Asilo Brunet Celarain: A Refuge for the Elderly in Mérida
Asilo Brunet Celarain is an institution with a rich history and a deep commitment to caring for Mérida's most vulnerable elderly. With 122 years of history, this place was born thanks to the generosity of José María Celarain, who bequeathed $100,000 pesos in his will to create a space dedicated to sheltering the destitute. Throughout its history, the nursing home has evolved, adapting to the community's needs.
In 1925, when begging was banned in the city, the space was transformed into a community dining room and school. However, at the beginning of the last century, a lack of resources led Congress to merge the San Carlos hospice, sponsored by Pedro Brunet, with the Celarain institution due to the former’s financial difficulties. The San Carlos hospice land was turned into a parking lot, while the latter continued its social assistance work.
The arrival of the Sisters and the revitalization of the nursing home
In the 1970s, the Luisas de Marillac Women's Association invited Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados (the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly) from Valencia, Spain, to take charge of the institution, which had by then become a home for destitute elderly. The Sisters arrived in Mérida on January 16, 1963, to find a dilapidated establishment, mostly inhabited by elderly people. With dedication and effort, they built an infirmary, chapel, kitchen, laundries, and other essential spaces, revitalizing the place.
Commitment to comprehensive care at Asilo Brunet Celarain
Today, Asilo Brunet Celarain spans an area of 11,000 square meters and is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for the elderly, focusing on their physical, mental, and overall well-being. The residents, who are individuals with little or no financial resources or without family, are welcomed voluntarily, ensuring they wish to be there. Admission is limited to those over 65 years old, who undergo a medical evaluation before being assigned to different areas of the nursing home based on their needs.
The home offers a wide range of services, including clothing, food, personal hygiene, physical and occupational therapy, psychological support, and social work. Currently, it’s home to 135 residents and employs 48 staff members, including nurses who work in shifts to ensure that someone is always available to attend to medical emergencies.
Events and activities: Keeping the community spirit alive
Despite challenges such as maintaining the place in optimal conditions and educating families about the difficulties of elder care, the nursing home remains a vibrant place. The Sisters organize various events for the residents, such as Family Olympics, benefit concerts, bingo, lotteries, outings to haciendas, and Grandparents’ Day celebrations in August.
Upcoming events include the Lupita Race on September 1 and a paella-themed fair on October 6. Additionally, the nursing home always welcomes donations of diapers, personal hygiene items, and cleaning products to continue providing a dignified environment for its residents.
Volunteer and donation opportunities
Individuals interested in volunteering must be at least 18 years old and undergo an interview to be placed in the most suitable area based on their schedules and availability. For more information about donations or volunteering, you can contact 999 456 0814.
A legacy of compassion and service
From its beginnings to the present day, Asilo Brunet Celarain remains a beacon of compassion and service in Mérida, providing a home and care to those who need it most, largely thanks to the legacy of individuals like Don Pedro Brunet, José María Celarain, and other benefactors who made its existence possible. However, the true heart of this home lies in the tireless work of Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados.
The work of the Sisters goes beyond the material, as they offer the residents of the nursing home warmth and a sense of belonging for those in the twilight of their lives, ensuring that their final years are dignified and filled with love. The constant presence of Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados and their commitment to the well-being of the elderly is a living testament that no one is forgotten at Asilo Brunet Celarain.
We invite you to join this noble cause; whether through donations, volunteering, or simply sharing the story of Asilo Brunet Celarain, every gesture counts. Let's help ensure that its residents live their final years surrounded by the love and respect they deserve. Make a difference today!
Asilo Brunet Celarain
Av. Cupules #509 x 62 y 72, Col. Reforma
999 244 2344
Donations: 999 456 0814, 999 925 0846, 999 925 3411
Encargada: Victoria Zavala Martínez
celarainsureste@hotmail.com
IG: asilobrunet
FB: Asilo Brunet Celarain
Asilo Brunet Celarain is part of the mutual aid network Mérida Nos Une. This network provides a space for citizens to connect, share resources, ideas, and experiences, and work together on projects and activities that benefit the community at large.
If you're unsure where to help, you can contact the network to explore various ways to get involved, support, and make a difference together. Reach out via cell phone at 999 338 8592, send an email to meridanosune1@gmail.com or meridanosune@merida.gob.mx, or fill out the "Quiero Ayudar (I Want to Help)" form on the Mérida Nos Une Platform.
Learn more about this and other associations that you can support at Volunteering in Yucatán: Give your best this 2024.
Photography by Carlos Guzmán for its use in Yucatán Today.
First published in Yucatán Today website in August 2024.
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