volcano relief efforts
Most of you have probably heard by now that there was a volcanic eruption in Guatemala that has resulted in the deaths of dozens, injuries to hundreds and displacement of thousands. The counts are rising constantly, so I don’t mention the current counts here on purpose.
Just as relief efforts were underway, yesterday a second eruption of the same volcano, Volcán de Fuego, prevented volunteer firefighters (“bomberos”) from continuing search efforts and forced emergency personnel to retreat from the side and base of the volcano. What’s worse… rain is causing the deposited ash to form mudslides and flooding. Additional lives will certainly be lost.
For more information and coverage of the recent events, visit this link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44378775
The good news is that there are survivors, and some help is on the way! At Guatemala Service Projects, we’re happy to play a part in the relief efforts! Since none of the nonprofit’s officers are currently “on the ground” in Guatemala, we are relying on contacts we have in Guatemala to be our hands and feet!
One such contact is Iris Santander. Iris is a community leader in San Bartolomé Milpas Altas. Her community was not in the path of the volcano and all are well there. I have known Iris since 2015 when we delivered support to her “Backyard School”, a home-grown service to her community, a place where children come after their school day to supplement their education and get additional resources not made available in the classroom. Her outreach has expanded to the “Better Future” project, an initiative providing training to women in the community that, in turn, enables them to have better futures.
In fact, one of our major projects for 2019 will be to supply the Backyard School with a computer lab consisting of 30 laptops! (More on that in a future post, as I really want to focus on volcano relief efforts here!)
Anyway, Iris reached out to me asking if we could help raise funds for disaster relief. She was going to personally purchase and deliver supplies to families affected by the eruption. Thanks to several Facebook “shares” and collective donations, we sent an initial $790 to cover basic food and medical supplies, and also face masks and toiletry items. Our collection continues, with additional funds being sent on Friday June 8th. Saturday, another trip to the affected area has been planned, including specific medicines being requested.
Here are some photos of Iris and her family (and additional helpers) purchasing the supplies. delivering them, and meeting with the displaced families and the fire chief (manager of the bomberos). If you are able to help, please visit the volcano relief page, and share it with friends!
Purchasing food and medical supplies:
Collection center in Alotenango:
Talking with the bomberos:
Talking with affected families:
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.