News from Chile for mylotter friends
By marguicha
@marguicha (223964)
Chile
March 4, 2010 5:56pm CST
Many of you asked me to post news of my country, as time passed. Up to now, the dead people are 802, a small quantity for an earthquake that was 8.8 Richter.
Now that we are a bit more calmed, we can understand better the damages. It will probably take 4 years to rebuild everything that was lost.
There are earthquakes and earthquakes. This is not one I would say "I was scared". This was one in which millions of people feared for their lives and others lost it. Nothing happened to me or mine. That means that my closest friends (here in Santiago and living in a good apartment) are now living with my friend´s mother. All the big window glasses broke and a big shelf fell very near my friend. another one has all her "good" glassware broken. That is nothing. They are safe.
The good news is that help is starting to reach the needy. Campaign hospitals have been set in several places. Several countries have helped us with what we need. Bolivia sent tons of water, the US brought 25 satellite phones to reach far places, other countries sent campaign hospitals, water and food rations. Rusia, China, Venezuela, so many countries have offered help.
We are going to collect money ourselves as we do every year. Many of you know Don Francisco from the TV. He is chilean and for many years he has made a "Teleton" for the handicapped. Now our country is handicapped and he´ll do the same.
I don´t have much, but I´m planning to give all I earn in a week´s online work.
If any of you want to know more, I will be writing here how things are getting on. Anything you want to know, I´ll try to answer.
Thank all mylot friends for caring!
5 people like this
16 responses
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
I know, dear. I feel like you do. We are a lot more prepared for this kind of things than other countries. I have answered in some posts here that Haiti needs help from other countries much more than us, even though Haiti´s earthquake was smaller.
In this right moment the government has set up places to bring certain things we can donate. Its not just anything: there´s a list of things that are needed.
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
It IS worse. But we can do it. We have done it before, we´ll do it now. Im afraid there are still people with not enough food though. This coordination is difficult.
Take care.
3 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
5 Mar 10
Was the new one anywhere close to you. There was a report about the time you posted this of another one, a 6.3. I hope all is well.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
That one was nothing compared to the other one.
. In Chile we are used to earthquakes from 5 to 6 Richter. Noone stops doing what they are doing. Probably we will comment: "that one was big". And then, out of curiosity, put the radio to see where was the epicentre and the grade Richter in Santiago.
The Mercalli grading has to do with the damages. In that sense, Haiti s earthquake was big in Mercalli scale because it is a poor country and not prepared for this.
The first quake was 8 or more in Richter in Santiago. Only 3 or 4 buildings had problems. And all of them were made by the same company. Owner will sue them.
Mi house was built by my husband. No common earthquake will make it fall.
. In Chile we are used to earthquakes from 5 to 6 Richter. Noone stops doing what they are doing. Probably we will comment: "that one was big". And then, out of curiosity, put the radio to see where was the epicentre and the grade Richter in Santiago.
The Mercalli grading has to do with the damages. In that sense, Haiti s earthquake was big in Mercalli scale because it is a poor country and not prepared for this.
The first quake was 8 or more in Richter in Santiago. Only 3 or 4 buildings had problems. And all of them were made by the same company. Owner will sue them.
Mi house was built by my husband. No common earthquake will make it fall.1 person likes this
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
5 Mar 10
hello marguicha.nice to hear that your condition is fine.that make all of your mylot friends here is happy because when the day come, everyone here asked your condition and worry about you. we are sad about the impact of the earthquake but i do hope it can motivate all chile people to work harder and harder to re build your country.
regards from indonesia
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Thank you adhyz. This is not the first time something like this happens and I´m sure it won´t be the last. We are in a part of the planet where one tectonic plaque (Nazca) gets under another. That explains our earthquakes and the volcano eruptions. We will rebuild.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Gracias, alilin. We´ll get over this, but it is going to be difficult. It is quaking still. Every couple of hours I run down to the garden even though I should know that nothing will happen.
Cariños!
2 people like this
@keisey (181)
• Philippines
5 Mar 10
Good thing you are safe. I will pray for the fast rehabilitation of your country. Getting through all of this is not easy, I know and I salute people like you who are very willing to help others even if you need help yourself. I really hope that things like this will stop happening, although I know that it won't be possible... keep safe!
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
I dont need much help myself, keisey. That is, I need help as everyone in the word does. And I have it. The earth quakes in my country but I have a solid floor of friendship and love and have always had it.
Chile is a country with earthquakes and will allways be. Its the same as other countries who have hurricanes, tornados, blizards and floods. This one was big. I hope it will help us bring out our generosity.
Thanks for your wishes. Take care!
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
Thanks, msfrancisco. Everywhere I go, I see people saying we have the strenght to overcome this. I know we will.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
5 Mar 10
Hi Ulat,
Welcome top mylot.
Marguicha is a strong person and she will handle this and still give her countrymen support and inspiration. Let's continue praying for her, her family and Chile as a whole. Have a peaceful weekend!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Mar 10
Good morning Marg, was glad to see ur update. I'm glad help is coming in. I'm so thankful u are alright & that your home was not damaged. I'm sorry your friend had trouble. glad she is alright tho. I love glassware being an old antique dealer & I KNOW IT'S NOT AN IMPORTANT THING COMPARED TO HER LIFE ETC. BUT HATED TO HEAR IT GOT BROKEN. iT WOULD BE NICE IF ALL US MYLOTTERS WOULD TAKE ONE NEEDY FAMILY THAT U KNOW OF & TAKE UP MONEY FOR THEM. ANY IDEAS? take care of yourself. love & hugs, jo
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Mar 10
Thanks for letting me know. I like to do something straight to a person that needs it. So many times i feel the victims of a disaster like y'all have had don't get the benefit of what is sent to them. I know when katrina hit new orleans they showed on the news one night a big room of things that had been sent to help & they were just thrown in there carelessly & had never been given to the needy. That just got my goat.
it would be wonderful if u could take a girl in, She could be of help to u to getting over your surgery. I know u dread it & i dread it for u. do u have my e-mail address? if u don't i will pm it to u. would like to hear from u as soon as possible after your surgery. Take care. big hugs.
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
That´s what happens when theres no organization, Jo. I felt very proud of my President when she told everybody (including the countries who wanted to help) that she would make a list of what was needed. Maybe it sounds ridiculous that she only asked (and got) 25 satellite phones from the US. But that was what we needed. That meant that the governmental agency in charge would have contact with isolated communities.
We have been asked to donate, but within a list. NO CLOTHES AT ALL! But diapers are needed, and toothpaste and other things that maybe we would not think of.
I dont have your e mail address and I was thiking of that just today. A friend of mine sent me a funny thing that I know you would love.I had to send the end of the e mail to a friend. Im copy-pasting it to you:
Handle every stressful situation like a dog.
Pee on it and walk away
Isnt it beautiful?
Im not that afraid of the surgery. I talked with the doctor and told me they´d make just 3 very small holes. Thell keep me at the hospital for 2 o3 days because they´ll do harsh exersises to my poor shoulder afterwards and they´ll put local anesthesia so it will not hurt. Then he told me I could later do anything but take suitcases from the upper part of the closet.. I wasn´t planning to do that anyway.
Please PM me your address. Ill do the same with mine.
Im not that afraid of the surgery. I talked with the doctor and told me they´d make just 3 very small holes. Thell keep me at the hospital for 2 o3 days because they´ll do harsh exersises to my poor shoulder afterwards and they´ll put local anesthesia so it will not hurt. Then he told me I could later do anything but take suitcases from the upper part of the closet.. I wasn´t planning to do that anyway.
Please PM me your address. Ill do the same with mine.1 person likes this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Hi Jo,
It´s SO sweet of you trying to help! The people I know closely don´t need help. That is, not with money. This weekend, Ill go with Dixie to see houses and apartments so she can move. They are the ones that took me to that boat trip.
I´ll check later if there´s an international account where people can put some money. I think a lot could be done if each person put a dollar (not more).
There´s a chilean television man, Don Francisco, that comes every year to do a teleton (a show that is on about a day) for the handicapped. He began it years ago, taking the idea, I think, from Sammy Davis Jr.
Everyone put money and the small children raised funds by placing the smallest coins in piggybanks. Now, the Foundation has several hospital from north to south of Chile and there is also more knowledge of the needs of these people.
He is coming (he lives in the US now) to do something like that for Chile. I don´t know when that will be, but I´ll put a week´s online earning as my help. I wish I could bring a homeless girl to by at my home and study here while things get better. But that is not so easy. It has to be done through the proper channels.
I was going to have my shoulder surgery last Tuesday but postponed it for a week. So don´t worry if I´m not here for about a week after next Tuesday. It´s just that the´ll be taking my arm off.
A big HUG!
A big HUG!1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
5 Mar 10
Thank you for the update marguicha. 802 is a lot of lives that have been lost and I feel so very sorry for those people and their families. You all have a long and difficult road ahead of you to rebuild and get on with life. I am so glad that you and yours are okay. It sounds as though you are getting a lot of help and that is great but I suppose during disasters like this one it is probably never enough. My prayers are still with you and everyone affected by these earthquakes. Take care...
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
The government says it will take from 3 to 4 years to rebuild what was lost. It will be difficult but we have done it before. The last news I had were that we are asked to donate in certain sites. Theres a list of needed things: its not a matter of taking our junk there. Ill take oil and toothpaste to the site nearest my house. We can do it if we all help.
Thanks for your prayers.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
5 Mar 10
Hi Marguicha! I'm so thankful for your updates, and it's also good to hear that things are settling down and that aid is arriving. I will continue to pray for your continued safety, the recovery and rebuilding efforts of Chile, and the souls of those whose lives were lost. Hugs girlfriend!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Hugs to you too, catla! It´s so nice to have this comunity of nice people. No wonder mylot is adictive, with people like you.
2 people like this
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
5 Mar 10
Hi Marguicha,
I thank you for taking the time to update us about your situation there in Chile. Me and my family continue to pray for all of you and that you be safe. i thank god that you and your family are safe. hugs to you my friend!@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
Thanks for your prayers. friend. They are welcomed and needed.
1 person likes this
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
7 Mar 10
all the time friend. we will always be here for you. through the wings of prayers our love and support be with you!
@allknowing (138207)
• India
5 Mar 10
It seems the world has to accept this kind of a situation as a normal phenomena if one were to take an account of the disasters around. Sadly there is absolutely no warning and one has to get on with life. What can anyone do anyway. Glad to know that you are well and the city is limping back to normalcy. Everyone rallies round and that is something nice about people around the world.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Since always there have been earthquakes in Chile. In that sense, it is normal. We have to learn to deal with them but also we, the people of this Earth, should learn to give each other a hand instead of making wars a normal phenomena too.
Take care!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (138207)
• India
5 Mar 10
What is it that countries get prompted to fight wars sometimes baffles me. Looking at individuals and it is individuals that make this world all would want to live in peace and they do have friendly interactions most of the time.
2 people like this
@lipstick2009 (1236)
• Philippines
5 Mar 10
Hi Marguicha..all of us here i'm sure are praying for you and your fellow countrymen.
And we hope that someday everything will be better and that everyone can just look back in despair but still with the fighting spirit to go on .
Just know please that i'm one of your friends here who would be looking forward to some good news from you and we will be happy to know that all of you there are recovering.
God bless my dear.
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
6 Mar 10
Thanks! Prayers are allways needed and allways welcomed. We´ll get over this one. Its not our first earquake and it won´t be the last.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
5 Mar 10
We are glad you are safe as far as we concern. I hope that everyone get their help as soon as possible. So, I heard there were riot in Chile, people robbing the store, and sabotage the public places. Is that a truth too?
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
5 Mar 10
Unfortunatly, that was also true. It seems that some people, under special conditions, return to the beast. It reminds me of the stories one has heard about wars and the raping of women afterwards.
The president had to put military in charge of the places where that has happened.
1 person likes this
@summer77 (414)
• Philippines
5 Mar 10
Hello! I didn't know you are from chile. I'm not that updated about the earthquake, but I wonder if all areas of chile were affected by that earthquake and how about you? Was you area got affected too? If you don't mind.
I really really hope and pray that everyone of you there will be okay and be able to recover and may more help come to you. I would try to help using online sources in any way I can. There are campaigns in the internet and just by participating, we can help already even in a small way.
By the way I heard in the news awhile ago, correct me if I'm mistaken, there was a big wave that hit Chile and one ship was stroke by that big sea wave??? How was that? What happened to the people on that ship?
The phenomenons have awaken everyone, from what happened to Haiti and then to Chile and then Taiwan. Prayers would really help and we learn from the phenomenons to have earthquake safety drills here in our country.
We also experience earthquakes in some areas of the Philippines but are in low intensity. Here in my place, we haven't experienced it yet. There is a study and speculation that by any chance there will be a tectonic plate movements in targeted delicate areas, a great intensity would strike the Philippines and other countries belongs to the pacific ring of fire are said to mostly experience earthquakes.
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
7 Mar 10
Hi summer,
I have been posting news from chile since the earquake hit us. It was the 5th biggest ever recorded in the world. I don´t want to write down again everything so why doný you go to my profile and check on my latest posts. I have made one or 2 posts a day and they are all related with this disaster as it´s all I can think about now.
In my last post I put a link for people who wanted to help (a friend of mine who is poor sent $1 but that is also help). Another mylot said that that was begging.
We had a telethon yoday called Chile helps Chile. We got twice as much as the inicial goal.
We´ll get there.
We´ll get there.
@Hvaniday1 (550)
• Malaysia
5 Mar 10
Hi Marguicha, nice to hear that. When you got back your communications? I heard everything was down and need a quick aid.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
5 Mar 10
Hi marguicha! I'm so glad to hear from you and know that you, your family, and friend were spared. God was with youall. I think it's so sad for the others in your country who lost their lives, their homes, and were injured, though. I've been praying for you. I'm also glad that youall are getting help from the U.S. and other countries. I know it's going to take a long time to rebuild your country but just remember that material things can be replaced. Human lives can't. That's what someone once told me when our house was robbed several years ago. I'm just so thankful my parents and I weren't at home at the time. We had everything replaced, though. Just think about what happened to Job in the bible. He lost everything he had yet he had a lot of patience. I really do like your attitude where you say you've been through it before and you can rebuild your country again. Please know that I'm going to continue to pray for you and yes, keep us updated about how things are going.
Kathy.
Kathy.