earthquake - LiftOne - A community with a cause: lifting the weight of poverty, one child at a time.

Ecuador Rocked by Earthquake Ecuador Rocked by Earthquake

From: dkitchin
Description:

Ecuador was rocked by a 6.9 earthquake early this morning. Children International in Guayaquil was not affected. As the quake's epicenter was more than 100 miles from Quito, none of our sponsored children or families there have been affected. I thought you would want to know.
Blog post
4 weeks ago
Views: 175

SNG for school, Franchesca fro SNG for school, Franchesca from Chile

From: JuanaCeline
Description:

Of course I send 100 USD school SNG for Franchesca, Chile, as well (see Eunice).

I had to reward that she had a school report with mark "6.5" where "7" is the best!! (little swotty grin)

School start in Chile was in March, short time after the terrible earthquake, and I was happy to receive the photos showing me she was not harmed.

And again a "little Miss Pinky" on board....

I donated 3rd of February, gift arrived 4th of March and I already received the pictures 15th of March.

She bought a pink bag, too, and sneakers, pencil case, college books, pencils etc. and food from it.

Now I only have to wait for an acknowledgement of the receipt of Jenny´s first semester for college (SNG of 414 USD, total over 1600 USD in 2 years). Hope she is settling in well there.
2 months ago
Views: 346

Letter from Patricio, May 2010 Letter from Patricio, May 2010

From: Shana B
Description:

This is my third letter from Patricio who lives in Chile. I was so happy to hear from him! He is very sweet.

"Dear Sharon C.,

I hope you are well. There was an earthquake here in Chile and thank God nobody died in my family. I do very well in school and I have lots of friends. I have a new cousin in my family. She is the daughter of my aunt Caroline. She is very cute and her name is Angela. I want to thank you for being concerned about me and it makes me happy to hear that you think of me from afar. I am closing with a kiss."

Patricio

http://shanaskids.blogspot.com/
4 months ago
Views: 500

Re: Zambia: Humanitarian crisi Re: Zambia: Humanitarian crisis looms as flooding persist

From: jenkinsg
Description:

If an area CI serves is affected by a disaster, they post alerts on the main CI site. (And probably here, too.) The CI staff goes out and tracks down all the sponsored families to see how they are faring and provide assistance. They notify individual sponsors if their children were seriously affected by the event--like if they were injured or their home destroyed. They don't notify individually of temporary evacuations. Read the stories about the Chile earthquake, for example.
5 months ago
Views: 43
Forum: Sponsoring ...

This is How We Like Our Chile This is How We Like Our Chile

From: CI_Staff
Description:

Children International Communications Coordinator, Leo Montecinos shares some uplifting views on post-earthquake Valparaíso.

The earthquake of February 27th left evidence of many of our shortcomings. Many are still without lines of communication, electricity or water, even three weeks after the terrible event. Nevertheless, in these days we have also discovered some positive signs, which I would like to emphasize:

- A few days after the earthquake happened, in the streets of our cities, we Chileans witnessed a notable occurrence: many families raised the Chilean flag in front of their homes. I must point out, that under normal circumstances, Chilean law states that the flag can only be flown on our Independence Day. This spontaneous act got the media’s attention. “The flag gives us optimism and happiness. It raises our spirits. We must fly it to the hilts, so that Chile can fly again too,” said one citizen upon being interviewed by a local television station. And it’s true – walking through the streets and seeing the homes with their flags makes us happy.

- Another outstanding occurrence is that the local television channels quickly organized and came together to start a campaign to raise money. After 24 hours of uninterrupted transmission, they doubled the amount of money they were hoping to collect! The media, the local artists who participated in the show, private companies and individual citizens made this dream possible.

- Finally, I’d like to point out the countless people who decorated the windows of their cars with messages like “Be Strong Chile!”, “Let’s Go Chile!”, and “Go Chile!” These are messages that we have been able to read everywhere, and without a doubt, we are slowly achieving our goals. Still today we see these cars pass by, and we feel elated.

This is the Chile that we are experiencing now: A patriotic Chile, full of solidarity. A Chile that we hope lasts forever, because, this is how we like our Chile.

You too can still help raise Chile’s spirit. If you’d like to make a donation to help rebuild and repair the homes of sponsored children in Valparaiso, please visit our Emergency Alert page.
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 1011

A Note from the Scene of the E A Note from the Scene of the Earthquake

From: CI_KellyN
Description:

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.
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 1052

Has anyone heard from Chile Has anyone heard from Chile

From: Jayhawk
Description:

Has anyone who has kids from Chile heard anything from them. I know the earthquake has disrupted communications. I signed up for two llittle girls from the Valpariso area in January and I have heard from one but not the other. I am rather concerned and wondered how long it usually takes to hear from the families. I sent birthday cards, stickers and special money for them do we get to know what they buy for them? Lots of questions need to learn from those of you who are long time sponsors.

Jayhawk
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 819
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A "Tour" of Valparaiso A "Tour" of Valparaiso

From: CI_Staff
Description:

By Leo Montecinos

Walking the streets and alleyways of the city of Valparaiso has always a good sightseeing outing; however, ever since the morning of Saturday, February 27th, the outing has changed from touristic to horrifying.

This time on our walk we saw cracked streets and destroyed homes, downed communication lines, water shortage, injured people, death and families who lost everything. This is the result of one of the most intense earthquakes ever registered in the history of Chile.

In the city of Valparaiso, the damages are palpable; homes that have lost their facades, mounds of rubble, broken glass, and above all else, the worried faces of our people. That is what we saw on our tour of the city. “Don’t leave us. Please help us,” a passer-by implored with anguish upon recognizing we were from Children International.

As we continued on, a phone call informed us that a volunteer had lost her home. We quickly made our way to her house... We found ourselves at a desolate scene.

Nevertheless, comfort and hope aren’t totally absent. “The most important thing is that my family is okay,” María Jara told us with a mix of sadness and satisfaction. María is an outstanding volunteer for Children International. “The policemen came to visit my home, and they told me that I had to leave, that I couldn’t keep living here anymore.”

María, along with her family, went to live temporarily with her mother, while they wait to regroup and overcome this tremendous hardship. Her daughter, Javiera Sandoval, doesn’t want to go home. “She’s very scared. She doesn’t want to go back to that place,” says María. At just four years old, Javiera will never forget what she went through in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 27th.

Today, Chile is sad. Valparaiso is sad. Her people are sad and frightened. Aftershocks are common place, yet the the outpour of kindness from every corner of the world is comforting. It is comforting to know that so many people care about this little country, which despite it’s difficulties, will find a way to keep moving forward... and without a doubt, we will!

Leopoldo is our Communications Coordinator in Valparaíso, Chile.
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 2077

Good Night, Mommy and Daddy Good Night, Mommy and Daddy

From: CI_Staff
Description:

By Leopoldo Montecinos

When on the night of February 26 my wife (who had just returned from the hospital after being released), my three little boys and I were saying good night, we never imagined we’d be so rudely awakened. Just a few hours later we had to get up. Quickly, struggling to keep our balance, we ran to our children’s room…

Thank God, they didn’t even wake up! Yes, it’s true…they didn’t wake up! Only the youngest, two-year-old Vicente, sat up at the end of the longest three minutes we’d ever lived through, tenderly said “Daddy…” and went back to sleep…

Despite the experience and the intensity of the earthquake, we never imagined the true magnitude of what had occurred – and what was about to happen…without water or electricity, an old battery-powered radio (the kind no one uses any more) was our companion for the rest of the night. All we could pick up was radio stations from Argentina, who were giving the first reports of what had happened in our country. Everything was confusion.

With no phone lines and no cell phones, we were cut off from communications. The batteries on the old radio began to run down…we didn’t get power again until Sunday night (and there are places that still don’t have lights or water.)

It’s only in the past couple of days that we’ve come to know the real magnitude of this earthquake and the tsunamis that followed it; it’s an enormous tragedy. Chile is prone to earthquakes, but we never get used to them and cease to be surprised. The aftershocks (last night we had a 6.1) keep reminding us, at every moment, of what happened.

Chile is trying to get back up like so many other times. Chile is seeking calm; Chile is hoping to once again say “Good night.”

Leopoldo Montecinos is the Communications Coordinator for Children International’s agency in Valparaíso, Chile. Watch the blog for firsthand accounts of what Leo has experienced as he and other staff members have visited families of sponsored children in the days following last Saturday’s tragic earthquake.
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 1316

CI Staff Surveys Communities A CI Staff Surveys Communities Affected by Earthquake

From: CI_SarahT
Description:

As rescue and recovery crews clear rubble in Chile’s quake-ravaged communities, Children International staff have begun the process of surveying sponsorship areas and identifying the status of sponsored children and families directly affected by the disaster.

Our staff on the ground stresses that it could take a week or more before they are able to submit a thorough and detailed assessment of the disaster given the extensive damage to infrastructure.

Rest assured that we will contact all sponsors whose children have been directly affected by the disaster once our staff in Chile can provide us with a full report. And we will continue to post any and all developments to our site as they arise.

Current reports indicate that as many as two dozen families have incurred damage to their homes, but there have been no reports of significant injuries to sponsored children.

Marcia Ligüeño, the mother of a sponsored child, told staff that the supports of her house are on the verge of collapse. “My home is almost in the air,” she said about the upheaval.

Some sponsored families’ homes in Valparaíso have been inspected by structural engineers to verify whether or not they are safe for habitation. So far, initial reports from our agency staff suggest there is no total loss in the area.

Chile’s Department of Education also postponed the start of the school year, which was scheduled to begin today, March 3, until March 8. However, Children International’s community centers are resuming operations and many volunteers and youth are joining efforts to deliver help to those in need.

Note: We will post updates to our website, www.children.org, as they become available. Please check back frequently.
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 1046

My Girls My Girls

From: Jayhawk
Description:

I have two little girls in the Valpariso area. I decided since we all have so much that instead of buying gifts for each other in the family (the adults) I would sponsor a child. Well like the potato chip saying I couldn't stop at one. So now I have Scarlett and Maura. They will be 4 in March and May. I have heard from Scarlett but not Maura. Now it will be much longer now with the earthquake damage. I finally figured out how to put their pictures on. I understand
6 months ago
Views: 34
Forum: Sponsoring ...

Chile Earthquake Chile Earthquake

From: Jayhawk
Description:

Has anyone heard anything from CI on their kids? I have Scarlett and Maura who live in the Valpariso area and am so eager to hear. I realize that the region is in chaos but can't help but worry. I have only had these little ones for 2 months but already love them from just their pictures. Would love to hear from any of you.

Jayhawk
Blog post
6 months ago
Views: 893

Huge Earthquake Strikes Chile Huge Earthquake Strikes Chile

From: CI_KellyN
Description:

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile early Saturday morning. The epicenter was located near Concepcion, nearly 200 miles south of Valparaíso, where Children International sponsors more than 17,000 children.

We do not have any reports of injuries to sponsored children or their families at this time. However, detailed reports from our staff on the ground are still forthcoming, as many communication and transportation lines are down. Infrastructure damage has been reported.

The Santiago airport is expected to be shut down for the next 24 hours.

It is Children International’s policy to contact sponsors when their sponsored child has been directly affected by a disaster.

We will provide updates here as we receive new information from our staff in the field.

Thank you for your support and concern.

Note: We will post updates to our website, www.children.org, as they become available. Please check back frequently.
Blog post
7 months ago
Views: 1132

Valparaiso, Chile Valparaiso, Chile

From: jbmariahall
Description:

I sponsor Karen, a girl in Chile through the Valparaiso agency of Children International. I am eager to hear anything about the effect and needs of all ~17,000 children this agency serves. An 8.8 earthquake hit the area earlier today. Karen lives in a community where most families survive on incomes that average around $187 a month, where the unemployment rate is high.
Blog post
7 months ago
Views: 1614

Getting to Know Haiti Under Sp Getting to Know Haiti Under Special Circumstances

From: CI_Staff
Description:

In this moving post, Dayanara Reyes, a former Children International employee from the Dominican Republic, shares how a recent relief trip to Haiti dispelled some ancient misconceptions about her neighboring country...and taught her important lessons about brotherhood.

“Hard times are when we learn who our friends are”

By Dayanara Reyes

A month after the earthquake stuck our brother nation of Haiti, a group of friends and coworkers decided to carry food rations from the Fair Trade Banana Producers [in the Dominican Republic] to a specific group of affected people there.

Days before our trip, the dates weren’t working out. There were purchasing and trip delays; one of the front tires of the semi truck carrying the donation blew out…I found myself thinking, then and along the journey, “Should we cancel this trip? If all this is happening to us here, what awaits us over there?”

As we traveled, many of us expected the entry to Haiti to be difficult…traumatic….Just a few kilometers after entering Haiti, we stopped to eat some snacks we had brought along so we could have energy for the work ahead. Carlos, who accompanied us and served as our driver for the whole trip, was surprised to see a group of Haitians stop when they saw us, because they thought we were having problems with the vehicle and were coming to help us. Right then we did a little reflecting…The common notion is that Haitians are people without feelings who think only of themselves, but that first action showed us that was a mistaken image of their country and its people.

When we finally got to where we were to unload the donations, a Haitian man, noticeably moved and who obviously was from a high social class (in Haiti, there are only two social classes: very high and very low) stopped when he saw the truck and said, “Thank you for all the help you have brought from the Dominican Republic; that shows us we are brothers.” This was a second lesson that showed and reconfirmed that there is a mistaken impression of this nationality.

As the goods were being unloaded, we proceeded to take a tour of the city so we could see how it was left and the impact [of the earthquake] on its inhabitants. The images were devastating…public offices completely out of commission – destroyed…inhabitants camping in different parks, on grassy areas with public restrooms, where you could see the clothing, the tents and the few donations they have received…right then you could see how children, adults and the elderly intermingled, and we thought of all the diseases that could be transmitted; but neither we nor they could do anything about it then. Seeing this made us feel helpless in a way.

We continued our tour, and we encountered a blind man in front of the Cathedral, which was partially damaged; it was impressive to see the Christ on the cross still intact. This man moved us, because even though he couldn’t see, he narrated with his song and his guitar the story of what happened there, as though he had seen it all…the deaths, the destruction, the children crying….

Out of everything we experienced during those three days, the greatest message one of our Haitian brothers left with us was, “Many Haitians have left our country; however, we need Haitians to make a firm decision to stay here and rebuild our country.” [I was impressed by] his dedication, patriotism, strength and love for his own, enough to get back up in spite of this great fall. This feeling spread to me, and after I returned home, when people would ask me how I had returned – with everyone expecting me to say “depressed” – my answer was, “Greatly strengthened.”

During the tour, with the emotions of that [fateful] twelfth of December still raw, Jean Marc, who acted as our guide, told us how he survived along with his six- and three-year-old sons:

“We were at my sister’s house. I had been in other earthquakes, but when I saw that this one kept going, that it didn’t stop and was much more intense, and when I saw the house begin to crack, I ran out with my children and didn’t stop until I reached my house. Along the way, my children and I saw houses falling down, people dying, rocks falling on people and their insides coming out. The most traumatic and moving part of our journey [home] was when my six-year-old son told me, “Daddy, now I know what it means when people say the world is coming to an end.”
Blog post
7 months ago
Views: 973