How did you get to know the Sisters Hospitallers?

When the construction of Puntiti was finished, they were looking for people to clean the remaining paint and clean the rooms, I took the job with my husband; then an engineer told me that the religious sisters who would occupy the place needed support people to take care of orphaned children arriving from another city. I introduced myself to Sister Maria Cruz Q.D.E.P., she asked me if I knew how to cook, I told her that I do all the housework and so I stayed in the kitchen, she told me that I had to calculate the quantities and flavours well so as not to waste anything, because the children should eat well and healthily. I only knew how to cook for a maximum of 6 people and here I had to cook for more than 30 children, it was difficult at first, but I learnt a lot with Sister Maria Cruz.

What aspects of your work in the Puntiti Therapeutic Community do you highlight?

I learned a lot with the sisters, I started to learn more dishes, measurements and above all to think about the health of the children. Even two months after I started working they brought the kitchen that is still working today, it is a big kitchen with an oven, I never saw such a kitchen, but now after so many years, 28 years later I know it as well as a friend.

The sisters taught me that everything we do has to be done with love and respect for the children, they are the main engine of the institution and we have to keep learning with them and for them, the work is sacrificed, but it is all worth it for the wawitas (children).

What value does working with the Sisters Hospitallers add to your life?

Love, hard work, responsibility, effort. I am already 62 years old, I could never have imagined working so many years for the sisters, but everything I do is for the children, they are like a second family to me, the day I retire it will be because my body is already very tired or I am in a lot of pain, in the meantime I will continue working for the children, my children.

Thanks for everything to the Sisters Hospitallers, I shared a whole life with them.