Yin Yan, our cat, loves Abba songs and André Rieu concerts. When he hears music from his cell phone, he runs up, bites it, climbs on the table, lies down next to it, curls up and seems to want to join the music. She is absorbed.

I am amazed to see their happy reactions and wonder why the news we hear does not evoke the same reactions of deep joy and delight. In general, we are inundated with bad news. News is not the same as music, art. Our lives should be a work of art, beautiful, ours, so why do we feed almost exclusively on disasters, wars and murders? These are huge spaces of reality that we have to get to know, but they are not the whole reality.

Procrustes syndrome

I spent part of my life in human detritus, not out of a desire for manure, but precisely to find there signs that life conquers death and to try that life, which has reduced human beings to caricatures of themselves because of misery, to do drugs, to do the worst systemic injustices , they can find exits and ways in the most unfavorable circumstances. Now that I am a well-established part of the elderly to my credit, I enjoy, like Yin Yan, with admiration and wonder the social participation of communities that are not in the news, but illuminate the work of citizens.

I was invited to a workshop in Sinchal (in the richer neighboring town they used scarves, in this one they didn’t, hence the name), whose origin corresponds to the ancient Valdivian culture, along the Spondylus Route. Several things surprised me, the workshop was intended for the education of community promoters in charge of monitoring and alleviating child malnutrition. He organized a joint table that brings together all national and local public bodies and private organizations in the sector, educational centers, supported by the Charity Committee. Neighbors who participated did so without hesitation, agreed to coordinate groups, write conclusions without the prefix I don’t know or I can’t. They just flowed. It is commendable that complementary capacities are gathered for such a serious problem and that the participation of citizens is appreciated and encouraged.

Forgotten institutions

Then we headed to Manglaralto, after saying goodbye to the beautiful Olón beach, the residence of the young president, where the El Nido center for vulnerable people was inaugurated, offering a microcredit plan, a start-up food bank, a community kitchen for older adults, a work physical center and psychological therapy, free of charge and where the management of the non-governmental organization Manglaralto Giving, the Catholic Church, the autonomous parish administration and the Charitable Committee join efforts to make it work, especially with the contributions of individuals.

Good things happen in many places. If they know each other, they could become examples to those who have the same challenges. And in places where public authorities could intervene quickly, supporting the solutions that the population is starting to build, because they have taken ownership of the problems and are actively looking for solutions. And they will not allow corruption to take over their proposals and destroy them. (OR)