We were contacted recently by one of the lovely volunteers from French Assist with what could be une opportunité fantastique* for our more advanced learners.

French Assist is a benevolent society based in Brisbane which helps distressed or isolated French people in Australia by providing moral or logistical support on an ad hoc basis.

Often people who reach out to them are faced with language barriers or a lack of local knowledge, others are lonely and long for a bit of conversation in their native language.

They used to rely on the French community alone, but they’re now looking for French-speaking people with local knowledge to help out. Could this be you?

If your interest is piqued, I’d suggest reading the account below, and if it warms your heart as it did mine, contact them to offer your services.

A truly meaningful way to put your skills to use.

Ma fille de 21 ans qui venait de terminer son contrat de travail à Sydney a subi un grave accident, elle a donc été hospitalisée pendant un mois.

Je l’ai rejointe rapidement et au préalable j’ai contacté l’ambassade de France qui m’a mise en contact avec French Assist.

Grâce à Pascale qui s’est présentée le jour même de mon arrivée à l’hôpital, j’ai pu me consacrer à ma fille puisqu’elle s’est chargée de me trouver un hébergement, elle a pu traduire également les commentaires des médecins et m’a laissé son numéro de téléphone pour toutes mes demandes et interrogations.

Ensuite Jocelyne et Christian se sont proposés de m’héberger chez eux (à titre exceptionnel), c’est ainsi que j’ai pu rentrer tous les soirs après une journée à l’hôpital dans une charmante et chaleureuse maison, parler en français et bénéficier de conseils, d’un accompagnement lors des démarches administratives et même du transport.

Plus encore ils m’ont permis de manger un bon repas, de rire et d’échanger en français, ce fut des égards et une attention considérables.

Je remercie encore Pascale, Jocelyne et Christian ainsi que Judy, Rosa et tous les bénévoles de French Assist sans lesquels cette épreuve aurait été un véritable cauchemar.

Ma fille va mieux aujourd’hui. Nous sommes rentrées en France et seront reconnaissants à vie de l’action bienveillante et hautement utile de French Assist.

Leila R.

My daughter of 21. who had just finished a work contract in Sydney, suffered a serious accident and was hospitalised for a month.

I got in touch with her straight away then contacted the French Embassy who put me in touch with French Assist.

Thanks to Pascale who was there the very first day I got to the hospital, I could devote myself to my daughter since she took charge of finding me somewhere to stay, was also able to translate what the doctors were saying and left me her phone number for all my questions and queries.

Next Jocelyne and Christian offered to have me stay at their place (they don’t normally do this), which allowed me to come back every evening after a day at the hospital to a charming and welcoming home, speak in French and benefit from their advice as well as helping me with administrative tasks and even transport.

Even more, it allowed me to eat a good meal, to laugh and chat in French, which was incredibly kind and thoughtful of them and made me feel so at home.

I am still thanking Pascale, Jocelyne and Christian as well as Judy, Rosa and all the French Assist volunteers without whom this challenge would have been a true nightmare.

My daughter is going a lot better today. We’re back in France and will be grateful for life for the highly useful and caring actions of French Assist.

Leila R.