In this Central American country, seven out of ten elderly people live in poverty, and more than 40% have been abandoned by their families, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of Statistics (INE)

By Gabriela Méndez

The sound of a small bell, an ice cream cart, and the smile of an elderly man on the corner of the park are memories many Guatemalans carry with them. That nostalgia, which brings back childhood and simple moments of joy, has now become a symbol of solidarity: Abuelitos Heladeros, a non-profit organization that since 2020 has been standing by elderly people in vulnerable situations, restoring their dignity, care, and hope.

The foundation was born in the middle of the pandemic, when empty streets left dozens of elderly people without the chance to sell the ice creams that had been their livelihood for years. It was then that María Isabel Grajeda, the founder of the project, met Don Julio, one of the first beneficiaries, and realized that what seemed like temporary aid had to become ongoing support.

“I came here and experienced the love and care that not even my parents were able to give me. I found a family that loves me and cares about me in every way”, shares Don Julio, with tears in his eyes. His testimony of a lifetime of hard work, marked by terminal illness and abandonment in his final years, inspired the creation of this ongoing support now reaches more than 50 older adults. Thanks to him, María Isabel realized that no elderly person should face old age, the hardest years, in complete abandonment. His story was the spark that turned a one-time act of help into ongoing support for him and many others, expanding this work of generosity over time and reaching more and more elderly people.

“We never thought about creating a foundation; all we wanted was to make sure the elderly would not go hungry or be left without the medicines they urgently needed but could not afford. But as we got to know the real needs of each one, it became clear that this had to go beyond temporary aid and turn into a permanent commitment. In 2023, we officially established the foundation”, explains Grajeda.

Although the name still reflects its original meaning, Abuelitos Heladeros is much more today. They currently support around 50 older adults who make a living selling newspapers, cotton candy, lottery tickets, or traditional sweets. Many walk over 10 kilometers every day, pushing carts that can weigh up to 200 pounds (nearly 90 kg), in the sun or the rain, earning barely Q20 a day (about US$2.50).

It is important to mention that the foundation does not push or force them to work. On the contrary, its role is to make sure they have food, medicine, medical care, and companionship, no matter what kind of work they do, always within the informal economy. Keeping the name is a tribute to their origins and a reminder of the value of their effort, but the main goal is clear: to ensure a dignified old age for those who need it most, the most forgotten elderly who have to go out and work every day just to avoid starving.

A recent achievement has been the addition of a nurse who performs basic check-ups, manages medications, provides transport and accompaniment to the doctor, and offers emotional support. This comprehensive care shows that it’s not just about meeting physical needs, but also about providing closeness, listening, and companionship during a stage of life often marked by loneliness.

Don Juanito: the living memory of hard work

Among the stories that reflect the impact of Abuelitos Heladeros is that of Don Juanito, an elder who for decades roamed the city with his ice cream cart. Today, at 76, he faces Alzheimer’s, a disease that has slowly taken away his memory and recollections of those years, but not his desire to feel useful.

As his condition progressed, complicated by near-total blindness, it became too dangerous for him to work alone in the streets. On several occasions, he lost his way to work and even had to sleep on the streets. The foundation decided to take full responsibility for his care. Housing, food, medicine, and occupational therapies are now part of his daily life. During the week he receives care at a specialized center and is accompanied by the organization’s nurse. On weekends, at his own insistence, he still sells a few ice creams near his home, holding onto the dream of keeping alive the job that defined his entire life.

“What matters is not how much he manages to sell, but that he feels he hasn’t lost his purpose”, the organizers explain. Today, Don Juanito not only has a community that stands by him and reminds him that his effort is still valuable, but he can also experience something that poverty and abandonment had taken away from him: the certainty that his life still matters.

A support network that transforms lives

The foundation has been able to sustain its work thanks to the generosity of the community. Through its sponsorship program, people can contribute from Q50.00 per month via an automated payment system that ensures consistency and transparency. There is also the option to make one-time donations, tailored to each supporter’s possibilities through the foundation’s website.

Beyond financial contributions, the organization also receives in-kind donations such as groceries, nutritional supplements, and essential items. These make it possible to respond to urgent needs and cover requirements that go beyond nutrition and health. With every sponsor, donor, or partner company, the support network grows stronger, ensuring that the elderly never feel abandoned again.

A national reality that cannot be ignored

The work of Abuelitos Heladeros takes place within a complex context. In Guatemala, seven out of ten older adults live in poverty, more than 40% have been abandoned by their families, and nearly 60% face loneliness and lack of access to medication, according to INE data. Unlike other countries, where universal pensions or robust healthcare systems exist, many older adults in Guatemala continue working into advanced age just to survive. 

In response to this reality, initiatives like Abuelitos Heladeros provide a compassionate solution, showing that society can come together to care for those who need it most. One of the foundation’s main goals is to continue growing and help many more elders, given the country’s situation regarding the abandonment of older adults. “We know the work has only just begun, and thousands more elders need this support. That is why we continue to ask for people’s generosity to reach as many elders as possible”, shares Grajeda.

How can you help?

The foundation organizes various fundraising activities to sustain its work, but it relies on people’s solidarity and companies’ commitment, as real change is only possible thanks to them. Every contribution, big or small, means food, medicine, and companionship for those who need it most.

Those who would like to join or learn more about this initiative can find more information at www.abuelitosheladeros.com, on Instagram and Facebook (@abuelitosheladeros), by emailing abuelitosheladeros@gmail.com, or by calling (+502) 4674-4358.