The elderly are most at risk from the COVID-19 coronavirus, which is why we have decided to focus our assistance on this age group. At the crisis headquarters, we have been watching with concern how quickly the virus can spread in homes for the elderly. We are glad that thanks to disciplined adherence to quarantine measures, they have been spared from the massive spread of the virus. However, weeks of isolation, restricted movement and social ties with families did nothing to help the seniors' immunity.
Nutritional supplements with vitamins, minerals and trace elements CENTRUM, donated for Slovakia by the pharmaceutical company GSK, will help them strengthen their immunity. ADRA Slovakia has assumed the responsibility to distribute 15,300 packs to seniors in Slovakia. We can't help everyone (there are more than 1 million seniors in Slovakia), but we try to be useful at least where we feel the need is the greatest. That is why we have not bypassed the small facilities in remote villages and small towns where our elderly are selflessly cared for, often in very difficult conditions and without enough institutional support. In the first phase, we distributed support to 85 facilities for the elderly.
ADRA volunteers in Bratislava devoted their time to sorting and packing parcels for individual institutions during the school closure. Student Janka said: „It's a nice change at a time when schools are not working. We met a great bunch at work. We sorted and packed vitamins into gift bags, a different combination of vitamins and minerals for men and another for women. Finally, we did something that really made sense.“
Although churches are closed during the pandemic, the Adventist Church in Bratislava has provided us with a prayer room as a temporary warehouse and distribution centre for humanitarian aid. We are glad that we were able to add disinfectants and drapes to the shipment, which were sewn by volunteers from the Bratislava Volunteer Center. The distribution started on a county-by-county basis and the yellow ADRA van (provided by COVID for our COVID activities) SPP distribution), is now on the roads all over Slovakia.
Due to quarantine measures, we cannot hand vitamins directly into the hands of seniors. This is done for us personally by dedicated staff and caregivers. And the reward? One big smile that really makes it all worth it! We were also delighted to receive many personal thank you notes, thank you letters and emails from individuals, directors of retirement homes, and even county officials.
P. Milan Majerský - President of the Prešov Self-Governing Region wrote to us:
„...The current period is difficult for all of us. None of us was prepared for it and had no idea what dimensions it would take. But it has brought with it one very positive thing. It has shown that the willingness to help and protect the most vulnerable is still within us. It reminded us that health and life are the most precious things we have. And it has taught us to see the world from a different perspective and to be better and more helpful to one another.
I appreciate the fact that you have also joined the call for selfless help, showing a great deal of solidarity and belonging. And also that there are still enough good people in our society and with a human attitude and especially an open heart towards others we can overcome even the most difficult times. Thank you again...“
Friends, once again we have seen that „together we rule“.
Thank you to all the donors, sponsors and individual donors who make it possible for us to help support the immunity of seniors. You can also join us through darujme.sk
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