Zaragosa Home for Abandoned Elders

Gente Ayudando Gente has organized dental care and cleanings for 25 elders at the Zaragosa Home so far,  They are driven to the clinic and enjoy ice cream on the way home.

We also arranged to get them a mill to grind corn for tortillas.  This saves them getting an uber and carrying a bag of corn to another location.  Incredibly they grind approximately 40 lbs per day!!  We also engaged students who are creating art to sell and provide money for the home!

We also had several meetings at the Ministry of Design and Development about the Home.  The caretakers are overwhelmed with caring for 44 elders, Sadly Audelia passed away in February at the ripe age of 93 so now there are 43 but there is really only space for about 20.  We are now exploring options of other locations that the elders might like and putting together a plan to renovate the area with some new construction so it is a better environment for all..

We have grown to love these elders and are glad to be working in this home  to help. Thank you so much for the donations which have made a huge difference!!!

The Giuseppe Angelucci Home in Zaragoza, El Salvador, is a home for abandoned elderly people who have been left on the streets and have no family. The center has 30 beds, but the police regularly bring people in and now there are 48 residents. El Salvador does not have an assistance program for abandoned seniors.

Our Airline Ambassadors (AAI) team has been coming to Zaragosa Home monthly for the last year and we have fallen in love with the elders.  See the Christmas party. 

A Government Agency recently made a surpise visit and said that they would have to get rid of residents unless  structural chenges were made and finances provided to properly bathe the residents.

Lisselot Troconis from Gente Ayudando Gente received a generous donaton from Jeff Cardwell (People Helping People - their sister organization in the U.S).- to provide funds for a nurse to come daily to help with the bathing.

Suzy Gonzalez (Diplomatic Spouses organization) and Nancy Rivard (AAI) visited  on Jan 23, 2024 with quesadillas and cokes for all the residents to check on the status and send an update thank you to Jeff  Cardwell.

But while we were there, we learned of another problem. There had been a water leak and the water bill went from $9.00 a month up to a $731 bill!  The water company was threatening to cut off water to the Home the following day! We were planning a reception Jan 23 as a celebration for Nancy's and Elisabet Sahtouris's birthday.  Instead of birthday presents we asked for donations. Dave Rivard, (Nancy's husband) had taken pictures of the bills and sent them to the water company....and TWO amazing MIRACLES happened!

At the reception, we raised $750,00!!!  More than what was needed and the water company agreed to lower the bill!.   A HUGE THANK YOU to all the guests who included Ibrajim, Olga and Yusef Bukele from the Presidential family....and also to Elizabeth Barrett who spearheaded getting people to commit to regular donations for the Home.

Incredibly the 8th grade students from Mayan School,who have visited the elders and their teacher Lidia Valdez, were equally inspired, did their own fundraiser and raised another $300 for the Home - a total of $1,050!

And the Diplomatic Spuoses organization provided 20 reading glasses -just what the elders needed. A miracle Indeed!

We could not do this without your continued support - THANK YOU!

Links:

• Airline Ambassadors website post