The Newest Member of our Documentary Team

The call went out for a freelance videographer in Cali who could help us obtain some additional footage for the documentary. Today I learned that Aldemar Osorio has accepted that call. I could not be more excited!

Aldemar and his wife Zobeida met with us while we were in Cali and gave us some archive footage, taken in some of Cali's most dangerous barrios. It was the kind of footage we had dreamed of shooting but that we just could not safely do while we were there.

Now Aldemar is going back out on the streets to shoot some specific scenes to help us better tell the story of the crisis that faces Cali's elderly. We are pleased to count him as the newest member of our production team and just wanted to take a moment to introduce him to you.

Aldemar has done a lot of freelance work for US television networks, including the History Channel. He's a real pro and a welcome addition to our team. Gracias, Aldemar.

This photograph is of Aldemar, taken during our visit in March 2006. I wanted to get a shot of him, and as I was straightening him up a little bit, Mark snapped this. I thought it might be nice to share a playful moment from our time in Cali. The people there were so good to us and such gracious and accommodating hosts. That should not be lost among the telling of some of the difficult stories we'll be sharing with you over the coming weeks.
(Photo by Mark Mosrie)

Cali's Elderly

To highlight the magnitude of the crisis facing Cali's elderly, I wanted to share with you some info from Colombia's National Department of Statistics.

Cali has a population of just over 2.5 million people. Of those, 400,000 are of age 65 or older. Fully one fourth of these elderly live below Colombia's poverty level. That's 100,000 elderly people living below poverty in Cali.

Many of Cali's elderly are among the country's displaced. "Displaced" is the term for a refugee who has fled from one part of the country to another due to violence, political unrest, poverty or other hardship. The number of displaced in Cali who are over age 65 is estimated at 2000. In actuality, that number is likely much higher, as it is difficult to get the displaced to register with the government. They fear being sent back to the place from which they have fled.

100,000 elderly living below poverty.
2,000 elderly displaced.
What can we do to help?

The average cost of caring for an elderly person in Cali is US$3000/year. Upon completion, the Hogar Samaria facililty will be able to tend to the needs of many of Cali's elderly, offering live-in care at the facility for those who need round-the-clock housing and care. It will also offer a daycare program at the facility for those who only need care and attention part-time.

Search your heart and discover what you have to offer Cali's elderly. Perhaps you can give of your time and join the work group from the US to help with construction. Perhaps you can give of your talents and offer help with the documentary project. Perhaps you can give financially to the video project or to the construction project itself.

I welcome every opportunity to discuss the work being done with Cali's elderly. Feel free to contact me with questions about the project and with offers to support the project at any level.

Thanks for your interest and continued support.
(Photo by P.Richelle White)