Our dear René, he is unrecognizable, exclaimed everyone who knew him when they saw his current photo. This 63-year-old street inhabitant, who, despite his blindness and ailments used to walk daily, the streets of the Belén neighborhood in the center of the city, to arrive without fail, to take his food in the Maria es mi Madre dining room of the Fundación Proyecto Unión. He accepted the proposal, which for more than 4 years made to him by Carlos Enrique Tobón, director of the social foundation “Open to Jesus Christ” so that your life would turn 180 degrees.
Thanks to the perseverance and generosity of Carlos Tobón, a human being who always had the vocation to help others, who studied at the Seminary and who, after retiring 21 years ago, married and decided to create his foundation to care for the most needy elderly people like René. He knew the abandonment he suffered from by his family, the lack of love, of affection, but above all the loneliness. He suggested to him on many occasions that he let himself be helped, until finally, René agreed to give himself that opportunity, which began with a general bath, a haircut, a shave and new clothes, thus achieving a radical change in his physical appearance.
The second part was to introduce him to his new home based in Fusagasugá, where he cares for 22 grandparents, 12 of them without their family support network, there he receives food, shares a room with a new friend, dances, has a swimming pool and enjoys his walks in a pleasant climate, breathing a warmer and more family atmosphere. Little by little he has been adjusting to her new home, he likes the good treatment and the good food he receives, but he misses her friends in the old neighborhood to whom he sends his greetings “A greeting to all the people of the neighborhood, especially “doña Aida, the coordinator of the dining room, Toño, Oscar and Mrs. Maria from the bakery of the fourth.”
We highlight the high level of commitment and the important mission of changing lives that Carlos has been carrying out with 22 elderly people in Bogotá, plus 23 in Fusagasugá, his mission is to care for those who have nothing and nobody. We hope to continue strengthening this great partnership that has made it possible for the beneficiaries of “Open to Jesus Christ” to receive medical care, glasses, donations, markets, etc. , because we share the desire to serve and give hope to the elderly in a vulnerable condition.
