Luxembourg Volunteer Marks Three Years of Humanitarian Support Through Boutique

In September 2025, Desiree’s Humanitarian Boutique at the Kulturzentrum in Erpeldange will mark three years of supporting refugees from Ukraine welcomed by Luxembourg, as well as others in need, by distributing donated second-hand clothing, footwear and household items, among other essentials.

Now in her fourth year of humanitarian work, 69-year-old Desire Hawkins has continued her efforts even after overcoming a serious illness. The former air hostess, who moved to Luxembourg 35 years ago, recently shared her story with Chronicle.lu.

Before opening the boutique, Desiree drew on her own life experiences to shape her approach to helping others. Reflecting on her upbringing, she shared: “I think when you come from a difficult past… I come from South Africa. We were poor people. There was nobody there who would do what I’m doing now, but I had second-hand clothing from cousins - so I know what it’s like when you don’t have,” she said. “That’s why we are able to give with a good heart. But we also don’t want to feel abused in any way.”

At the start of the war in Ukraine, Desiree volunteered at a support centre that had been set up in Contern. However, the facility closed after just a few months, prompting her to open her own humanitarian boutique to continue helping those in need. “I had another place a little further down the road which was really small - no light, no heating, very little space. It was horrible,” she recalled. “But after three months, in September 2022, the commune gave me this place. I’m very, very grateful to the mayor of Contern. He told me I could have one part of the space, and as I received more and more donations, I gradually took over the other part as well. They never said anything, so I didn’t either. It works for us, and we’re happy.”

The Humanitarian Boutique, open every Tuesday and Thursday from 09:00 to 13:00, is supported by a small team of regular volunteers who contribute both their time and financial assistance. Desiree has been working with Ingrid for nearly three years, having first met her during her time volunteering in Contern, while Marion [Bosman], a long-time neighbour from Sandweiler, has known Desiree for about 30 years. The team also includes Lena, a Ukrainian volunteer who assists when she is not working at her full-time job.

Desiree noted that any items left unclaimed for about a month are repacked and donated elsewhere: “We are supporting people who send things to the Cape Verde islands for children, including orphanages. We also send to Lagos in Africa - we know it’s not easy there.” Locally, the boutique supports Stëmm vun der Strooss, a Luxembourg-based organisation helping the homeless. “I don’t want to throw anything away - I want to give it another home,” she added. “We only offer things we would use ourselves. It’s about treating people with dignity.”

Additional support includes regular shipments of hygiene items to hospitals in Ukraine, coordinated through Ukrainian volunteer Natalia Rada Demchuk. One local resident contributes €100 weekly to help cover the cost of toiletries for Ukrainian clients. “I have a client who’s become a friend - a Luxembourgish lady who lives just across the road,” she explained. “She comes once a week and takes items for her Portuguese cleaning lady, who has four children.” Desiree acknowledged that some people have criticised the woman for collecting items, but clarified: “They don’t know she’s supporting me. I can’t afford to spend €150 weekly on toiletries.”

Desiree Hawkins did not pause the work of her Humanitarian Boutique even while facing a serious illness. “About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she told Chronicle.lu. “I went through chemotherapy and radiation, lost all my hair and 14 kilos in weight. I was very, very ill.” Despite the physical and emotional toll, she continued her volunteer work throughout treatment. “Coming here helped – you stop thinking about your own problem and focus on someone else’s.”

Since July 2024, Desiree has been cancer-free. “I believe staying positive helps. You need to focus on something good - on making a difference. Like seeing someone walk out of the boutique with a few bags and a smile.”

She emphasised the importance of community support and solidarity: “Without the donations, I can close the door. I rely on people to come with their donations so that I can help further. This is their way of helping me to help someone else.” Reflecting on the generosity she has seen over time, she added: “Luxembourgish people don’t usually open the door easily to anybody... but they see what is going on. They want to help a little bit.”

For Desiree, this spirit of giving is essential: “To make someone else happy in life, even if you are not happy yourself, makes you feel good about yourself.”

UPDATED to correct the helper’s name.