The newsletter Contigo of this month of July is especial; It´s called “Stories with heart”. You will find testimonies of the Covid-19. We hope that you ejoy it!
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world in unimaginable ways. It has affected our lives, not only due to the health risks, but also by altering how we interact and coexist. We have all been affected and we all have a story to tell.
The Sisters Hospitallers Puntiti Therapeutic Centre in Bolivia treats 60 totally dependent children of different ages, who are cared for by a multidisciplinary team. After the first positive case of COVID-19 was detected in Bolivia, a strict quarantine with restrictions and prohibitions was imposed as part of the government’s containment measures.
The situation complicated direct and indirect care for the entire staff working at the centre: from the challenges of commuting, to the risk of being a carrier and introducing the virus to the centre, possibly infecting the high-risk children or another co-worker.
Under these conditions, collaborators were asked to assume two-day shifts, and in some cases seven-day shifts of continuous care, which caused tremendous uncertainty for our families.
Juana, an elderly carer who has worked at the centre for more than 20 years, showering the children with her love and patience, explains, “The shift change was necessary to avoid becoming infected and infecting the children, but when I stay at the centre for several days, I worry about my family, my children and grandchildren. It’s a difficult situation, but with the support of my family, I was able to stay and care for the children, who are part of my life. I’ve watched them grow up; they’re like my own children.”
Another carer, Edith, who is pregnant, says, “With the change in shifts and the way of working, the days are more exhausting. Also, I worry about my three children at home alone with their dad. Because I’m pregnant, I often need the help of my colleagues, but despite the difficulties, I am happy to continue coming to work. It’s my second home and the children are like my own.”
These testimonials are clear examples of hospitality. Though the hours grow longer and our strength weakens, the affection and love we feel for the little ones make our efforts worthwhile.
In addition, the various departments—medicine, speech therapy, dentistry, psychology, physiotherapy, and administration—complement each other with a single goal: to improve the quality of life and/or independence of our residents in all respects.
