We returned to Abuelitos  for an additional look at the kitchen. Cooking for 120 people or more, every day,  is no easy task

and the kitchen has a broken stove and a mixture of small pots and industrial pots

which make life difficult for the cook and kitchen helpers.  After discussing things with Josina, Abrazos will help with the purchase of 2 industrial pots ,a food processor as well as a new stove.

Another issue is the health of the Abuelitos and although there is a doctor coming 2x/week, many other issues remain unsolved. Mariana was pushed in the street a few months ago by what she called “an ugly thug”; she broke her wrist and hit her head and shoulder.  Her wrist is still very painful, the whole arm is weak and her balance is very poor.  She was happy to receive some help

and loves having “machines” on her wrist, was asking if she could have it on for an hour!  She must have thought me crazy to ask her to stand on one leg but eventually humoured me – because I am “very tall” and if I can stand on one leg, so can she!

A few other residents could use help, but it takes some time to identify them as they do not come to the center on a daily basis.  Hopefully, word will spread and they will tell us how we can help…or not.

INSFIDIM (Instituto Fiscal de Discapacidad Motriz) is a rehabilitation center for children with various physical and cognitive disabilities. Established in Quito in  1998 it has continued to grow thanks to  a mixture of  governmental assistance and private help. Peter volunteered here last year and also helped provide the needed chemicals to maintain the small pool for hydrotherapy; we have returned to visit and help the children and the very friendly and incredibly dedicated staff. This year, the roof was in bad need of repairs – some of the classrooms turned into marshes regularly ( daily downpours are typical for Quito).  Abrazos has supported the purchase of materials for roof and floor repairs – the work was done during 1 week of holidays in February and the finishing touches are being applied now (more to follow!). Monday is hydrotherapy session – the favorite of many children, particularly those with very severe spasticity.

The staff is welcoming and quite willing to learn new techniques, as manual physiotherapy is not well known here.  Tough to explain it all

in Spanish but…we manage somehow to communicate and accomplish something.  Lots of stretching and exercises but also splashing around in the warm bubbles, just for fun and relaxation.

Not one dry person at the end of the day!

An organization aimed at assisting elderly with or without families, in need of a place to spend time out of the house or off the street, a warm meal, some clothes and a little bit of health care. Some of these people do have a family but with little resources or interest in caring for an elderly person. Many are alone, living who knows where and how. The social assistance pay of 50 USD/month may perhaps allow you to rent a shabby room but not much else. The “grandparents” travel up to 2 hours from all corners of Quito, usually on foot, some may take the bus if it stops or if they can afford the tickets.

The centre opens around 7 am and the administrator Josina De Wit welcomes them to breakfast. There is also a lunch at 1pm. Most of the food is donated, meaning there is either too much of the same or not enough of anything. Josina was telling us she got donated numerous kilos of salt lately and is wondering what she could possibly do with it!

The bigger room hosts different activities (if there are volunteers to run them) or people are just socializing. Today they were making Valentine’s Day Cards for a surprise event tomorrow (a local musical group is coming to play) and everyone is smiling and welcoming us. Peter’s cast was examined and opinions about fractures were exchanged. Mona created quite a stir being so tall – some ladies at the centre barely reach her waist!

We promised to return and look at the most pressing needs of the organization. It is unsure if we can stay in Quito more than another 2 weeks (Peter’s fracture may require surgery) so we would like to help a little if possible.  Hopefully by next week Josina will have an idea of how we can help in the most effective way.