Gregoria Alonso Jiménez, or Goya Cañona, as she is called, is a neighbor of Afur, president of the La Cumbrecilla Neighborhood Association, and known for fighting, throughout her life, to improve the quality of life of the residents of all towns , neighborhoods and hamlets of the Anaga massif. A woman committed to the people, the environment and the culture of this area, who at 72 years of age, “27 backwards”, as she says, will have, by decision of the City Council, a section of Paseo de San Pedro, in Afur, with his name.
“A recognition in life”, as Goya admits, who says he receives it “with pride and with great surprise”. This neighbor from Afur helps anyone who asks her for a favor. He says that he does it “with his heart” and that he talks “with whoever is necessary.”
Everyone knows her. “They collaborate with me because they know who I am and because I insist until I achieve it. If you are not heavy, people forget about you and you get nothing. This is how things are done, ”he says. This is not the first distinction that Goya receives from an institution on the Island. Already in 2017, the Cabildo de Tenerife recognized his work.
His love for others and for helping comes from afar. His father was, for many years, pediatric mayor of Anaga and from him he learned the real needs of the population of Afur and the rest of the Massif. “We are nine brothers and the one who most resembles him is me. I inherited his seriousness, respect for others and the desire to collaborate with everyone. And I do it because I like that the people have what they need and what they deserve, ”explains Goya, who also recognizes that it makes her very happy to feel loved and that they believe she is a fighter. “I don’t look at the colors. I fight for people and that makes me happy. I have managed to win the affection of many people. Even some technicians from the Cabildo, for example, with whom I was fighting, and now that they are not on the island they have called me to congratulate me. I don’t behave that badly ”, he jokes.
Since 1970, Goya has been “entering the City Council of the capital and dealing with the political class for the good of Anaga, from Taborno to the upper part of Los Campitos.” She tells DIARIO DE AVISOS that thanks to her roads and urban transport improved, she managed to get Afur to have a medical office and to rehabilitate the Hermitage. In addition, it has tried to reduce the isolation felt by the neighbors. “Anaga is the lung of Santa Cruz. Here there are also problems and politicians have to be with the neighbors ”, he says.
Goya does not know when the walk with his name will open. A date, he says, that he is “looking forward to taking out a ball of gofio and champagne to celebrate it.” Humor is not lacking in this neighbor from Afur, who has been fighting for Anaga all her life.
