MaMaMa helps single mothers in the IDF, but for how long?

To survive, the most precarious often only have the help of associations. Created in 2020, the MaMaMa association distributes basic food and hygiene packages to single mothers specifically intended for children under three years of age. While inflation weakens the balance of already precarious families, these donations have enabled 70,000 mothers to meet the needs of their babies. The MaMaMa, however, sees its future compromised as the Municipality wants to recover the premises that have been assigned to it free of charge, and will stop at nothing to make the association desist.

An association for single mothers and their children

Since 2020, the MaMaMa association has been helping single mothers of children in Seine-Saint-Denis and elsewhere. Specialized in welcoming children, MaMaMa distributes basic necessities for children under three years of age.

” The needs of newborns are very specific up to this age and place a heavy financial burden on mothers explains to Magali magazine, one of the three founders of the association Chat.

Since its creation, the association has raised more than 5 million euros of basic food and hygiene products, and has already helped more than 70,000 families. Thanks to the association’s 1,500 volunteers, more than 1,000 parcels are distributed every week. To pay its nine employees and manage the operational and logistical side, MaMaMa also receives donations from the Fondation des femmes, the Fondation de France and private supporters.

The association violently threatened to evict the municipality

Isolated and precarious parents can often only count on the help of associations to meet the needs of their children. However, MaMaMa’s future is threatened. In 2020 the municipality made a warehouse available to the nascent association.

Then sign a free and renewable temporary employment contract. In July 2021, MaMaMa is still asked to leave the premises a occupation without right or title. The association offers to pay the rent, but discovers in December 2021 that the amount of this rent will be 18,000 euros per month. The association does not have the means to pay this outrageous sum and is fighting to undo this unjust decision.

His refusal to obey and his fight on behalf of isolated families are currently the subject of a campaign of intimidation. Volunteers are victims of threats from private individuals declaring themselves close to the mayor. Equipment is routinely stolen or degraded, affecting the smooth running of logistics for various missions.

The association filed a complaint against Mayor Mathieu Hanotin and his deputy Shems El Khalfaoui for non-disclosure of crimes and offences, passive corruption and trading of influence. The expulsion of the association will be pleaded in the tribunal de grande instance of Bobigny on January 13th.

All those affected by this lawsuit are urged to gather before the court to express their support and sign the online petition.

Photo credit image of one: Pixelshot