The photographer collected the stories of old people living all alone
Portuguese photographer Ricardo Ramos does not just photograph elderly people, but tells their stories. The Traz-uj-Montis region in Portugal is known for the fact that less than 10 people live in each of the local villages. These are mostly lonely old people whose children have long left their native places — their life has nothing to do with technology, and they earn mainly from agriculture.
The region of Traz os Montes in Portugal, which means "beyond the mountains", is known for villages with a population of less than 10 people. There were cases when there was only one resident in the whole village.
Mostly elderly people live in these small villages — young people have long left these places in search of a better life. Many old people live the same way as their grandparents many years ago.
They live far away from modern technology: televisions and mobile phones are rare here. People earn mainly through agricultural production and sheep breeding. In winter, old people do not leave the house for weeks because of the cold. But the biggest burden they have to face on a daily basis is loneliness.
Photographer Ricardo Ramos is one of the volunteers of the PII project to support lonely elderly people. Its participants regularly visit local old people. The aim of the project is to support the elderly and improve their quality of life.
"The people I met told me amazing stories — I could listen to them for hours," the photographer writes.
Gracinda
Gracinda lost almost all of her family in the accident. Her only surviving daughter is currently in prison. Her brother has cancer. Despite the difficulties, this woman smiles.
She continues to live in the village, where there are only 6 people left. The only thing that helps her cope with longing is faith: Gracinda has a huge collection of figurines of saints, which, according to her, "support the desire to live."
Marcellin
Marcellin traveled a lot and was looking for a better job. He met many women until he found the love of his life. But she ran away with his entire fortune, leaving him with nothing. Now the man lives in his mother's house and spends his days alone. According to him, loneliness is his best friend.
Sezerindo
Ceserindo is a shepherd who has never seen the sea. He lives alone in the company of his sheep, each of which he knows by name. The man says he works every day, but is happy living in his little house in the mountains.
Felisberto
Mr. Felisberto lives in a house on the outskirts of the village with 30 residents. His daughter is disabled, and the only thing he asks God for is to take him to heaven to ease the pain he suffers in his heart every day.
Seraphim
Seraphim Machado, once known as a strong and hardworking man, respected for his experience in agriculture, now leads a poor life. He lives with his youngest son and six animals in a house in which there is nothing but broken windows. Once he had a young wife 30 years younger than him. However, when he got older and his strength left him, she left him and two children for a young man.
Theresa's grandmother
28-year-old Teresa visits her grandmother almost every day. Her grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's disease and lives in a nursing home, but she sometimes recognizes her granddaughter. Teresa wants to take care of her grandmother, because she herself took care of her granddaughter all her life.
Maria
75-year—old Maria is the only resident in her village. This woman's husband died recently. Dogs are her only companions and outlet. They help her in the fight against loneliness.
Happy Hour
In a local nursing home, an hour of visits — a daughter came to visit her mother suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Despite her illness, a woman often recognizes her daughter. Other old people spend days, months or years without seeing their family members.
Alice
In this picture, 92-year-old Alice is rummaging through old photo albums. She lives in a village that has about a dozen inhabitants. In cold winters, a woman does not leave the house because of severe frosts, and at this time of year she feels more than lonely. Alice's husband died young, and she raised eight children alone.
Keywords: Loneliness | Elderly people | Portugal | Old people | B/w | Black and white photo