News

It’s done – construction work finished – Thanks

May 28, 2010

It’s done, two days ago, the construction team of the master builder Oscar finished successfully the work at the last building site. The two strongly damaged external walls are now completely rebuilt. Don Luis and his wife are very happy, they don’t stop thanking us for the help. The family is now constructing itself the fitting of door and windows. They expect to finish the work this weekend, so the family can finally move in their own house.

So, our construction work has now finished – time to thank to all of you. A very special thank from the whole vivest-team to all members of this project, the donators, the helpers as well as the construction teams. All of them have essentially participated to the success of this project by their way. A big thank you from all of us and all families, which received help, they needed so much. Dear donators, with the amount of about EUR 14’000.- you have really surprised us. We have never expected such a support. Thank you for this great surprise!. These donations allowed us to build 8 emergency accomodations, known as our “media aguas modulares”, the reconstruction of 5 strong-damaged houses as well as further help, f.e. distribution of foil.

All families were very very happy about the help, which is for each of them a first and important step back to normal life. Many of the families started now with new energy and are now developing their accommodation – installing timber flooring or casting concrete flooring, installing electric power and / or weatherizing the outdoor walls.

Once again, sincere thanks for the generous support.
Your vivest-team

Weekly report

May 17, 2010

The last week ended already a little bit calmer, even though we have not been inactive. The remaining foil, about 15 meters, we delivered to the family Gonzalez, who was very pleased about it. Finally they can protect more efficiently their provisionary accommodation from rain and wind.
The construction-team of Oscar has finished in the meantime the basement for the second wall at the house of the family Luis. In the next few days, they will continue the construction of the wall.
Last Saturday we had a presentation at the centre of neighbourhood about our modular house construction and the associated experiences. The presentation included a few pictures of the several building phases, design drawings as well as a list of needed material. The ulterior motive was, to show alternatives to families, which have not yet received any help from the government, but which are in some funds, how they can build with a little money, a simple but stable, weatherproof and expandable accommodation.
With immediate effect the presentation is available for download (PDF) on our website, including the contact details of the two construction teams, we worked together very well by constructing the houses. It would give us great pleasure, to help indirectly in this way to one or the other family.

First wall finished, remaining material distributed to the families in need

May 09, 2010

Four days ago, the master builder Oscar finished together with his assistants he first wall at the family of Don Luis. Until this afternoon the family, together with the help of neighbours, braced up the roof on the front side of the house and removed completely the heavy damaged wall, so that the reconstruction of the second wall can start next week. Everything is going right, Don Oscar and his team is working well and trustworthy.

Our stock of material is quite empty. This week we distributed the remaining material from our house constructions, amongst others 5 wooden poles, 5 roof beams, wooden blocks and offcuts of OSB-boards, to two families.
One of the family is an elder couple, which received an emergency accommodation from the government, but they never occupied it, because the weather resistance was not secured. With our remaining material, a neighbour of the couple will upgrade the accommodation.
The second family, the family Gonzales has constructed with foil and different wood leftovers a very simple emergency accommodation, but there was not enough space for all family members. Next week, we will hand over our remaining foil to this family, which can use it very well.

Visit from the press

May 03, 2010

El Centro was quick, already today the article to our relief action was on pages 2 + 3 of the newspaper, header: “La alternativa alemana a la tradicional mediagua” (The german alternative to the usual emergency accommodation). Background: The Chilean State is offering emergency accommodations (easiest wood construction, size about 18 sqm) to poor families. Due to the constructional structure, these houses are quasi not extendible and some are delivered in bad quality, so the weather resistance is not guaranteed. Another problem is, that these emergency accommodations are, even two months after the earthquake, real scare goods. In our surrounding areas, for example, not even one of these emergency accomodation has been delivered from the Chilean State.

Our solution means: modular construction with wood poles and OSB-boards, so we can aligne the size of the accommodation to the size of the family (for a family of six, we calculate about 32 sqm) and a later extension is always possible with a minimum of effort.
Due to the article in the newspaper, today we also had visit from the national television (TVN). Though, the following TV report, which will be send tonight in the evening news at 9.30 p.m.: ”Alemanes desarrollaron mediaguas vip para damnificados por el terremoto” – German were developping emergency accommodations “Vip” for the victims of the earthquake ( Download wmv-file ).

House 08 completed, first wall bricked, interview with El Centro

May 02, 2010

Today the work continued on two construction sites at the same time. The construction team “José” has built successfully the final house 08 for the Barrios-family, in as usual good quality. In the meantime, the construction team “Oscar” has, not less hardworking, bricked completely up the first wall – 7m x 2,20m – at the famiily of Luis Ferira. It went like clockwork. This evening we sayed goodbye to José and his team, but for sure, it was not our last construction, we made together with them. We are very happy with the functioning of this team.

At midday, we had an appointment with a journalist and a photographer of the biggest regional daily newspaper “El Centro”. Together with them we visited both construction sites as well as three already finished house constructions. Soon we will read in the newspaper about our relief action – we are curious.

OSB bought – start of construction for Sunday assured

April 29, 2010

Today, we have already measured the construction site for house 08 of the Barrios-family. The construction should start on Sunday, the construction team “José” is already informed. For us it’s high time to buy the missing material. At the third attempt we were lucky and could buy in one of the two building supplies store in Talca 10 OSB-boards and 25 wooden slats as well as one window and one door. Especially OSB-boards are always sold out within a few hours after receipt of goods.
Today, we also visited the Berrios-family at house 05 and we were very surprised about the progress. The family has already covered the weather side of the house with roofing fabric and with Eternit-boards, which the received as a gift from a school in Talca, where Guillermo Berrios is working as a caretaker (at minimum wage). Actually they are constructing a wooden floor and a small bathroom is projected. In about two weeks everything should be finished and a little housewarming party will be arranged.

All smiles, new family

April 25, 2010

Today we were invited by Nelson, the president of the neighbourhood association to an Empanada-meal and a glass of beer. He cordially thanked us and all donators for the help in their community.

Then we visited together with him all the families, which we already helped. We wanted to know, how the actual situation is. The house of the family Ricardo is already painted with strong blue colour. The family Aravena gave us a warm welcome, they were just arranging the houses with the beds and the few belongings. Last night, the temperature was very cold, about 1 °C, so they are very happy, that they don’t have to sleep another night in tents. The day before, they already installed electricity, there is even a lamp outside the house.

Also, we visited this afternoon together with Nelson, a family of four with a baby. The house where they lived, has been destroyed. They constructed a basic dwelling, far from being weather-proof. In the evening we decide, we will build house 08 for this family.

Basement casted

April 24, 2010

Yesterday we delivered the necessary material to the construction site of the family Luis – cement and different reinforcing steel – part one of the reconstruction of the collapsed adobe-wall.

Our construction team “Oscar” (our second construction team) arrived this morning, as arranged, with 2 men. With the help of the family and a neighbour they already finished the casting of the basement in the early afternoon. Now, the basement has to harden for about one week before the further work can be started.

House no. 7 completed

April 22, 2010

It is done, the house number 7 is completed. The construction team was working once again good and efficiently. Ricardo’s family can not believe, that their new house has been built within 2 days. Finally they can move in their own house. They lived since the earthquake on confined space in a welfare institution.
Now, we have still material for on house on stock. The eighth house will be for now our last house construction within our relief action. The decision, for which family we will build this house, is not yet made.

Handing over – construction site 06 / house construction 07

April 21, 2010

After two more working days on construction site 06, we could finish the works on the new house as well as on the reconstruction of the second hard damaged house of the family Aravena. With a farewell kiss and many thanks the grandmother and her family said good-bye to us. They will paint their houses and install windows and doors on the repaired house on their own.

Today we have also prepared the construction site 07. All had to be done very quickly, because only today, we received the information, that the construction team could work for us tomorrow. In the morning, we bought the missing material (zinc plates), at midday we measured the construction site and organised help, in the afternoon a short meating with the building-professionals and in the evening, we transported all material and tools to the site. The family and many other people excavated the necessary holes, totally 14, each one 80 cm deep, they finished in the late evening, so we can start tomorrow morning with the construction.

We realize that, the organisation, buying material and the construction of the houses is in the mean time much more efficiently than at the beginning of our activities: we are a well-rehearsed team.

Full speed ahead until weather resistance

April 18, 2010

The construction team arrived today even with 7 workers, and also the neighbourly-help is excellent in San Valentin, so we come along with totally 11 workers very fast. The women of the family's look to our physical well-being, with a Cazuela (chilean stew) and fresh baked bread.

We are working on the construction of the new house and at the same time on the re-construction of the damaged house. At the end of the day, the two houses are at least rain-resistant and the families can store their belongings.

Measure, perfectly prepared

April 17, 2010

The family Aravena at construction site 06 has been hard-working the last few days, all were working until late in the evenings, including the 77 year old grandmother. They realized more than we expected. There is nothing to see from the old house and the construction site is ready. We can start with the measuring of the new house, during the day, the family is excavating the holes. All preparing work is done and the construction team can start tomorrow at 7.00 a.m. with the construction.

Rain, little gesture with great effect, Adobe & Co, construction site 06

April 16, 2010

Today, for the first time it was raining very hard. Thankfully, yesterday we could hand over the finished houses 03 + 04 to their families. How grateful the two families are, we could realize this evening. Don Juan (house 04), who is normally very reserved, is thanking us with heart-warming words, telling stories from his life and assuring help, when ever we will need. One of the sons of Don Patricio (house 03) is asking us, if we like bread, after confirming, he is handing over us a large bag with self-backed bread from his father – un regalo para ustedes – a gift for you – now we are really touched.

In the afternoon, we are handing over to the family Rojas, material for the reconstruction of their damaged house: 1000 adobe bricks, 5 cement bags and sand, wire and netting wire. The “maestros” of the family already started working.
Until 10.30 p.m. we are delivering all the necessary material and tools to the construction site 06 for the building of house 06 and the reparation of the second house of the family.

Handing over houses 03 + 04 – finally, last action day

April 15, 2010

After a not always easy going time of construction, today it is finally done – in the evening we can hand over the fully-constructed houses to the two families of Don Patricio and Don Juan. The families and we are very happy about that. The new construction team with 3 workers has kept its word and arrived in the morning on time, they worked hard and kept the operating schedule 100 %. What an advantage for us, we can continue faster and plan our further works parallel with two construction teams.

At the same time we profited today from the last “10%-discount-hour” at the building supplies store SODIMAC (since the earthquake they offered a 10 % discount, today is the final day). We bought two doors for the construction sites 03 + 04, tools like screws, color, gloves and painting-material. Also we added our material stock with 50 kg foil and 40 spiles.

Our todays-expenses are about EUR 1,040.

Construction site 04 completely roofed, new plans

April 14, 2010

Finally it is time, with the help of the two european volunteers, we can finish the roof construction at construction site 04 in the afternoon. There is only the doors, windows and a few elements of reinforcement missing on the two houses of construction site 03 + 04. In the evening we are planing this works with the new chief and his construction team. They accept to come tomorrow morning.
In the morning we plan the procedure in San Valentin. We decide to help first to the family Aravena with 11 people. One of their house has collapsed completely and another one partially. The family is living actually in tents and in the third house on confined space. On Saturday, the six workers together with the family and neighbours will start the construction of the new house and the extensive reparation of the other house. We also plan further help in San Valentin: Building of a new house for the family Ricardo (7 people), reconstruction of two walls as well as the support structure of a roof construction of a wooden house, which is dangerously instable after the earthquake.

Families in San Valentin, interview for Sweden

April 13, 2010

Together with Julia, a friendly psychologist, we are visiting families, hardly affected by the earthquake in the quarter “San Valentin”. Julia is offering, as a volunteer, psychological assistance and she already has intense contacts with many families and so she knows, where help is really needed. After our tour we know, that it is in San Valentin, where we want to help next, we just have to decide how and in which order.

In the evening, we give an interview to a swedish journalist, she want’s to write about our actual relief project and vivest group.

Endless work, construction site 03 + 04, courage to color

April 12, 2010

The day starts at 8.30 a.m. with a chief-worker who does not arrive and so stops again the plans to finish the construction of the houses of Don Patricio’s family. The roof construction has to be finished urgently because each day can be the first rainy day. That’s why, David and Christoph are working this afternoon as chief-workers and they are working until nightfall. With the help of the mens of the family, they advance quite well but there must follow another working day to finish the construction.
In the afternoon two other volunteers are ariving, a swedish journalist and a spanish women. Together with the children of the family Berrios, they are painting the house with strong sky-blue color.

House 05 – construction team in action

April 11, 2010

At 8.00 a.m. the construction team of 4 men is arriving at the construction site of the Berrios-family and they start working without delay. They aresawing, hammering and screwing without break until nightfall, about 7.30 p.m.. At the end of the day, the result of the intense work is clearly visible, the Berrios-family is very impressed and happy. The house is ready, the next few days they just have to install windows and the door, make the paint-finish outside and fix the basement around the house. We will report later...

Lucky again

April 10, 2010

Actual balance of donations: EUR 12,140.15
Once again we spent the day by fighting for material.. Talca only has 2 large building supplies stores and since days, or rather weeks they suffer of shortage of material. Amongst other things, we have great difficulties to get OSB-panels and boards of the needed size, two main materials of our house construction. But today we were lucky, in store number 2 we can buy 1,5 of 4 just available OSB-panels, different boards, sticks and rectangular blocks of wood. So we are equiped with material for the actual construction site of the Berrios-family as well as for three more houses.
In the evening, we try to buy handmade adobe-bricks, but without success. Always we get the same answer, that we should ask again in about one week. Okay, so we have to wait and hope ... otherwise there is only the option to buy more expensive hart-fire-bricks at the building supplies store.

Our stock of material is well restocked, the todays-expenses amount to approx. EUR 1,800.

Everything is set for the site family Berrios, walls in need of repair

April 9, 2010

Everything is set for the site family Berrios, the holes are excavated and all material needed has been delivered. Tomorrow or on Sunday the construction work will start with the aid of the construction team. On site 3+4 the family has performed the first paint coating. Here we still have to finish some construction details which is likely to happen on Monday.

Three days ago we visited family Rojas in Talca. Though their house is still standing one of the supporting walls has tumbled down and another one is heavily damaged. At present the roof is supported with some simple lumber. Our help will consist in material and part of the financing for a master builder to respectively rebuild and repair the walls.

In the meantime family Victor equipped the house with a door and windows, painted the floor and put in the first beds.

Big achievements

April 4, 2010

Out of consideration for the religious holiday we did not work on Good Friday. But we started working yesterday again with help of some good friends from Santiago who came to visit and helped hard during Saturday.

The same Saturday afternoon we managed to organize a construction team that started working on Sunday. They are used to work as a team so progress is fast and of good quality. They work so fast that we have to hurry with material supply. At the end of the day house 3 is almost ready and house 4 has already the entire panelling. It seems that we finally found the help we needed with this construction team. This will allow to work fast and adequate, winter is not far.

Handing over house 02, visiting family Berrios

March 31, 2010

Today we handed over the new house for Victor’s family. They will take care of a second paint layer and installation of doors and windows. They thanked us for the help and are very happy to face winter inside a house.

A social worker gave us some information regarding people in need and so we visited family Berrios in Talca. Their house was completely destroyed and the 6-member family is temporarily living with relatives. After this visit and a conversation together with the family and the social worker we know that we want to help. As soon as we are ready with houses 3 and 4 we will start with a new house for them. In the meantime they will level the ground.

Constructions 3 and 4 are not as advanced as we would like them to be, due to the fact that Victor, our construction master, does not have the time to take care of it. We will have to find somebody else very soon, a difficult task this times when construction workers are needed everywhere.

Adobe house repaired

March 28, 2010

Works on the adobe house of the Martinez family could be finished today. The construction was stabilized with steel rod mats in the corners (outside and inside) and the walls and roof were repaired. Also a side wall in the truss was repaired (with a cement asbestos panel donated from Foundation Trekkingchile). Finally after four weeks in a tent the family can go back to their house.

A very active day

March 27, 2010

Today we went to visit family Ramos who we constructed the first house for. 10 days after handing it over we wanted to take a look how they were doing and had solved the last construction details. They showed us everything very proud and with a big smile on their faces. After showing us the house we went straight to their neighbours who were preparing a barbeque in honour of all who helped construing the house. They thanked us and all people who donated money for the help.

At construction site 2, at Victor’s family, we managed to get a lot done with united force. Victor, head of the family and also a constructor, is fascinated with the construction that he finds very wise and stable. We will work together with him in the coming projects as it is indispensable to have direct and competent assistance for the construction advances and their organization on site.

Today we also started with the construction of houses 3 and 4 that are also in the neighbourhood. It is for a family of 12 and due to the number of the members we decided to build two houses on of 26 m2 and the other one of 32 m2. In the afternoon most of the holes were ready for the posts.

In the afternoon we also received information about the advances in the repair works for the adobe house of family “Carlos”, 37 km form Talca away. Work has been started and with 3 helpers Juan was able to get a lot done and he already needs more material. We organized delivery for the next day so they can go on working without delay. This was the last activity of a very eventful day. …

Organization of the new constructions

March 26, 2010

Besides taking care of the current construction of house 2, the past days we organized a lot for the coming construction of houses 3 and 4 and also for repairing the adobe house. We bought material and tools: 4 aluminium windows 1x1 m, OSB plates for the roof construction, wood-protection paint, wire mesh blankets and fastening material for the repair of the adobe house, an angle grinder with accessories and a bolt cutter. Expenses of the past days: 600 EUR.

The walls are installed

March 23, 2010

Today we received support from two volunteering Chilean students. With combined strengths we were able to assemble the walls today. The family is still working lighted by their flashlights.

The basic construction for the second house is ready

March 21, 2010

Current amount of donations: 9,255.15 EUR
The entire family, including women, was busy till yesterday removing the remains of their house. Saturday afternoon the site was cleared and we were able to start with the new construction. First we measured the exact positions of the piles and marked them. A total of 14 holes had to be dug, a really exhausting job, but we managed to be ready at midday. During this morning we prepared the piles for the mounting of the roof beams and impregnated the tiling battens. In the afternoon we met with the family on site and worked until evening. The result of today’s work is: all piles including the tiling battens are mounted. We are thrilled about the motivation of the entire team and how accurate everyone does his job.

Distribution of the membrane, construction market

March 19, 2010

Today we were with the help convoy in the region around the villages Name and distributed the membrane we bought two days ago. The people received it very gratefully.
Besides that we spent again some more time in the construction market. Until today all our electrical tools were borrowed from friends, but that was supportable long-term situation, at least not for the tools constantly needed on site. So we bought a small drilling machine that can also be used as screwdriver and a buzz saw – these are two indispensable basic tools for our house construction. Furthermore we bought a ladder, 6 roof beams, OSB panels and roofing cardboard for the roof construction of the next house as well as small stuff like power distribution, wood protecting agent, screws etc. Total spending approx. 555 EUR.

Preparation for house construction no. 2, conservation of adobe house

March 18, 2010

Preparations for the next construction start in our direct neighbourhood are in full swing. The helpers are organized and the family is already removing the remaining but destroyed parts of their house by themselves. Today we also visited together with a friendly architect and an adobe builder a further family who is still sleeping in a tent as they are afraid that the adobe house comes tumbling down on them. After an in-depth viewing we all agree that the house doesn’t have to be demolished and could be repaired within 14 days of work by the adobe builder and a further help. We are going to pay for material and the work of the adobe builder.

Organizational day, membrane acquisition

March 17, 2010

Current donations: 8,065 EUR
Today is the day of organizing. Amongst others we prepare the construction of the next house in our direct neighbourhood. Also, we buy seven rolls of strong membrane (each 4m wide x 75m long) for an aid convoy taking place March 19-20, organized by Trekkingchile Foundation und CODEFF (Chilean Organization for environment protection), to the rural surroundings of Talca. This will help about 70 families to protect their improvised shacks, tents and other belongings from wind and rain. Spendings therfore approx. 550 EUR.

Done

March 16, 2010

Thanks to the general great motivation we have made good progress with the construction of the first house in the past two days. Just the roof is missing and a part of the walls has to be closed at the head.
We planned well our material so only a few trivia like roofing cardboard, additional roof slats, nails etc had to be bought today.

The first building takes shape

March 15, 2010

Thanks to the general great motivation we have made good progress with the construction of the first house in the past two days. Just the roof is missing and a part of the walls has to be closed at the head.
We planned well our material so only a few trivia like roofing cardboard, additional roof slats, nails etc had to be bought today.

Let’s get started...

March 13, 2010

As planned today we started with the construction of the first house – result: all 12 piles are dug in the ground and partly the beams are already mounted on the piles. Family and helpers worked with great motivation and the women cooked for the construction squad. We also bought 60 slats for reinforcement and cover – today’s spending: approx. 50 EUR.

Material acquisition, preparations for construction start

March 12, 2010

Current amount of donations: 6,970 EUR
Another day buying construction material... today finally the zinc plates were delivered. We also bought 55 wooden piles as well as some basic tools like a handsaw, a drill, sawing blades, a level, etc. Tomorrow we want to begin with the first construction, so we also bought a little snack for the helping crew. Today’s spending is approx. 650 EUR.
We also printed the house construction plan and every construction operation. The pickup for transporting the material and the helping crew is organized – everything is ready for tomorrow’s construction start.

More tremors, more material

March 11, 2010

Current amount of donations: 6,020 EUR
More tremors, the hardest was during the morning with a magnitude of 7.2 and it was at the coast, at the height of Rancagua, approximately 135 km away from Talca. The tremors went on for the whole day with magnitudes from 5 – 6.9. We are fine, but many people’s nerves are at edge. Luckily the tsunami everyone feared didn’t occur.
As of today Sebastian, intern at mediaservice betty wander and currently on vacation, also works actively in the helping project. 106 OSB plates were delivered today and we bought additional screws, rectangular wood blocks, tarps to cover the material and paint – a total value of approx. 200 EUR. The zinc plates haven’t been delivered yet, we hope to have them tomorrow.

Purchase of material

March 10, 2010

Current calculation of donations: 3,520 EUR
Today we visited several places in Talca to make the first purchases of material. Fortunately prices were normal, contrary to reports and fears. We were very lucky and thanks to some tips we were able to purchase OSB and zing plates, which are scarce material these days. With a total amount of 2,200,000 CLP / 3,200 EUR we could buy plates of zinc and OSB, beams for roofing, planks of wood, screws, bolts, nails, painting (wood protection), brushes, and one iron saw. Al that totaled more than 6.3 tons of material. Part of that was delivered today and the rest will arrive tomorrow.

Visit to Homeless Families, Planning the construction

March 9, 2010

The donations have increased again: Today we have 2,200 EUR!
David, friend and colleague from vivest has joined the action: A major contribution! This morning and along with Trekkingchile Foundation and the President of the Neighbors Association (each neighborhood has one of these associations) we visited 12 families in the area to identify damages. In the afternoon we met and discussed about the families that really need from our help and how we can provide such help.
We developed the construction of a house which is very simple and that allows the refugees to first have a place where to spend winter and which can further be expanded or which material can be reused. We calculated the cost of material (at a normal price, but these prices might be more expensive now) – Results: With the current amount of donations we can buy material for four simple homes.

First donations and second exploration visit to Talca

March 8, 2010

Current amount of donations: 1,520 EUR
Today we received the first donations and the number is great! Many people have continue contacting us and we have replied to many e-mails. Today we have also received 6 offers to donate. In the afternoon we completed our second exploration visit in Talca. We will publish the pictures tomorrow. When we were returning we found the first family in the neighborhood whom we might be able to help

Confirmations of donations + the network is working

March 7, 2010

We have replied to many email messages and have received 6 donation confirmations. Our land line is working again.

Invitation to Donate

March 6, 2010

The first invitation to donate is posted in the homepage of www.vivest.net. A translator friend is translating the English and Spanish versions of the text. We continue to be asked about how to donate in a timely manner.

Change of Plans in Help

March 5, 2010

We received an email this morning from those who initiated private help transportation organized from Germany. Talca and Ourselves are out of the loop. Transportation initially considered the coastal area of Concepción and the initiators want it to continue to be that way. We accepted the allocation for the destination defined and we immediately started with private help with donations that we received personally. Along with other volunteers and directors of Trekkingchile Foundation we help collecting and packing the second shipment of help for the coast.

Knowing how to Coordinate is a Must

March 4, 2010

We are facing a hard coordination day with the Helping project from Germany.

Let it be Light, Organization of the Transportation of Help

March 3, 2010

We are back in line with electricity and the Internet. The land line continues to be without service. We received the first queries about private donations and we are invited to take parte in a privately organized transportation of help and assistance. We will be in charge of the coordination for Talca and we will undertake this distribution on site jointly with Trekkingchile Foundation.

The Water is here

March 2, 2010

We have fresh water again and we are sorting out the last of the mess at home and at the office.

Our friends are fine, Talca has been severely damaged, first shipment of help arrives.

March 1, 2010

Now we know that all of our friends are fine. Damages to their homes are limited. We went out to have a first glimpse of our city: the magnitude of the disaster is overwhelming. We took the first photographs for our gallery. The first shipment of immediate help organized by Trekkingchile Foundation arrives to the coastal area of the VII. Region of Maule.

Arriving to Talca

February 28, 2010

After an odyssey of two days travelling from the mountains, near the Lagoon of Maule, we finally arrived home. Mobile telephony has been operational in times and in a very limited way. There is no electric energy, fresh water or land line communications. The closer we are to Talca more shocking the disaster is. When we finally make it to San Clemente (30 Km East of Talca) we see houses without roofing and walls to the ground, the trees are broken or partially disheveled. Our house is in one piece in the outside, but there is chaos inside.

The Earth is moving

February 27, 2010

The earthquake woke us up all of a sudden where we are up in the high mountains, between the Lagoon of Maule and Melado valley. We have no communication and only after horse riding for 25 km. to a Carabineros post we are told the first and terrible news.