The experience was exceptional, and it is difficult to describe with words and images why you should live it to understand how much a trip to Colombia can touch your heart.

We arrived at the Foundation when it was almost one o'clock, time to have lunch here in Colombia. The grandparents were sitting in the chapel and were waiting for us. When we arrived we were greeted with applause!

We were all excited! They were the ones who deserved the applause, for continuing to smile at the world despite the fact that life was as difficult as it was problematic for them.

After a short prayer and official introductions, we all roll up our sleeves to prepare the portions of soup and the bandajita: rice, pasta, chorizo ​​​​and salad. All accompanied by a refreshing panela water and our smile!

It's amazing to see how a small gesture can change a person's day!

These grandparents are elderly people (abuelitos means grandparents in Spanish), poor people, who unfortunately no longer have relatives. They receive minimal monetary support from the government (around 120.000 pesos, less than 35 euros per month) with which they can barely cover the rent. Many live in dilapidated or wooden houses, where water enters when it rains. And for almost everyone, this is the only food they can afford for the entire day.

But everyone, not excluding anyone, greeted each of us, smiling, hugging and thanking us!

For them, seeing an Italian, French, Korean, Brazilian or English person was an exceptional event. And that they tell us, with pride, “Thank youuuuu”, to finally pronounce that word that is so “exotic” for them, has opened our hearts to all of us.

By Roberta Padroni

All the articles in this blog have been written by the teachers of our school and by students from different countries who traveled to Colombia to learn Spanish.
“You travel too and study Spanish in NUEVA LENGUA"

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