A
nationwide lockdown declared by the government of President Ivan
Duque to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus has cratered
Colombia's economy and particularly hurt its poor and
vulnerable, who must make do without their usual informal jobs.
Now, two restaurants - El Chato, run by chef Alvaro Clavijo and
winner of Colombia's best restaurant award in 2019 from Latin
America's 50 Best Restaurants, and Chicheria Demente, have
teamed up to bring nutritious meals to people renting beds by
the day in central Bogota.
"A lot of the food we take to the lodging isn't what they're
used to," Clavijo said. "We've been taking them on a discovery."
Some 48 people live in the austere building, paying about $2.70
per day for a room, or $1.35 for a bunk bed. Many are informal
workers who have seen their incomes plummet under quarantine.
Chefs from the two restaurants take turns preparing meals before
delivering them and also donate other food. The initiative has
received donations worth close to $6,000.
"We take them different things, a daily meal, eggs so they have
something else during the day, sometimes rice, sometimes water,"
said Natalia Carreno, one of the partners at Chicheria Demente.
Colombia entered the nationwide quarantine in late March. While
restrictions have begun gradually lifting in some places,
Bogota's high infection rate has meant the city continues to
observe stricter protocols.
The meals are a lifeline for residents, who did not leave the
building for the first 40 days of quarantine.
"I'm very grateful to them," said Miryam Tellez, who helps run
the house. "They have always come, they have never left us
alone."
(Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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