Flemish couple went to provide aid to Walloon flood victims every Sunday for almost three years: “But the money is gone”

July 14, 2021. The day is etched in the collective memory in Liège, Namur and Hainaut. Due to extremely heavy rainfall, several rivers burst their banks that day. The disaster claimed the lives of 39 people and caused destruction on a scale unprecedented in our country. For weeks, thousands of Flemish volunteers commuted to the disaster area to help, but over time the solidarity slowly ebbed away.

READ ALSO. “The Walloon government? We shouldn’t expect anything from that”: Solange and Johan are handing out fresh food to flood victims for the 80th time

Except for Solange Tastenoye (61) and Johan Hermans (59) from Zelem near Halen. For two years and ten months, the couple crossed the language border every Sunday to distribute relief supplies and food to the victims of the flood. Last Sunday they rode their last ride. “It is with a heavy heart that we are stopping, but the money has run out,” says Johan. His wife Solange confirms: “But despite the many misery we have seen, it is a beautiful chapter in our lives. We have been able to help people who have been let down by their own government and insurance companies.”

Car broken

In an emotional Facebook post, Solange thanks everyone who has contributed in recent years. “To everyone who helped, donated money or delivered goods, thank you a thousand times.”

“I never calculated the number of kilometers, but we did break down our car”

Johan Hermans

The couple from Zelem has driven to Wallonia an estimated 141 times. Good for around 23,000 kilometers. “It might be a bit more. 141 is the number of Sundays we have been, but in the beginning we sometimes drove up and down twice a day,” says Johan. “I never calculated the number of kilometers, but we did break down our car. Our trailer was usually overloaded and that left its mark. We ended up buying a small van, which was a bit more practical.”

“In the beginning we brought food, clothing, fresh fruit and vegetables, relief goods that people donated to us. We left the money we raised through a collection campaign in an account. Lately we’ve been using it to buy things that some people really needed. And we did that down to the very last cent. Now everything is gone, we gave everything we could,” says Solange.

“Solange suffered a brain haemorrhage last year. From her sickbed she wanted to arrange all kinds of orders”

Johan Hermans

Friendships

One moment illustrates the couple’s drive. “Solange suffered a brain haemorrhage last year. From her sickbed, she wanted to arrange all kinds of orders, but she could no longer even hold her smartphone herself,” says Johan. “Then we were forced to take a two-week rest, but then we started again.”

Solange: “We mainly focused on areas where almost no help was provided. Three locations on the Vesder in Trooz, Chênée and Pepinster and two locations on the Ourthe, Esneux and Comblain-au-Pont. These municipalities had a rotating role where we visited every five weeks.”

“A woman from Esneux recently told me a beautiful story. She said how our actions have brought the local community closer together.”

Solange Tastenoye

“A woman from Esneux recently told me a beautiful story. She said how our actions have brought the local community closer together. During our distribution moments, friendships were forged between local people who did not know each other before. Now that we are no longer coming, they are going to organize activities themselves to continue to meet each other.”

Catch your breath

In recent weeks the couple has had to say goodbye to hundreds of people. “Everyone is grateful for what we have done. They have nothing and yet we were showered with gifts. From homemade jam to a bouquet of flowers or a thank you card. We have also listened to dozens of harrowing stories in recent years. About people who are still waiting for money from the Disaster Fund, who have become ill due to mold in their home or who have been scammed by rogue contractors. As if the disaster wasn’t bad enough,” says Solange.

“If you now drive through the affected municipalities, you will see some improvement. But the real dramas are hidden behind the doors,” says Johan.

For almost three years, the couple sacrificed almost every Sunday to drive to Wallonia. Is the black hole now threatening? “No. Our lives have also stood still for almost three years. We still have plenty of work to do at home. And we now also have more time to do something relaxing ourselves. This weekend there is a vintage car meeting in Zelem, we will definitely go there. But we will never forget the people in Wallonia. On the contrary, we have received so many invitations to come and have a coffee at their home that it would take us a year to do so. That’s for later. Now we’re going to take a moment to catch our breath.”