As many may know,
On April 16, 2016, Ecuador was hit with an Earthquake of 7.8. Even after the
big earthquake, there have been over 100 aftershocks continuing even today. This
Earthquake has affected over 1 million Ecuadorians; over 650 people have lost
their lives. Rescue efforts are difficult and as each day passes by, it is less
likely to find people that survived under the rubble. Those people that have
survived are injured, homeless, lack water, food and medical care.
My parents were
born and raised in Ecuador and ever since I was a toddler, every summer I would
go to Ecuador to visit family. Ecuador to me has become a second home country
that I love and care. This is why it is hard to see all these things going on,
and even more so since we are in a different country.
In my hometown of Plainfield,
there have been many events organized to collect donations. Plainfield is one
of the top 3 cities in NJ when it comes to the Ecuadorian community. On
Saturday, April 23, 2016, through the Angels for Action in Plainfield, NJ (at
the Plainfield City Hall) people got together and came to donate. A list was
posted and shared on Facebook and other social networks letting people know
what items are needed.
As I showed up to
the event, it was pleasing to see how many people gathered together and helped
by donating supplies, after donating, I stayed helping loading trucks and
preparing care packages. After I brought my car in and donated the supplies I
had, I stayed a couple of hours to help out loading up trucks. In the middle of
the sadness with what is going on, it is beautiful to see everyone helping each
other out. It does not matter how far away people are from their home country,
they have gone above and beyond to help out.
In the past week,
I have learned to understand the power of social media and how it can reach
millions of people in a matter of minutes. Through the shared videos and posts from
family and friends, it has made it easier to get updated information on what is
going on at every moment as well as what supplies are in great need.
Earthquakes can occur at any moment and at any
place; it is something we cannot control. What we can control is polluting
less, finding alternatives to be eco-friendly and stop global warming from
rising. Global warming is not a myth; it is real. After seeing what is going on
in Ecuador has made me realize that Mother Nature is dangerous and can cause a
lot of damage. Yes, an earthquake we cannot control, but if we do not start
making positive changes to cut global warming, than we are just going to keep
having disasters occurring more often around the world.
It is going to take Ecuador a very long time
to get back on their feet from this. But it is beautiful to see that even in
the most difficult time everyone is getting together and giving a hand, going above and
beyond to help out. Just from the event that took place in Plainfield City
Hall, we filled up 3 containers that are currently on there way to Ecuador.
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