Chile Earthquake also Affects Relatives in USA

On February 28, one of the biggest earthquakes recorded in history hit central Chile. The 8.8 quake caused massive damage leaving many areas without electricity, water and phone lines.  As of today, the death toll recorded is over 700 lives.

Gloria G. Grabois, our Local Area Representative in Central New Jersey, is from Chile and has relatives and close friends in the country. She was kind enough to share her feelings about how this tragedy has affected her and her family and friends.

“My attention has been diverted this week due to the earthquake in Chile, where I am from, as only now, almost a week later I know that my family and friends are well although there are a handful of close friends that we are not able to contact, which I hope is due to technological issues only.  Although any loss of life is too much, the numbers are not what one would expect after such a catastrophic event.

My family suffered only the irrelevant material losses that can be easily replaced but, I think only in the last few days, the reality of this earthquake has really set in and they now realize the monumental rebuilding task that is ahead of them. From so far away, the feeling of impotence is paralyzing as for many days we had no way of communicating with our loved ones. But this is the age of communications and I am not a ‘technologically savvy person’ but I am now grateful for having Blackberries, Facebook and Skype, which were the only way to get some news.

Now, the task ahead is also the responsibility of us, the ones living abroad, to help our country in any way possible, especially the children who have experienced the magnitude of the unimaginable-- "the big one"-- and still, even now they live they young lives with tremors and aftershocks that almost reach earthquake levels.

I am deeply thankful for everyone who has expressed their concerns.  Chilean people are strong and it is their faith, grace and love for one another that will make them rebuild again."

Our condolences go out to all the Chilean people. We hope the rebuilding process goes smooth and those who still have not been able to contact their family members are able to do so.