This is from a message I just received from Leo, our Communications Coordinator in Chile. Please keep our sponsored children and staff members in your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times.

Hi Kelly,

Thank God, I'm home now, in the city of Quilpué -- more than 10 kilometers from the coast.

When the aftershock happened I was at the home of some sponsored children, finishing [a] video, in an elevated area of Viña del Mar.

Following the aftershocks, we were on our way to the office. Up to that point everything looked normal; but when we got to the city we saw people running toward the mountains. That's when we found out about the tsunami warning. Our driver followed the traffic, which once again led us to the higher areas of the city. Along the way we met some of the staff; they quickly climbed in the truck with us...

As always, cell phones and other forms of communication stopped working.

Kelly, what else can I tell you...I've never lived through an experience like this one. As an anecdote, at the very moment of the aftershocks, the transfer of presidential powers was taking place in Valparaíso...now we oficially have a new president.

Thank you very much for all the concern. Thank God that my family and the agency staff are all fine.

Leo

As always, we are making every effort to identify the location and condition of each of our sponsored children. Sponsors whose children have been directly affected by the earthquakes or their effects will be notified as soon as this is determined. Please continue to monitor our website, www.children.org, for the latest emergency alerts.