Our Roots, Our Fruits: The True Story with THE SURVIVORS MHN 2026
- Editor
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
The organization Les Survivants is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, providing young people with a unique space to build self-confidence and overcome past traumas.
Founded around the concept of resilience, the organization primarily serves adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25, aiming to transform difficult experiences into personal strengths.
Benicha, founder of the initiative “L’Air Survivant”, explains the choice of name: “We wanted to avoid victimization. Surviving the worst and continuing to move forward is courageous, admirable. It’s about celebrating this journey and learning to love yourself while walking confidently in every area of life.” The goal is clear: to help young people overcome challenges related to self-esteem, personal development, or trauma—whether physical, psychological, or emotional—as well as more common trials such as a breakup or job loss.
To achieve this, the organization hosts conferences and workshops where learning through movement and play is emphasized. “We see young people running, jumping… but behind every action lies a lesson. Coaches, psychologists, and sometimes survivors themselves share their experiences to help everyone shift perspective and adopt a new mindset,” Benicha explains.
The association’s activities have a direct impact on participants’ family and cultural lives. Parents, often indirectly involved, notice significant changes in their relationships with their children, even through simple gestures like hugging, which may be uncommon in some Afro-descendant cultures. Young people from immigrant backgrounds can thus balance cultural identity with personal development while maintaining pride in their roots.
In February, for Black History Month, Les Survivants is hosting two major events: a career fair on February 7 and a conference-gala “Royalty: Wear Your Crown Proudly” on February 21. These events include dance workshops, entrepreneurial booths, speed mentoring, and artistic performances, all in a festive and inclusive atmosphere open to all cultures.
Benicha concludes with a powerful message: “No matter the labels or challenges we face, they make us unique. Wear your crown proudly and know that you have value.”
Interested young people can follow the association on Instagram and participate in the activities free of charge. The dedication of volunteers and the commitment to inclusivity ensure that every participant feels heard and valued.
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