hot coffee to take to the streets again.”
Horror image
For Jaimie B. (41) and his partner, that specter lurks around the corner. “In October we were told that our lease would not be renewed. We searched and searched and found nothing. We have to clear up between Christmas and New Year. We saved up the warranty money and the first rent together, but each visit ended in disappointment. Do we need to know for sure that savings are going to be spent in a hotel? It can’t be,” exclaims Jaimie, who became incapacitated after falling off a roof. His partner literally dives under the table. The shame and grief of losing her flat is too great.
Fortunately, Celino De Smet (51) and Marleen Hofman (56) have a home, albeit in the busy Luchtbalwijk. “We preferred to live in the blocks on the South, but we had to leave there for renovation. We can go back when they start renovating our flat at the Luchtbal.” Celino and Marleen come to Kamiano every week. “That’s a big help,” admits Celino. “And a Christmas meal here is more pleasant and familiar than in Carolus Borromeus.” It is clear that the couple feels good in Kamiano. “We got married here three years ago,” laughs Marleen. “It’s a bit like coming home here. What are we doing tonight? Just,” she concludes, while he whispers, “I did put something under the Christmas tree for her. I’ll do that.”