Paloma Coquant, an actress and mother to little Viggo, 16 months old, launched MAM Collecte Solidaire (mom to moms, editor's note) during the first lockdown to help families living in extreme poverty. For each drive, she partners with a mother whose values she admires, and for this 3rd edition, she is teaming up with Lucie Kakuta (@babyatoutprix) for the association Un petit Bagage d’amour.
Un petit bagage d’amour is an association that helps women experiencing poverty or refugees who find themselves homeless, supporting them in welcoming their baby with dignity. We wanted to support this association through MAM Collecte Solidaire by donating Bib’Ronds Élhée bottles for expectant mothers in need. If you also want to contribute to the association, we have shared all the information in this article.
Hello Paloma, can you tell us a bit more about yourself; who are you and who makes up your little family?
So, I’m Paloma, an actress, a mom, and I created MAM Collecte Solidaire during the first lockdown. My little boy’s name is Viggo and he is 16 months old.
How has motherhood changed you?
Absolutely everything, from myself to my circle, my work, my worldview, my priorities. My nights too :). Let’s just say motherhood has simply brought me closer to what’s most real; you always focus on the essentials with only one goal: to make the person you love most in the world happy. There’s nothing more authentic than becoming a parent; it felt like the moment I gave birth, everything in my life fell into place.
You launched MAM Collecte Solidaire during the 1st lockdown, can you explain how this project was born?
The idea came from a TV report I saw saying that the closure of schools was pushing many families into extreme poverty. I couldn’t stand the thought that one extra plate of pasta could put a family’s well-being at risk. At the same time, I was fed up with social media and told myself: since I have a small community to communicate with, I might as well use that visibility for something that will help others and bring some good around me.
The idea of Mam is to organize drives throughout the year together with an engaged mother whose values I appreciate. For the first drive, I messaged Alexandra Rosenfeld on Instagram. She immediately said yes, and from there everything took off. I put the first drive together in 10 days—I was so eager to help that I became a work monster, working tirelessly for those 10 days. It was pretty intense managing it all, but the result was totally worth it.
Can you tell us a little more about this 3rd edition?
This new edition I’m doing with Lucie Kakuta, who is a mom I absolutely love. Her Instagram account @babyatoutprix always gives wonderful advice. We’re the same age and she’s a mother of three. She’s down-to-earth, funny, and super attentive—these are things that mean a lot to me. We’ll be hosted at @Noholita’s place on Saturday, March 20 at The Hill Door – 76 rue Réaumur 75002 Paris, where we’ll be collecting hygiene products and 0/12 month-old baby clothes for the association Un Petit Bagage d’amour, which prepares bags for moms arriving at the maternity ward, often without even a bodysuit for their newborn.
Will there be more drives in the future?
I’m organizing a big drive on April 13th with a mom I love, who founded a brand that has revolutionized the lives of thousands of moms (Tajine Banane? ). I won’t say more, even though you probably already know who it is! We’re planning a special weekend because we’re partnering with Gynécée, the women’s house in Paris, 9th district. Both founders, Salomé and Camille, are making the space and their professionals available so we can offer small group workshops for moms in need, to explain breastfeeding, baby-wearing, prepare them for childbirth, etc. At the same time, a drive will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2020, at the same location.
Where can we follow MAM Collecte Solidaire to stay updated on upcoming editions?
On @mamcollectesolidaire and on my account @palomcoco
