Friday, June 11, 2010

Washed Away: It is not over yet

Hit by hurricane Agatha, Guatemala is in the recovery period. But for some, who almost lost everything but their lives, recovery seems to be taking longer.

Staff of La Casa de Cursillo is distributing the lunch to the Pineda family on a Saturday afternoon. The Pineda family also lost everything they had, including their jobs at the flood. During the day, while Lucia Pineda is taking care of his daughter, Jessica's two infants as well as Jessica's three younger siblings, while sJessica Jasmin Salome Pineda is going back to their house to clean it up.
Fabricio Moralez, 21, receiving the lunch brought by Escuelas Abiertas, was an audio and illumination technician, before hurricane Agatha washed away his life. After he lost his job, his belongings, and his house during the flood, caused by the first tropical storm of the year, Fabricio came to the provisional home with 3-months pregnant wife, Mari Carmen and his mother, Juana Moralez, that was opened at Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Commerciales (ENCO) in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Later in the week, one night, with 11 other people, they were evacuated from ENCO and placed at La Casa de Cursillo, which is across the street from ENCO. Fabricio thinks that they will have to start from zero. Not knowing what they would the after being evacuated from La Casa de Cursillo in a week, too, he is looking for a job during the day, while his wife and his mother are looking for a place for them to live. Fabricio said he is embarrassed to ask for or receive help. He wants to be able to support his family without receiving any help again.
(From left to right) Delmiz Pineda, 9, Toni Pineda, 3, Monica Pineda, 12, and Karla Lucia Pineda, 10-months-old are having their lunch from the same instant soup cup. Delmiz and Monica are sisters and they are taking care of their niece and nephew, as well as trying to feed themselves.
(From left to right)Toni Pineda, 3, Delmiz Pineda, 9, Monica Pineda, 12, and Karla Lucia Pineda, 3-months-old are spending time together after their lunch from the same instant soup cup.
Julio Guillermo Madonado, 46, is reading a book about Jesus's life. He said he likes to read a lot, but there is not much literature available for him to read at La Casa de Cursillo. He used to work in the construction business. After he left his house due to flood, somebody broke into his house and stole everything he owned. He is thankful to God for his survival. He had fractured his leg before this disaster. Guillermo thinks that he can look for a job again after his cast taken off.
Encarnacion Salinas, 39, is returning from getting things for his mother, who is at the hospital. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Encarnacion and his mother had come to Guatemala about 45 days before the disaster for the treatment of his mother on her respiratory tract disease. They prefered Guatemala because of a financial reason. Before the disaster, Encarnacion was staying with his friend, Julio Guillermo Madonado. According to Guatemalan doctors, there is no hope for his mother and this upsets him very much. However, he said that he trusts God that he will help his mother.
Encarnacion Salinas, 39, is returning from getting things for his mother, who is at the hospital. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Encarnacion and his mother had come to Guatemala about 45 days before the disaster for the treatment of his mother on her respiratory tract disease. They prefered Guatemala because of a financial reason. Before the disaster, Encarnacion was staying with his friend, Julio Guillermo Madonado. According to Guatemalan doctors, there is no hope for his mother and this upsets him very much. However, he said that he trusts God that he will help his mother.
Encarnacion Salinas, 39, is showing clothes and bread that he got for his mother, who is at the hospital.
Lucia Pineda, 50, is playing with her granddaughter, Karla Lucia, 10-month old, while her mother Jennifer is back at their house to clean it up.
(From left to right) Jorge Gonzales, 45, Farbricio Moralez, 21, Toni Pineda, 3, Lucia Pineda, 50, Mari Carmen, 23, are waiting for the negotiations with the officals of Quetzaltenango government for their new temporary residence.
The staff of La Casa de Cursillo washed the clothes of 10-month old Karla Lucia and 3-year old Toni for the Pineda family as their clean clothing need is more urgent than adults. Lucia hanged the clean clothes for air drying in the large garden of La Casa de Cursillo.
On June 10, Encarnacion Salinas, 39 and Lucia Pineda, 50, were waiting for their evacuation from La Casa de Cursillo.
Manuel Coyoy, 65, and Mari Carmen, 23, stayed at the catholic church within La Casa de Cursillo, after they all prayed and thanked God for the new temporary residence they were given.
Seventeen victims of hurricane Agatha were evacuated from La Casa de Cursillo and transfered to another temporary residence on June 10 for another fifteen days. They are waiting for them to be assigned to their new rooms.
Jennifer Pineda, 20, is breast feeding her daughter Karla Lucia at their new temporary residence.

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