Christmas Eve. For many, it means gathering with family, sharing a good meal and unwrapping presents. But this is not the case for everyone. Poverty in the Grand Duchy is increasing, along with the number of people who lack stable housing or the financial means to eat regularly.
In the run-up to the festive season, Marlène Clement from RTL Radio visited Stëmm vun der Strooss in Hollerich, speaking with staff and beneficiaries.
At 11.30am, the social restaurant in Hollerich opens its doors. Yet shortly after 11am, a long queue has already formed outside the entrance, made up mainly of men.
“I’m 28 years old and I come here to Stëmm to eat because it helps me and gives me support to get through the day. Eating, taking a shower, a bit of social contact, talking about your problems. I was doing well, I have two children, you see. But life changes. Still, we keep hope.”
Among the beneficiaries is also a 65-year-old woman who has been eating at Stëmm for ten years.
While she does have a roof over her head, little money remains for food.
“At first, I didn’t know Stëmm existed. I once went to Eltrona for my television and then saw that there was a social bistro here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known.”
Over the past decade, she says, much has changed. Today, far more people come than a few years ago. This observation is shared by the director of Stëmm vun der Strooss, Alexandra Oxacelay.
“We notice that many more people are coming, many new faces, with a lot of coming and going. The structures are no longer able to keep up with people’s needs.”
Last year, Stëmm vun der Strooss distributed 243,000 meals across its three social restaurants in Hollerich, Esch-sur-Alzette, and Ettelbruck, an increase of 23 percent compared with the previous year.
Alexandra Oxacelay fears the numbers will not fall. December is, moreover, a crucial month for the association, as donations increase significantly during this period.
The rest of the year, however, does not see the same level of support, says Anna Albuquerque, who has been working at Stëmm vun der Strooss for just over a year.
“For me, honestly, Christmas has become commercial. It’s good that acts of solidarity increase at Christmas, but this should happen every month of the year, not just in December.”
Stëmm vun der Strooss remains closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, the traditional Noël de la rue, organised by the Red Cross, takes place on Christmas Day in Bonnevoie.
