Good deed: Paloma Coquant's Solidarity Collection

Paloma Coquant, actress and mother of 16-month-old Viggo, launched MAM Collecte Solidaire (Mothers to Mothers) during the 1st confinement to help families living in extreme poverty. For each fund-raising campaign, she teams up with a mom whose values she shares, and for this 3rd edition she is working alongside Lucie Kakuta (@babyatoutprix) for the association Un petit Bagage d'amour.

Un petit bagage d'amour is an association that comes to the aid of women in precarious circumstances or refugees who find themselves on the streets, helping them to welcome their babies with dignity. We wanted to support this association through MAM collecte Solidaire by offering BibRonds Elhée for mothers-to-be in need. If you too would like to make a gesture for the association, we've shared all the info in the article.

Hello Paloma, can you tell us a little more about yourself, who you are and who makes up your little family?

So I'm Paloma, actress, mother and I created Mam collecte solidaire during the first confinement. My little boy's name is Viggo and he's 16 months old.

What has motherhood changed for you?

Absolutely everything, from myself to the people around me, my work, the way I see the world, my priorities. My nights too :). Let's just say that motherhood has simply brought me closer to what's most real, always going to the essential with a single goal: to please the person you love most in the world. There's nothing more authentic than becoming a parent, and I felt like the minute I gave birth, everything in my life aligned.

You launched MAM collecte solidaire during the 1st confinement. Can you tell us how this project came about?

The idea came from a report I saw on television which said that the fact that schools were closed put many families in an extremely precarious situation. I couldn't stand the idea that an extra plate of coquillettes could jeopardize the smooth running of a family. At the same time, I was fed up with social networking and I said to myself: if I'm going to have a small community and share with it, I might as well use this visibility to do something that will help others, and do some good around me.

Mam's idea is to make collections throughout the year accompanied by a committed mom whose values I like. For the first fundraiser, I wrote to Alexandra Rosenfeld on Instagram. She said yes straight away, and from there it was a case of one thing leading to another. I had such a strong desire to help others that I turned into a workaholic, and I worked tirelessly for those 10 days. It was a lot to handle, but the result was worth it.

Can you tell us a little more about this 3rd edition?

Thisnew edition I'm doing it alongside Lucie Kakuta, who is a mom I adore. Her Instagram account @babyatoutprix always gives great advice, we're the same age and she's mom to 3 kids. She's simple, funny and a great listener, which are things that really touch me. We're going to be hosted at @Noholita on Saturday March 20 at The Hill Door - 76 rue Réaumur 75002 Paris, and we'll be collecting hygiene products and 0/12-month clothing for the association Un Petit Bagage d'amoura charity that packs bags for mothers arriving at the maternity hospital, often without even a bodysuit for their newborn baby.

Will there be other collections in the future?

I'm doing a big fundraiser on April 13 with a mom I adore, who created a brand that has revolutionized the lives of thousands of moms ( Tajine Banane ? ). I'll say no more, even if you already know who she is! We're going to make this weekend a little bit special because we're joining forces with Gynécée the Maison de la Femme in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The two creators, Salomé and Camille, are offering us the use of their premises and their professionals, so that we can offer workshops in small groups to mothers in need, to explain breastfeeding, babywearing, preparing for childbirth and so on. In parallel, a fund-raising event will take place on Sunday April 13, 2020 at the same venue.