In the hair salon of Leo Sanmartín, only one chair is left in front of a mirror, where nurses Carmen Prieto and Carmen Garrido from Córdoba are cleaning mud. In Ignacio’s flooded house in the most affected and inaccessible part of the city, young volunteers from Barcelona, Logroño, and other places emptied the entire house by hand. Ignacio is touched by their efforts and praises the youth for their hard work. At Calzados Ribera, volunteers from Malaga, Murcia, and Galicia are helping clean up the shop. Pedro Ribera, the owner, observes as volunteers wash boots and sneakers in a bucket. Diego Fernandez and Alvaro de Tejada, both in their early 20s, came from El Escorial to help clean out mud and debris from a horchateria and a tobacco shop. Inspired by a news report, they felt compelled to lend a hand in the relief efforts.
The impromptu army of thousands of young people entering the flood-affected towns with brooms on their shoulders continues to grow and will reach its peak on Saturday. The mayors of five affected localities acknowledge the invaluable contribution of these young volunteers who tirelessly work to remove mud and debris. These volunteers, who seem to multiply each day, are praised for their rapid, effective, and tremendous response to the disaster. Their dedication and hard work are helping to restore normalcy to the affected areas.
In Paiporta, Antonio Casas recalls the harrowing experience of rescuing his granddaughter from the floodwaters, showcasing the courage and resilience displayed by the community members during the crisis. At the parish of San Jorge, a group of young Christian volunteers from Madrid under the guidance of Francisco Bravo are diligently assisting in the restoration of the church. Despite the devastation caused by the flooding, the volunteers are committed to rebuilding and revitalizing the parish.
Various volunteers, including Belgian nuns and police officers from Elda, are contributing to the cleanup efforts in different capacities. Gardeners from Madrid, hailing from Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Peru, are lending their physical prowess to aid in the relief work. The selfless dedication of these volunteers, who have traveled from different parts of Spain and abroad, highlights the solidarity and unity among individuals in times of crisis. The overwhelming response from volunteers emphasizes the urgent need for support and assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.
As the day comes to a close, volunteers prepare to leave, some taking the special bus provided by the municipality while others walk back, carrying their brooms. Many will spend the night in cars, vans, tents, or with friends, ready to return the next day. Each passing day brings a sense of progress and improvement to devastated cities like Paiporta, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of these young volunteers. The display of gratitude from residents, expressed through signs and banners, serves as a testament to the impact of the volunteer efforts in rebuilding and restoring the community.
