Katrina, a young volunteer from Ecuador volunteered to help the women of Creciendo Juntas use the internet and technology to keep in touch. “I was helping them, but it also helped me“ she says. “I came here at the age of 15 alone with only my sister. I have no parents or grandparents here, so it helped me to feel part of a family.”
“‘I was scared of everything, I had an incredible fear of watching the news, the manipulation of politicians I don’t trust, of medical treatment I don’t have confidence in.” says Bianca Ives, 69, from Colombia. “For me the group has been like vitamin injection to live. We would talk to each other every day…it kept us going. I think without having the other women to talk to, I wouldn’t have survived.”
“I had a history of mental health issues and back in October I lost my adorable labrador, but it was the isolation triggered my illness again,” Said Nelsy Cristancho, 70. “Even when I couldn’t participate in the group because I felt overwhelmed, Mercedes was always still in close touch with me, looking out for me.
“It was so helpful for me to be able to express myself in my own language,” says Mirta, 72. “I learned about the importance of solidarity, taking advantage of every moment you have, to appreciate life more, to make everyday the best it can be, as if it were the last one.”
Watch their story in full as part of Fuerza London - a free online concert and documentary of film, dance, poetry and music to share and recognise our suffering, loss, resilience…and our contribution to the COVID response.
AVAILABLE ON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHYC6xkWMDo&t=727s
