A Tribute to Lost Lives
Arrels Fundació has started an emotional campaign in Barcelona to remember the homeless people who have died in the city since 2015. Through the installation of 550 cardboard plates, with names, ages and dates of death, the organization seeks to make visible an often ignored reality.
Community Collaboration
The initiative, which has the collaboration of 14 schools, two organizations and 32 citizens, highlights the importance of community participation. This year, Escola Virolai del Carmel has been one of the institutions that have contributed, with students dedicating their time to placing plaques in strategic places in the neighborhood.
Learning through Action
Yeray Sánchez, teacher of the school, has expressed his satisfaction with this experience, which offers children a unique opportunity to understand the reality of the homeless. ‘This activity is not only a tribute, but also a form of education’, he said.
The Harsh Reality of Homelessness
Since 2015, almost 10% of the 550 deaths of homeless people in Barcelona have succumbed to social indifference, with a life expectancy that does not exceed 60 years. Juan Lemus, one of the members of Arrels Fundació, has underlined the seriousness of this situation, stating that ‘living on the streets is not only difficult, but it is deadly’.
Risks and Extreme Conditions
In addition to the violence and risks they face on a daily basis, homeless people are often unable to meet their basic health needs, and live exposed to adverse climatic conditions. This campaign seeks to raise society’s awareness of the vulnerability of these individuals.
An Act of Farewell and Reflection
On October 30, the campaign will culminate with a commemorative ceremony in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, under the slogan ‘No one without a memory’. At this event, tribute will be paid to the 84 people who have lost their lives in the past year, remembering that each name behind a plaque represents a life that deserves to be remembered.
Final Reflections
Through this effort, Arrels Fundació hopes not only to remember the lives lost, but also to inspire a change in social perception towards homelessness, with the aim of ensuring that no one is forgotten.