I moved with one of my best friend's to Chile last month, not entirely sure of how long we'd stay. We knew almost nothing of Chile except that a lot of good wine, produce and sea bass came from this skinny South American country, but after being here for a short month we've come to consider Chile our new home.The people here have a warmness and kindness that seems universal and it was easy to make a comfortable home in this strange new place.
When Saturday's quake struck, my roommate, Aneya and I were in our apartment sleeping safe from so much of the chaos that struck other regions of this country. Much of Chile has been devastated by the earthquake near Concepcion, and the Chilean government has been reluctant to accept foreign aid from other countries.
However, private NGOs like Habitat for Humanity and WorldVision are stepping up to the plate, and will be working in the next few months to recreate cities that had been destroyed by the 8.8 earthquake and following tsunamis.
To help, you can text "CHILE" to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity.
-- Lauren Williams
Photo credit: Near a metro station in Santiago, students posted "Stregnth, Chile!" posters.
