Their cycling challenge takes place in the middle of the Tour de France… and it is pure luck.
“Honestly, we didn't think about it,” smiles Wissam, one of the educators at the Therapeutic, Educational and Pedagogical Institute (ITEP) Le Petit Prince in Villetaneuse (Seine-Saint-Denis).
Since Monday, a delegation of six young people accompanied by five educators rolls towards Deauville (Calvados).
A sporting challenge for teenagers, but not only.
"This is the first time that this type of project has been set up," explains Candice Solente, director of ITEP.
Our educators wanted to invent a challenge that allows these young people to surpass themselves for a good cause.
"
A unique experience
Open since 2014, the ITEP Le Petit Prince, managed by the SOS Jeunesse Group, welcomes young people (6 to 20 years old), who suffer from behavioral and conduct disorders that hinder their socialization.
“These disorders are considered a handicap,” explains Candice Solente.
These young people have great difficulty in attending school in a traditional setting.
They have difficult life journeys in early childhood.
Here, we help them overcome this handicap so that they can find themselves in an ordinary environment.
"
At the origin of this initiative, Wissam and Brasilé, two educators from ITEP.
“We imagined this project which wanted to be both a personal challenge, but also a collective one.
Young people are not going to ride just for them.
Each kilometer traveled, they will raise funds for two associations ”: Rêvons Ultras Grand and the Fontenay Diversité collective.
The delegation left on Monday with a first stage of 70 km.
“For these young people, we wanted the challenge to be achievable and completely safe,” explains Wissam.
Initially, we had imagined following the course of the Seine.
But it was far too long.
So we opted for the shortest path, 210 km, which we divided into three stages of 70 km.
"
"Leaving together, arriving together"
The young people will be divided into four groups and they will take turns to Deauville.
“It's a bit of the unknown,” explains Wissam.
We did several 10 km rides to see how they reacted to these efforts.
The big question is how they will manage to cope with fatigue and repetition of efforts.
The goal is to leave together and arrive together.
"
Obviously for this project to be viable, it took everyone's support, especially parents.
“They asked us a lot of questions,” acknowledges Christelle, one of the educators at ITEP.
They understood the charitable project and they supported us in this process.
It can give a new impetus in the life course.
"
Among these young people (the first names have been changed), Michaël (12 years old), Corentin (14 years old) or even Kevin (12 and a half years old) are eager to get on their bicycles in the direction of Deauville.
“I think I'm strong enough,” says Michaël, “because I did 10 km in an hour.
I know it will.
"
Present at the institute for a year, Michaël realizes how far he has come: “I had difficulties in reading and writing.
It is much better.
This project comes at the right time for me.
Because I want to lose weight… ”For Kevin, discovering Deauville will not be a first.
“I've been there three times, but it was in progress.
It will be the first time on a bicycle… ”
