Couple of recyclers, beneficiaries of social services in social integration

The Cruz Calderon family has been part of the social services of the public kitchens provided by the Food and Supply Department at the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration for more than 8 years.

• From January to July 2022, the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration served 518,939 people through the various social services.
• This couple has lived almost their entire life in recycling and among so many experiences they have had, one day they dreamed of being able to tell their story through YouTube channel.

Bogota, DC, September 16, 2022. For Luz Calderon and John Cruz, a couple of recyclers who are part of the social services of the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration, love is the main pillar to move forward, despite the difficulties they have faced with their two children, 13 and 11 years years.

The Cruz Calderon family has been part of the social services of the public kitchens provided by the Food and Supply Department at the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration for more than 8 years. “Social integration helped us a lot because at some point we had great difficulties, like our children who lost a lot of weight and helped us with the public kitchens,” said John Cruz.

According to data from the Beneficiary Registration System (SIRBE) of the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration PUA as of July 2022, the entity that leads the social policy of the Region served 518,939 people through the various social services. Of this figure, a total of 125,132 people received attention in food services, including community kitchens – popular kitchens, the various modalities of vouchers redeemable for food and food baskets.

“Recycling has given us many good things, including our YouTube channel. We don’t have many followers, we know it’s not easy and we’re going slowly, but that’s why love is so important in families. Without love, one does not find that strength to become, in our case, to recycle. Because it’s not easy. Without love, one does not have the same energy. This is why love is so important, but not only for a couple, but also for children, siblings, parents, grandparents, for life itself; love moves the universe,” added Jon Cruise.

This couple has lived almost their entire life in recycling and among so many experiences they have had, one day they dreamed of being able to tell their story through a YouTube channel. That is why they sought advice to achieve it, after overcoming difficult situations with their efforts and the support of some social services of the Regional Secretariat for Social Integration.

As he hugs his children, John looks up at the sky and remembers, “I spent five years on the streets for life reasons. During these five years, I met people from social integration who asked me several times if I would like to do a trial… One of those days I accepted. Praise be to God, over time I decided to do this process and today I am a recovered man.

Between June 26 and August 22, 2022, 66,424 26-day food packages were delivered per participant; They contain 40% of the energy and nutrient intake that a person needs per day to have a healthy diet. “Initially we visited the community dining room, the one that remains in Karakoli, but as a result of the situations caused by the pandemic, we started receiving the markets through the dining room as of today. Thank God we got it because we had no choice,” added Luce Calderon.

SIRBE figures also recorded a total of 14,132,643 deliveries of food rations to beneficiaries of social integration services in the period from January to July (2022). 41,613 people in public kitchens – folk kitchens – also require attention.

“We believe that love has no social status. Love is that selfless engine, when it is real, that draws strength from where one cannot even imagine. We are not rich, but look, we lack nothing. Well, the tiny house we need. But day after day we work so that we can have it in the future. Luz and I love each other, we love our children, and that’s why we tell them to study so they won’t be like us… That’s love,” Cruz concluded.