Unsung heroes fighting for their lives

Although he has been offered to take a nursing home, he prefers his solitary life.

"I am completely healthy as a worm (smiles), but four times I dreamed that I pull into the ravine. One of these days I'm not going to see sunlight, "says Philip Divas Escobar, who at 95 years continues to work as a polisher at the Plaza Colon, where he arrived when he was 44 years.

His hands have many calluses, wrinkled and black realize their work. With a green hat that he painted, decorated with Christmas cottages, small empty containers of yogurt and a few shoe ribbons tied around Don Lipe, as they call their acquaintances, says that of 14 children only he continues to fight for his life . His brown face, like its little black eyes, he looks tired. Sitting in a chair, with a peculiar smile at his side and three boats with newspapers and polishing box, note that to survive daily fifteen years ago. Cobra when Q2.50 and Q3.50 if black shoes are brown or another color.

The routine of the old polish is different from anyone else. At two in the goes out tomorrow from home, an old warehouse in the park. His first food is a cup of coffee. At that time begins to prepare its case and its wagon parked next to a bench.

In the course of the day waiting for its customers four when he does well.

At 7:00 pm Breakfast and lunch at 12:00. When it's three in the afternoon will return home to sleep and it will not leave until the next morning, at 2:00 pm if God wants to give "one more day of leave. Don Lipe said that his five children died. His wife left him when he was 44 years and sought a more patojo never remarried. "I'm a vacancy, although I have several girlfriends," he smiles.

At his age, still does his own laundry, carrying water and cooking, and even if they wanted to take a nursing home refuses to lose his freedom, so long as life will continue to bless him shining in the park.

Source:dca.gob.gt(Guatemala)