Hogar Giuseppe Angelucci in Zaragosa, El Salvador is a home for abandoned older people, or those who have been left on the streets and and have no family.
The Asocaicion de Conyuges de Diplomaticos in El Salvador- ACDE ( Association of Diplomatic Spouses) has adopted this project for support, and Suzy Gonzalez, (past President) gave Nancy Rivard and Alejandro Fernandez (President and AAI Board of Advisors) a tour of the facilty on March 2nd along with the wife of the Palestinian Ambassador and others. Suzy filled the car with food donations and sweet “quesadillas” (like a sweet cheese pound cake) that were a real hit with all the residents!
She explained that she was commited to help this project. (The building had been donated and officially they have 30 beds….however the police drop off abandoned elders regularly and now there are 45 people living there!
When we drove up I could barely believe my eyes….it looked like just an abandoned building behind an iron fence.
And inside that fence the experience was so moving – as we walked around, greeting residents and distributing delicious quesadillas to grateful recipients we couldn’t believe our eyes. The people were lovely, and they had a cook come in to make food for them but clearly need assistance. Recently the Association of Diplomatic Spouses ahd donated 5 wheelchairs, but more are needed. A doctor visits once every two weeks to check on residents. Bathrooms were open and needed curtains and dozens of dilapidated couches lined the walls. the place needed a good cleaning and someone needs to be in charge. I was particulary moved when I I saw a young man pick up an emaciated chicken as if it was his pet. “No human being should be forced to live like this!” said Alejandro, and volunteered to coordinate an AAI team to powerwash, paint and clean up the facility. Stay tuned for more and please join us on a mission to help Hogar Giuseppe Angelcci in El Salvador!
