Annons
  1. Svenska
  2. English
  3. العربية

Inga-Lill Bengtsson: Inga-Lill Bengtsson: ”My father is in good spirits, even although it's hard”

There 's a lot of working from home just now. With a cat that simply must sit in my lap while I'm writing. All the same, I have the privilege of being able to work from home – and of having a job.
Inga-Lill BengtssonSkicka e-post
Kristianstad • Publicerad 7 november 2020 • Uppdaterad 8 november 2020
Inga-Lill Bengtsson
Detta är en personligt skriven text i Mosaik Kristianstadsbladet. Åsikter som uttrycks är skribentens egna.
Inga-Lill Bengtsson, edit Kb Mosaik.
Inga-Lill Bengtsson, edit Kb Mosaik.Foto: Lasse Ottosson
”Hard words widen the gap between us”
Inga-Lill Bengtsson

Now and again I listen to news from the election in USA. So far the outcome is still uncertain. There are times when I think the debate is tiring. Hard words widen the gap between us. We need a calm debate and a proper dialogue, with more understanding for each other.

We're all tired of the pandemic. Now no more than eight people can sit at the same table in a restaurant. And if one person in the family falls ill, the whole family must stay at home.

Annons

But there are bright spots. For people in Kristianstad municipality who belong to a risk- group there is a helpline where you can phone if you need to talk to someone about what is worrying you or if you need practical help, for example with shopping. 20 volunteers are there to help you. Some of them speak several languages.

”We must be able to live and hold out over a long period”
Inga-Lill Bengtsson

Loui Alkafri is a volunteer. He came to Sweden as a refugee. He does the shopping for Alice Östberg, who has difficulty in walking and who spends a lot of time sitting alone.

– My own parents are old. When I came to Sweden I was given a lot of help. So now I want to help others, to show my gratitude, he says.

– It's great that there's help to be had, says Alice Östberg. Read more on pages 16-18.

At Gamlegården the library has had to be closed in the afternoons because of unruliness and drug-dealing in between the bookshelves. Two of the permanent staff are on long-term sick-leave. The plan is to keep closed in the afternoons until February. But municipal commissioner Peter Johansson (M) says:

– We, the community at large, must not abdicate simply because of unruliness and criminality, we must go in and show our strength. As soon as we can find a way to stop it, we must open again. Read more on page 10.

Demands for security guards and surveillance cameras are often heard in the debate, both in Kristianstad and in Östra Göinge. But that is not a solution in the long run. So it is heartwarming to meet young adults who want to play a part in helping other young people out into society.

”If he and my mother can put up with things, so can you and I”
Inga-Lill Bengtsson

The new association Framtida Ungdomar – Youth for the Future – makes a difference in Östra Göinge. Read about the plans Adan Mohammed, Abdirahman Ali and Yasmin Mahammud have. They want to start activities for young people, especially the ones who have just arrived. Read more on page 6.

Good news.  KB Mosaik will be published next year too. Shawana Badat, Moira Uggla, Sofyan Aswad and Inga-Lill Bengtsson.
Good news. KB Mosaik will be published next year too. Shawana Badat, Moira Uggla, Sofyan Aswad and Inga-Lill Bengtsson.Foto: Privat
”The light is welcome”
Inga-Lill Bengtsson
Annons

Now the corona virus is everywhere in the community. But we must be able to live and hold out over a long period. So we must follow advice to limit the spread of the infection. My mother lives in a retirement home. We were allowed to see her a few times indoors before meetings were once again prohibited. My father lives close to the home. They are both 93, and have been married for 67 years. Now he sits all alone in his flat. He isn't allowed to meet her either.

My father understands the seriousness of the situation. He's in good spirits, even although it's hard. If he and my mother can put up with things, so can you and I.

We'll soon be lighting our first Advent candle. The light is welcome. Take care of yourselves and of each other.

Annons
Annons
Annons
Annons