In Fão | Let's help PAOLO

Paolo is 49 years old, Italian, from Bologna and is currently homeless in Fão.

He came on the illusion of a job, he came by car and brought his luggage and his cat with him. He's been living in his car since 17th January. His car broke down in Fão and he has no money to repair it.

People living on the street realised and offered to help with food. There we met a humble, quiet man who accepted little and asked for nothing. At the beginning of this process, he was fine and optimistic, but as the days went by and the conditions he was living in affected him mentally, he decided that he wanted to go back to his country, Italy, and take what little he had with him, his car and his cat.

As already mentioned, the car is in need of repairs, and with the help of everyone involved, a mechanic has already been there to assess what it needs and quoted a price of around €600, already offering his labour. In addition to this amount, we'll have to arrange insurance for the car to be able to run and leave him some money to refuel and return to his country.

The institutions that could help in this case are already aware of the situation, but are offering nothing more than food from the Holy House and accommodation without the cat. However, we would like to inform you that he has rejected the stay, because he refuses to abandon his cat (who is very well cared for), and he has also received disapproving looks from those who deliver his food, which has embarrassed him.

What has helped this human being is the kindness shown to him by citizens and neighbours, who give him food, baths and warm clothes every day. In fact, the inoperability of the institutions, due to excessive bureaucracy and a lack of humanity, leaves a lot to be desired, as we had hoped that there would be follow-up and communication with the embassy.

At the moment, our focus is on getting him out of this situation and allowing this being, who had a normal life just like the rest of us, to regain his dignity. We can't wait any longer for organisations and bureaucracies that never end and solve nothing.

We are all very grateful for this sense of Fangueira community and we will be grateful to everyone who contributes what they can financially to Paolo's return to his country.

Always remember that these are situations that can happen to any of us or to family members who try their luck abroad.

The estimated costs will be €1,200, including the €600 budgeted for fixing the car, €200 for car insurance on average (it could be more) and €400 for travelling according to the Viamichelin itinerary map for 2110 km.

As soon as we reach the target amount, we'll suspend this action; if we exceed it, the amount will be donated to an institution in need of food in the municipality of Esposende.