On Wednesday, November 7th, a powerful earthquake struck the southwest region of Guatemala, affecting over 1.2 million people. The earthquake was of 7.4 magnitude on the Richter scale. It killed dozens of individuals (including an entire family of 10), and has injured scores of others. The effect was felt from El Salvador to Mexico City.
11:39AM EST November 8. 2012 -
“Guatemalans fearing aftershocks huddled in the dark and frigid streets of this mountain town wrapped in blankets early Thursday, while others crowded inside its hospital, the only building left with electricity after a powerful earthquake killed at least 48 people and left dozens more missing.
In the town of San Cristobal Cochu, firefighters picked at a collapsed house trying to dig out 10 members of one family, including a 4-year-old child, who were buried…” - USA Today -
At the time the earthquake struck, twenty-three students from the University of Mary were volunteering with The GOD’S CHILD Project and assembling wheelchairs in Guatemala. “The walls began to shake,” said one volunteer. “The ground rolled and roof tiles began to fall. Some people screamed. Everyone ran outside.”
The quake struck at 10:57am and damaged or destroyed 2.3 million homes. It displaced thousands; the number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
“It is likely The GOD’S CHILD Project will reassign us for the rest of our time here,” said another U of M volunteer. “I wish we were staying longer. They really need us right now.”
We need your help. The people of Guatemala need your help. The GOD’S CHILD Project has mobilized to help displaced earthquake victims by providing them with food, clothing, and a safe place to stay. In the long run, we also need to support these communities in their struggle to rebuild. Patrick Atkinson, Founder of The GOD’S CHILD Project, says:
“In The GOD’S CHILD Project, our job is to care for and educate orphaned and abandoned children. We also assist widowed and abandoned mothers and their dependents, but the work ends up being much more than that.
“When we least expect it, God and the poor come to us and say ‘help’. We need to do the best we can.”
We need your help with this specific emergency effort.
Please give a dedicated gift online right now at www.godschild.org/donate. You can also find updates and photos posted on www.godschild.org.
Or make an immediate automatic $10 donation from your cellphone by texting “BeAHero” to 80888.
For further information about the condition of the children in The GOD’S CHILD Project Guatemala, or to donate by phone, call (701) 255-7956 or toll free 888-BeA-Hero (888-232-4376).
Finally, contributions to support this urgent appeal may be sent to The GOD’S CHILD Project, P.O. Box 1573, Bismarck, ND, 58502. Please designate: Guatemala Earthquake.
However you chose to help, THANK YOU for being there in this time of unanticipated but critical emergency need.
Nathan Powell
ITEMP Operations Director
The GOD’S CHILD Project