For the past year, Lurdes and her eight children have been living at Montaigne school, located in Lyon's sixth arrondissement. Since their arrival last year, they have experienced the growing despair caused by inadequate assistance from local authorities and the slow response of the collective Jamais Sans Toit. The looming threat of returning to life on the streets hangs heavily over them.
Lurdes, originally from Angola, once pursued her dream of becoming a singer but was forced to leave her home country due to political turmoil. After relocating to Brazil, she hoped to raise her family away from conflict, but her joy was short-lived. Given the challenges presented by her eldest son, she decided to move to France, arriving in Strasbourg in 2021.
Upon her arrival, Lurdes applied for asylum. Unfortunately, her request was denied on February 5, 2021, leading to numerous bureaucratic hurdles. On July 31 of the same year, Lurdes and her children found themselves without shelter and resorted to living on the streets for over three months, facing the harsh reality of hunger, fear, and lack of hygiene.
Eventually, temporary accommodation was provided at a local church, but this arrangement was not meant to last. Eager to find stability and more opportunities, Lurdes made her way to Lyon, reaching the Part-Dieu train station and restlessly reapplying for support. "Quand je suis sortie de la gare, j’ai tout de suite refait les demandes," she recalls, highlighting her determination to secure assistance for her family.
Despite her efforts, when Lurdes filed for residency with the Rhône prefecture, she received no receipt—legally required documentation during the application process. To this day, the state remains silent, ignoring countless emails and letters sent by the Jamais Sans Toit collective.
Ignorant of the legal obligations surrounding children’s education during their time without proper housing, Lurdes enrolled her kids at school nonetheless. "On dormait dehors, on ne mangeait pas, on ne se lavait pas, mais mes enfants étaient à l’école. C’est très important," she asserts. The children have excelled academically, one of her sons ranking fifth out of his class. Despite their circumstances, the children’s resilience shines through, with Lurdes emphasizing the importance of education.
Recently, several Montaigne school teachers and Jamais Sans Toit members offered the family shelter within the school’s premises. March 2024 marked one year since this arrangement began, yet the urgency for long-term solutions is palpable. A security commission conducted by the Rhône prefecture on February 17, 2025, resulted in unfavorable opinions toward maintaining the school’s operational status, citing safety regulations. The commission insisted the family vacate by February 21, 2025, coinciding with the start of the school holiday.
Faced with these demands, Jamais Sans Toit decided to relocate Lurdes and her family to the elementary school building after the safety briefing on February 20. Local government officials tolerate this arrangement, yet uncertainties haunt the collective's members. Virginie, part of Jamais Sans Toit, questions, "La question que l’on se pose aujourd’hui, c’est de savoir si l’on est les seuls à avoir eu une commission de sécurité, parce que l’on n’est pas la seule école à être occupée." The shared responsibilities of managing safety, especially outside of school hours, adds layers to their predicament; this responsibility resides with both the school administration and the municipality.
To navigate this complex situation, the collective has requested the municipality to transfer responsibility to them during evenings and weekends, as they grapple with the dire financial strain of their work. Virginie adds, "On ne voit pas clair dans cette situation, on se retrouve sans aucun soutien et financièrement, ça devient intenable pour nous." The fabric of their support system is unraveling, making daily survival increasingly burdensome.
With time running out, Lurdes expresses the psychological weariness stemming from her fight for stability. "Les enfants sont inscrits à la garderie dès 5h30 et ensuite, moi, je vais à la Part-Dieu. Je marche toute la journée et quand je suis très fatiguée, je peux aller à la bibliothèque," she shares, illustrating the relentless nature of her struggle. Unfortunately, resources are scarce, and food is often just bread, insufficient for their nutritional needs.
Emotions swell as Lurdes articulates her fears and frustration: "La préfecture n’est pas dans les clous et la Ville de Lyon se repose beaucoup sur les écoles." The sobering reality is evident to those around her, with mattresses laid out haphazardly and sporadic access to hot water complicate their already challenging situation. Action is desperately needed, as Lurdes pleads for governmental engagement. "Mes enfants dorment par terre!" she asserts, showcasing her deep-seated anger at the lack of comprehensive assistance.
Both Lurdes and Jamais Sans Toit recognize the unsustainable nature of their current living conditions, with Virginie concluding, "Seule une réponse de la préfecture pourrait nous éclairer un peu plus, mais là encore, c’est un grand silence." The silence from governmental bodies only deepens their struggle, leaving this family and their advocates uncertain of the future.