There had never .been so much coming and going at Concepción’s humble home in Calle Amargura in Malaga. It is a third floor flat in a block without a lift and Concepción hasn’t been out for a year because she suffers from osteo-arthritis. At the age of 72 she is one of many old people who live alone in or near the centre of Malaga in a building in poor condition. But to bring a bit of colour into the lives of these elderly citizens, a group of 30 young university students belonging to the association Alazores, part of the NGO Cooperación Internacional (international cooperation), embarked on a campaign called “Brocha solidaria” (solidary paintbrush), painting the inside of 16 flats that needed redecorating.
Trinidad and Capuchinos
Under the initiative the first volunteers started work on two homes in the Trinidad and Capuchinos districts of Malaga and Concepción’s flat, in La Victoria district, where she attended kindly to all the journalists brought in by the City Hall.
“I can’t move so you can do what you like with me”, said the old lady.
Tears flooded her eyes easily when she remembered that she is alone because of the death of both her husband and her daughters.
But this loneliness was interrupted when six young people encased in white overalls started to paint one of the rooms in Concepción’s flat. Francisco Torres and Rafael Dawid, first year Psychology and Architecture students respectively, took part in this experience for the first time.
“It is very worthwhile coming to help people with very little in the way of economic means”, said Francisco. “We always have free time in the summer months”, added Rafael, “which we often don’t make the most of. It’s a good idea to bring a little cheer into the lives of people who are alone.”
The young students were joined by the councillor for the centre of the city, Rosa Agüera, who had no hesitation in putting on overalls and setting to work with a paint roller. With the hurly burly of cameras, cans of paint and brushes, her face and hands were soon splashed with white paint, but she didn’t mind. “We’ll be here all morning because this is a very nice job, doing something for other people, helping them not to feel so alone for a few days and giving them a better home”, she said.
Journalists and volunteers crammed into a few square metres in Concepción’s flat. “If I had to feed so many people....” said the old lady, who will shortly be cared for by the City Hall home help service. She currently only has help from her grandchildren and two nuns, who visit her frequently.
The senior citizens and their relations who benefitted from the campaign were selected by the staff at the Social Services Department at Malaga City Hall as they are the ones who are aware of the situation that each one of them is in.
The volunteers brought colour and company to these elderly folk, with the specialised advice of the companies Pinsur, Pinturas Andalucía and Avis.
Campaign
Name: ‘Brocha solidaria’ (solidary paintbrush)
Organizers: The council department for the centre of the city and the university association Alazores
Volunteers: 30 young students aged 17 to 19
Homes: 16 selected by the Social Services Department
Time period: From the end of June to July 10th
Companies collaborating: Pinturas Andalucía, Pinsur and Avis
Courtesy of Sur in English
www.surinenglish.com
