People looking out for each other day to day in Spain

As the population becomes more vulnerable due to the continuing economic crisis in Spain, people are teaming up, joining together to help one another. 

They stress that it must not be considered charity. What they are doing is what all human beings should do - chipping in a couple of euros, helping out and ensuring no children go to bed hungry at night.

An organization called Adintre is working hard on the Costa del Sol. With a service and reception area in the Las Rampas shopping complex in Fuengirola and an office in Torreblanca farther down the coast, the organization is collecting clothing and food to help the needy.

If you are visiting the coast, you might find people standing at the entrance to supermarkets, with a smile on their faces, and a trolley waiting to be filled. After introducing themselves, they tell you what the most urgently needed item is for the day and hope that you will buy it together with your groceries.

Last weekend, they asked me for breakfast cereal, today it was fruit juice; it costs so little to add a few extra items, like some biscuits, chocolate milk or even some sweet treats for the children.

The president of the organization is Joyce Gyimah, who had thought for years of creating an organization to alleviate the suffering many people are going through in Spain.

With the help of Alfonso Perez Duarte (vice president), Maria Luisa Amoah (treasurer) and Alexandra de Rorthais (secretary), Joyce has now founded the Adintre Foundation (Andalucia Integra).

The group not only helps hungry children. They are also actively involved in many other aspects of life in Spain.

They offer a place for the homeless; they help young people become socially integrated and, if possible, employed. Abused women can come to the group for extensive assistance in cases of domestic violence, which always tends to be prevalent in times of economic crisis.

They also assist immigrants in the process of being integrated into society, from any country. They do their utmost to improve the quality of life of the elderly, who are also affected by the crisis, as pensions decrease.
With evictions being prevalent in the country, as people become unable to pay their mortgage, the group provides accommodation for the people, whether young or old.

As stated in their brochure and on their website, Adintre offers food, clothing, medicines, school materials and social assistance with love, respect and dignity.

If you live in Spain, please consider sparing a few euros per week to help, or if possible, volunteer to work with the organization.

Just imagine if we all did the same and helped each other out. What a wonderful world this could be.


Related:
'Pieces of Madrid'—Resistance to social crisis in Spain (Video)