As Peru battles one of the world's highest COVID-19 caseloads (nearly 200,000 confirmed cases as of June 8), an octogenarian is proving age is just a number when it comes to making a difference. Meet Paulino Arrieta Gálvez – the 84-year-old 'coffer craftsman' turning pandemic anxiety into community action. 💪
Armed with woodworking tools and grandchildren as eager apprentices, Paulino creates intricately designed coffers (decorative chests) to lift spirits. 'Everyone leaves someday,' he says with a smile. 'But while we’re here, why not create joy?' 🌈 His project serves dual purposes: preserving traditional craftsmanship and providing therapeutic relief from pandemic stress.
🚀 The intergenerational initiative has become a local sensation, blending ancestral skills with Gen Z creativity. Residents of Lima have started displaying these colorful chests as symbols of resilience – because sometimes hope needs a physical form to hold onto.
