I had worked at a European construction site for les Compagnons Bâtisseurs [French
volunteer construction company that helps renovate housing projects in urban areas] here in Kalliste, my housing project. We renovated the stairwells, made a pétanque [ball game] strip… It made me happy to do something for my neighborhood. After some months, they suggested that I do a training program at the AFPA [French national association for adult professional training]: I took a masonry course made up of 7 units, each week we did a different subject. After the program, when they had the means, les Compagnons offered me a contract.

Les Compagnons Bâtisseurs, I met them because they had stepped in at my aunt’s housing project: they help people who have issues with electricity, plumbing, painting, etc. et who don’t have the means to pay companies to look after their homes.