By Tony Mayes
While the principal work of the charity Help at Home Costa Blanca is, as the title says, to help people in their homes, they do much more.
And the culmination of months of work in fundraising will culminate on December 10 at a cheque presentation ceremony for Adiem. This is an association which takes care of people with mental illness – anything from depression to more serious problems.
Their aim is to help individuals to be independent, for this purpose they rent two flats in Alicante, two in Orihuela and two in Torrevieja. Last year Adiem bought a large house with five bedrooms, two of which are shared. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. There’s a communal kitchen where everyone helps prepare meals, a dining room and sitting room, a pool and garden that eventually will be a vegetable garden. They have all necessary planing permits to have an extension built with a further two bedrooms and bathrooms, so a further three people can be helped.
There are social workers on site, to make sure everything runs smoothly. The staff helps the residents to find jobs and build their self esteem.
The cost of the extension is 18,500 euros. Sylvia Sakir, who is in charge of fundraising for the charity, pledged to raise 10,000 euros towards the project.
The presentation of the cheque will be at the Emerald Isle in La Florida, on December 10 at 2pm, during a Christmas fair. This opens at 10am and continues until 4pm, with entertainment provided. The emphasis will be on Christmas fayre during the event, with stalls offering Christmas gifts and food much home prepared by the many charity volunteers. And if you want some typically Spanish items ideal for more unusual presents, then this event is the place to visit.
