Vicente recorre desoladas calles de Caracas en su “super bike”, una moto cargada con decenas de almuerzos que reparte gratuitamente a ancianos confinados durante la cuarentena por el nuevo coronavirus.
“¡Los esperaba con ansiedad!”, exclama Iris Rojas, de 87 años, al recibir en la puerta de su casa a Vicente Velutini, de 45, quien usando un gorro, tapabocas y guantes le entrega una bolsa con cinco comidas preparadas para ella.
Este administrador es voluntario del “Plan Buen Vecino”, nacido cuando llegó la pandemia a Venezuela para ayudar a ancianos sin hijos o que viven solos después de que sus familias migraran por una crisis socioeconómica que ha llevado a 4,9 millones de venezolanos a dejar su país desde finales de 2015, según la ONU.
“Son los vecinos los que nos dan información” de quiénes necesitan ayuda, de allí el nombre del programa para que mayores de 60 años -especialmente vulnerables- “no tengan que salir”, cuenta a la AFP su fundadora, Verónica Gómez, comediante de 37 años.
En motos, bicicletas y un carro a gas, doce voluntarios reparten 500 comidas semanales a casi mil ancianos, entre ellos Iris, una viuda sin hijos que vive en una zona de clase media.
“¡No se acerque todavía!”, pide Vicente desde la calle a esta mujer de pelo blanco.
Entonces, acomoda un banquito plegable, pone encima la bolsa y la rocía con alcohol mientras vecinos se asoman a sus balcones. “¡Ahora sí!”, continúa, separándose.
El combo, que incluye entre otras cosas sopa y asado negro -plato típico venezolano con carne preparada con melaza-, es una “alegría” para Iris, quien confiesa que “jamás” podría costearlo con sus dos pensiones, equivalentes a solo 4,65 dólares, diluidas por la inflación y la depreciación de la moneda.
“Me viene como caído del cielo”, comenta Gerónimo Pérez, español nacionalizado venezolano de 83 años que padece un cáncer de piel que le deformó la nariz y la cabeza, ocultas por una mascarilla y un sombrero que cubre sus vendajes.
“Hay abuelitos que bailan o que quieren abrazarme”, comenta Vicente entre risas. Son reacciones que le generan “mucha felicidad”, pero a la vez “mucho dolor” por las consecuencias de la crisis.
– “Vale la pena” –
Verónica, conocida como “La Vero” Gómez en el mundo de la comedia venezolana, comenzó repartiendo cachitos -panes rellenos con jamón- y pizzas en su propio carro y promocionándolo en sus redes para cautivar patrocinantes.
Pensó en “dar un menú” completo y se alió con dos cocineros voluntarios, que ahora preparan alimentos donados por restaurantes, supermercados y otras compañías.
En una cocina que comparten una pizzería y un restaurante de comida asiática, Anderson González, de 40 años, y Hillary Pérez, de 22, preparan por unas cinco horas diarias platillos variados al terminar su jornada laboral.
“El esfuerzo vale la pena”, dice Anderson, cubierto de pies a cabeza. Solo se ven sus ojos cansados entre el barbijo y una capucha.
Guardan sus creaciones en envases al vacío a la espera de los días de reparto.
Cada visita a una casa es coordinada por teléfono, pues los voluntarios deben ser cuidadosos con el consumo de gasolina, cuya escasez se disparó en Caracas durante la pandemia. Vicente ha encontrado donantes: “Un litro por aquí, un litro por acá”. – “Aunque sea un caramelo” –
“No vamos a erradicar el hambre”, se sincera Vicente en un país donde tres de cada cinco adultos mayores se acuestan sin comer, según la ONG Convite.
Pero para María Chinea la ayuda es bienvenida. “Lo que den, se agradece, aunque un caramelo sea”, afirma esta ama de casa de 74 años que convive con sus hermanos Francisco, de 67, y Cándida, de 70. Sus pensiones “no alcanzan para nada”.
María, Francisco y Cándida aparecen en una foto en la cuenta de Instagram @planbuenvecino, con 2.134 seguidores.
Verlos “es energía pura” para Véronica. Los “abuelitos” son su “gasolina”.
AFP
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
A volunteer organizes meals to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Volunteers prepare meal bags to be delivered to elderly people as part of the «Good Neighbor Plan», in Caracas on April 28, 2020, amid the lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus. – The «Good Neighbor Plan» is an initiative started amid the new coronavirus pandemic to help elderly people without children or whose children have emigrated due to the crisis that has pushed 4,9 million Venezuelans out of the country since the end of 2015, according to the UN. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
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