Call for help: Recent Peru earthquake damages grandparents' homes

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First-hand recollection from a citizen of Villa El Salvador

On August 15, 2007, a massive earthquake occurred off the coast of Peru, about 90 miles southeast of Villa El Salvador, where Adopt-a-Grandparent does its work. The information on the earthquake was, at first, sketchy and impersonal as the newspapers can be. After a day or so, however, we were sent eyewitness accounts of how the quake affected Villa El Salvador and Los Martincitos. The story below, from Los Martincitos member Nicholas, is representative of the reports we received. The photo is of Nicholas's own home.

"There has been at least 1 death in Villa El Salvador from a fallen wall and about 1,000 injured. Nationwide, it is estimated that about 17,000 buildings collapsed and 80,000 - 90,000 are not safe anymore. Some of these affected buildings are in [Villa El Salvador]. Help is being sent to the worst-hit areas from all countries but is difficult to organize and control.

"The flags are at half-mast and many events have been cancelled. Los Martincitos had scheduled to have a 'fun day' of games, dances, prizes, food, etc., on the Sunday after the quake, but it was cancelled because we could not celebrate when the country is in mourning.

"People slept in the streets for many days out of fear. The many aftershocks did not help the situation. Many are sleeping in tents in the streets now because their houses no longer exist.

"In the days after the earthquake, we began to hear sad stories as the news filtered through. Many grandparents from Los Martincitos have lost all or parts of their homes.“

 

Two days after the earthquake, Adopt-a-Grandparent's Pamela Jay-Paralikis was finally able to learn that none of the grandparents were injured in the earthquake, but much damage had been done to most of their homes. The damage in Villa El Salvador was small compared to what happened elsewhere, but only the worst areas are receiving the international aid noted above. In Villa El Salvador and a thousand other places, no aid will be received, except that which will come from the generosity of individuals like you.

You can help our grandparents repair their homes. Adopt-a-Grandparent (Adopta un Abuelito), Inc. is providentially situated to send aid. Money given to Adopt-a-Grandparent for earthquake relief will go directly to Los Martincitos through our two banks. The first wire transfers will be sent at the end of August and the middle of September.

We are fortunate that Cross-Cultural Solutions is bringing in volunteers for construction help, so we will not need to pay workers to rebuild our grandparents' homes. However, we desperately need money for materials. We estimate that it will cost approximately $100 to replace a damaged roof and $800 to provide entirely new housing for a grandparent. Any amount you can donate will be a big help.

Be sure to donate now through the Network for Good site above, or by sending a check to Adopt a Grandparent, Inc. at 4651 Myrtle Beach Drive, Sebring, FL 33872. Please do it right now before you forget!