Mariam* was facing one of the most important moments of her life. The 30-year-old Ivorian was about to have her asylum interview at the French Office for the Protection of Refugees (Ofpra). The crucial appointment would determine her future in France since the agency is responsible for reviewing asylum applications and deciding whether to grant refugee status.

"I barely slept last night," said Mariam, eating the rice and fish dish that she had prepared at 3:00 am. Her husband, with their nine-month-old daughter in his arms, nodded in agreement. "I had too many things on my mind: not missing the train, finding Ofpra, not being late... Everything was piling up."

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'Overlooked by the system'

The Ivorian arrived in Paris that morning at 9:30 am at the Gare de Lyon train station. She was accompanied by her baby and her husband, who also had an appointment with the Office. The family has been housed in a reception center in Saint-Étienne, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, since arriving in France in 2023.

With no contacts in the Paris region, Mariam thought she would "keep to herself while waiting for her 2:00 pm appointment." While riding the RER suburban train on the way to the Ofpra located in the eastern suburbs of Paris, the mother tried looking out for parks where she could wait with her daughter and husband.

Yet upon arriving at Ofpra Monday morning, she was approached by a team of volunteers who offered her an alternative. That’s how she ended up at the Oasis office, only 500 meters away. JRS France (Jesuit Refugee Service) and the Red Cross opened the space in February 2024 to accommodate asylum seekers for the day before their crucial appointment.

"This place addresses something the system overlooked," said Sarah Lecomte, Oasis coordinator for the Red Cross. "People are left on their own the day of their appointment at Ofpra. Some have slept on the streets and haven't eaten for days. Others don't know Paris because they're housed in the regions. They're alone, even though they need to be able to tell their story to a stranger, to say things they've perhaps never said before. We try to alleviate their stress by meeting basic needs. The goal is to offer them respite so asylum seekers can rest and gain some mental space."

Most migrants at the Oasis office had stress etched on their faces when they weren’t concentrating on their phones. The available books and board games had gone unused. The asylum seekers seemed too preoccupied to seek distractions. Despite the anxiety in the air, some still decided to eat a few cookies and pour themselves a hot drink.

"We're anxious, we don't know what's going to happen during the interview," said Sekou*, a 21-year-old Guinean who had come to apply for asylum with his girlfriend. "It's hard to look back on certain periods of your life," he said. Like Sekou, most people didn't know what to expect during their meeting with an Ofpra protection officer. The Oasis therefore exists to allow them to concentrate on this essential interview, giving them a pause from constantly thinking about their survival.

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Over 4,000 people welcomed

Victor* had his own way of clearing his head. As soon as he arrived at the locale, he went to the main table, piled high with pots of paint and markers for art therapy workshops. The 35-year-old Congolese, previously a house painter in his home country, found comfort in using the rollers and the paintbrushes. "It allows me to think about something else; I'm a little stressed," he shyly said.

A Nigerian couple seated across from him were playing with their three daughters in the children's area. The two older daughters were building a pyramid with cardboard blocks, while the youngest one, only a few months old, slept in her mother's arms.

A secluded space with armchairs and blankets in the back of the locale offered a rest area with eye masks and earplugs on offer. The visitors also have the option of taking a shower or even washing their clothes. Hygiene kits, makeup, and clothing are distributed upon request.

Since opening in February 2024, the space has welcomed some 4,200 people into its facilities. The ten employees and volunteers who work shifts welcome an average of 30 asylum seekers each day. "We have a limit that must not be exceeded, meaning we cannot receive more than 20 people at a time," explains Sandra Jouandeau, coordinator of the facility for JRS.

"It's really nice here, I didn't expect to find a place like this," said Mariam. "I was very stressed before coming to Paris, but since I arrived at the Oasis, I've been telling myself: 'I'm here, now whatever happens will happen.' Stress isn't going to help me anyway."

*First names have been changed.

**The Oasis is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can register by clicking here.

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