“WE WON’T SIT AT HOME AND CRY!"

„...It is for you to take what you need for yourself. God is watching! It is not for selling!” Aide says in a kind but firm voice, while passing the bags of food and clothes to people around her. “And don’t thank me! Thank God because He is the one giving us all this!” In the midst of clothes, books, fresh baked bread, mate cups and people coming and going, it is amazing how Aide and her friends manage to move without knocking something or someone over. It is another busy afternoon for the grandmas, charming ladies in their sixties, from the “Centro de abuelos”*, as they, with youthful energy shining through, light up the day for those who have come for the help.

Aide is watching a man from Chile checking out some
shoes that he might bring home for the winter

While hundreds of retired people in Bariloche, Argentina are spending their days in poverty, struggling to get by, there are people who have chosen not only to do something about it in their lives, but also help to those who can’t help themselves. In the grandmas’ from “Centro de abuelos” world, age is not an obstacle to help someone) actually, it’s quite the opposite – being retired gives a chance to come together, talk, share what they know and bring a change in the community.

The regular crew outside the little green house.

“Each day we give out at least 40 portions of food for the poor pensioners of the neighborhood, so that they can have at least one warm meal a day. Sometimes we give them groceries that they can bring home. A few years ago many retired people didn’t have any income, now the situation is better - the government is helping a little, also for the ones who hadn’t had a job,” says Aide, while keeping arranging food bags. She doesn’t stop moving, keeping an eye on everything that goes on in the house of grandmas. “Every once in a while we give out clothes too. Sometimes we visit people in their homes to see if they are alright. There is a lot of work to do.” She and her friends all are volunteers who come to the little green house every working day, being there for each other and those who need support.

Grandmas are not only helping the community in practical ways. Realizing that lack of fellowship and friendship sometimes hurts more than poverty, they provide a place where retired people, mostly women, can come to spend some time together, have a chat, share the latest news and do something they like. Knitting, crocheting, cooking, reading, making natural cosmetics – you name it! Together they organize workshops to learn something new and to break out of the daily routine. “Sometimes are able to sell what we have made, and then we can buy more wool or other materials to make something new!” says Susanna, the accountant of the place, who keeps a track of how the money is spent. “Sometimes we also go on excursions together – it is nice to get out of the city and see something else!”

Volunteers and visitors sharing some stories and laughter.

It is easy to feel that they really believe in what they do. With what they have and who they are, they really do bring a change in the place they live in. They keep laughing and joking while knitting; they sing songs and watch TV together, creating a community where people are not only there for each other but also for the ones from (the) outside. “We don’t want to sit at home and cry because we are old. We want to go and do something good!” says Veronika, one of the grandmas with a big smile. And they do. Every day.

* Center for grandparents