The Fight to Save the Historic Eva Perón Home in Burzaco

The Fight to Save the Historic Eva Perón Home in Burzaco

The Fight to Save the Historic Eva Perón Home in Burzaco

There’s a powerful story unfolding right now around the Eva Perón Home in Burzaco, a place that has stood for 76 years as a beacon of dignity and care for older adults. Recently, news broke that the national government is planning to close this beloved residence, a move that has left its residents, their families, and the workers deeply upset and worried.

Alejandro Barboza is one of the roughly 30 seniors currently living at the home. When asked about the closure, he said something that really captures the mood: “There are people with power who just don’t care about us.” Alejandro’s words come from experience — he’s lived there a long time, and this home is more than just a building to him; it’s his community and his life. He speaks with a mix of anger, sadness, and a quiet dignity. For him and many others, this place is home.

The Eva Perón Home was founded back in 1948 by Eva Perón herself as part of a groundbreaking effort to dignify old age. It was built on a vast piece of land in Burzaco and became a model for comprehensive elder care. Though its name was taken away during the military coup of 1955, it was restored in 1973. Today, it remains the only one of eight homes originally built by the Eva Perón Foundation still standing and functioning with its original architecture and spirit intact.

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Residents don’t see it as a nursing home or a storage place for the elderly. This is a lively community with theaters, workshops, gardens, a chapel, and a sense of family. People have friendships, daily routines, and meaningful projects. Alejandro, for example, talked about how they create small sources of income by selling plants or holding fairs to buy supplies like diapers and gloves. It’s their way of surviving and maintaining dignity despite the uncertainty around them.

The announcement of the closure came without warning. The government says it’s just a “temporary” measure for renovations and reorganization, but no official documents, timelines, or plans have been shared. Workers like María Luisa Sosa, who has been caring for the residents for many years, don’t buy it. She worries about the disruption to medical care, the loss of jobs, and most of all, the impact on the residents’ emotional well-being. Moving them to other homes far from Burzaco would break their bonds with family, friends, and familiar routines — something many believe could cause great harm, even death from loneliness.

Families are pleading for the home to stay open. Lucía Rodríguez, whose mother lives there, said, “They’ve shared their lives for so long. Separating them would be heartbreaking. This is their place.” The local municipality has stepped in, with the mayor requesting the home be transferred under municipal control to guarantee its continuity and even expand capacity without forcing residents to move.

Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, and the national government has yet to respond decisively. For residents, workers, and families, this isn’t just about a building closing. It’s about a social policy that guarantees care and respect for the elderly. Closing it means closing a chapter on a unique model of support and compassion that was built on the vision of Evita herself.

In short, the fight to save the Eva Perón Home is about more than just a residence — it’s about preserving dignity, history, and human connection in the face of political and economic pressures. Those who live and work there are united in their message: this home is not lost, and they will keep fighting to keep it alive.

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