Volunteers 'adopt grannies' in Bolivia lockdown

The volunteers decided to help impoverished old people facing harsh times during the lockdown set by the Bolivian government to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus. The campaign, called 'adopt a grandparent', gathers a dozen volunteers who help people over 60 with whatever they need.

La Paz:Elderly citizens in poor neighbourhoods on the outskirts of La Paz are receiving surprise visits from kind strangers who call them grandparents.

The volunteers decided to help impoverished old people facing harsh times during the lockdown set by the Bolivian government in late March to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus.

The campaign, called 'adopt a grandparent', gathers a dozen volunteers who help people over 60 with whatever they need.

The volunteers usually deliver food to the senior citizens, but recently have received requests for medicine as well.

Read |Indian minor in Sharjah pleads to be reunited with mum

Some of the elderly who receive help are eligible for government aid but lack proper identification that would allow them to claim food packages.

Elderly Bolivians are among those at highest risk, prompting the volunteers to maintain hygiene and health protocols to avoid contagion and to give practical advice to the ones they visit.

As of Saturday, Bolivia had reported 3,577 COVID-19 cases and 164 related deaths.

(AP)