November 21, 2004                             .

 SOLIDARITY FOR CARTAGENA

All of Cartagena was moved by the wave of winter rains which turned into floods in early November, affecting around 80% of the population and leaving thousands of families with damage to property and life.  Our church, through the Jesus Foundation, made its presence felt in the poorest communities in the Ricaurte Sector, delivering love, groceries, clothing and mattresses. 

 CHRONICLE OF A GREAT RAINSTORM IN CARTAGENA

Ten days ago it rained for more than 20 hours in Cartagena.  The force of nature razed the humble dwellings (constructed of recycled materials, carton and plastic),  and possessions of the city’s poorest.  The Swamp of the Virgin overran its banks and in La Boquilla the sea isolated a number of streets. More than 14,000 victims waited for help. 

 Although the National Office of Disaster Attention and Prevention declared Cartagena and the seven affected departments of the Atlantic Coast and Santander a “Public Calamity” (similar to a “National Disaster” in the USA), allowing the mayors and governors of the seven departments affected by flooding to designate budget funds to meet the most important needs of those affected, government aid is never enough.  The victims speak of the donations being a palliative for the reality of their everyday needs and not just for this recent emergency.

Cartagena is increasing in population through the quantity of persons displaced by the violence and “invaders” who settle in high-risk zones like the slopes of the Hill of the Stern and the environs of the Cienaga de la Virgen, since they don’t have where to locate their dwellings and the options to obtain property are impossible for them.  The construction of decent dwellings in dry and secure sectors, will be a priority for the government, but there won’t be enough for all.

 As did many others, the Community of Faith and Love Church responded through the Jesus Foundation.

 On November 11^th, Pastor Ivan Sierra, accompanied by church leaders Alcira Gasca, Luis Muñoz and Rosario de Borda, went to inspect the disaster site, in the sector where families are found who are assisted by our Foundation.  They found houses flooded, where the water was up to the waist. 

 This team contacted the President of the Community Action Committee of the Ricaurte Sector – near the Swamp of the Virgin – to verify the condition of the families sponsored by the Jesus Foundation, and they found them in the San Felipe Nery school building which was serving as a shelter.

 There were about 200 people crowded into the school, counting adults and children.  Our families were identified.  The children were sleeping on the floor, there were pregnant women and those who had recently given birth, many children sick with flue, diarrhea, and they had not eaten or had eaten very little.  The men were watching over their few belongings in their flooded dwellings.

 The Dreams of Liberty Preschool directed by the Jesus Foundation did not suffer major damage, although flooded by the rains.

 The first step, then, was to make an inventory of the most urgent needs of the refugees, which were food, medicines, medical resources, mattresses, sheets and items for personal hygiene.

 That night the refugees in the shelter ate arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) donated by the Hotel Decameron, located in the heart of the international tourist section of Cartagena.

 Their faces were radiant, they looked satisfied and full, and received medical attention from Dr. Nelson Padilla (another church and foundation member), and medicines were handed out immediately.

 Next more requests for help were made and the following donations were obtained:

1. Proteccion, S.A., - US $840, converted into groceries for 133 families.
2. Algranel -  US $420, converted into groceries for 80 families.
3. CATNAVES, a multinational based in the US, donated US $210, converted into groceries for  35 families.
4. Hotel Decameron, arroz con pollo for 90 persons.
5. Employees of the Hotel Decameron donated US $63 in groceries and medicines.
6. From Canada, Rick and Clara Bonhomme sent US $168, used to purchase 12 mattresses and medicines.
7. From Canada, Luke and Claudia Houle sent US $42, used to purchase medicines
8. Hernan Restrepo and Co. – cups and other plastic utensils.
9. Richard Lorduy and other merchants of the Bazurto Market (the largest traditional open-air market in the city) – 3 boxes of panela (concentrated brown sugar).
10. Members and frieds of Christian Community of Faith and Love Church:  Money, groceries, clothing, blankets, sheets.

 OUTREACH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13-14, 2004

 On Saturday a team from the church and the Jesus Foundation went to reconnoiter the neighborhood and visited the families sponsored by the Foundation, and gave out groceries to these and other needy families.

 In the streets they saw mattresses and some furniture draining off water.  The children were naked or barefoot and played in the puddles, which favored the proliferation of skin infections and influenza.

 The team noted the ID numbers of the people who would be given groceries on Sunday, since not all the food items were handed out the same day, and coupons were given to the people to control the distribution.

 Some of the donors and representatives of the businesses which supported this effort accompanied the teams in food distribution those two days, including Ana Maria Daza, Carlos Delgadillo and Antonio Martinez.  (See photo “Pastor Ivan and Ana Maria Daza of Proteccion S.A.jpg)

 Many of the flood victims needed a message of hope and on this opportunity Oswald Guerra prepared a beautiful message which encouraged them to go forward hand in hand with God.  Martha Ardila and Maria Mercedes Espinosa presented dramas which made the distribution of donations a happy time.

 The Jesus Foundation will keep working with this community and needs more input and donations, which and be in money or species.

Photo taken by the El UNIVERSAL, our local newspaper, which reveals the magnitude of drama lived by sectors of Cartagena.

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