Soon I will get back to my usual blog, but for now, Hurricane Jimena and the relief effort has taken on a life of its own and it has taken me with it. We are working hard to help and it's a wonderful feeling. Below is a letter I wrote to friends and family asking for donations. It explains how I feel about El Cobijo.
Dear Friends and Family:
As you may or may not know, our area was hit on September 2nd and 3rd by a very serious hurricane (Hurricane Jimena) that did tremendous damage to our town, San Carlos, and the City of Guaymas, and especially the small Mexican towns in between. Bruce and I and Teddy and Niko are fine. We did lose our items in storage but that is nothing compared to the loss of homes and belongings that our neighbors suffered. The water came up to the roofs of most of the houses in the towns of Santa Clara, San Jose and Fatima and thousands of families lost their homes, cars and belongings. Everyone lost power and water and some towns still do not have safe water. We don't either but we can afford to have our cisterns filled by the water trucks. Many people are just living outside with nothing.
Unfortunately, American TV did not cover this event so we didn't get the publicity that disasters so often get. Many people have stepped in to help. Our town, San Carlos, has a large population of people from Canada and the United States so of course we are all ok and in a position to help. Everyone is working day and night to help the people in the small towns. Rotary Club has brought in Shelter Boxes which contain tents, blankets water containers etc. Food is being prepared and distributed to all the families. I've heard that trucks have just started arriving from the United States with more supplies.
My particular focus is on El Cobijo, a residential home in San Jose, that houses 14 elderly men and one woman. They were caught in the hurricane and spent all night on the roof of the home having climbed/been carried up a rickety ladder to get there. These hardy souls spent the night on the roof in the raging winds with water lapping at the roof until they could be rescued in the morning by helicopter. We had no communication so no one knew what had happened to them. Bruce and I drove there in our four wheel drive jeep on the following Sunday with a carload of supplies and as we drove through San Jose our hearts sank and we both cried. We drove as close as we could to the home but the roads were out so we walked in. My heart was pounding. The homes were gone and beds, sinks, cars, every conceivable belonging from their houses were scattered everywhere. In a matter of hours their lives were shattered. We could do nothing but come home in shock.
Finally that night I found out that the men had been taken to the ladies retirement home which is run by the Catholic Sisters in Guaymas. They have no extra money and the men are going to be housed by donations from us. So far, two of us are pretty much doing the shopping and using our own funds to purchase items. We have received a couple of extremely generous donations that are keeping us going but we are talking long term. Kristine Ladau and I have made a long term commitment to help, probably at least a year or until the El Cobijo home is back to where it was before the hurricane. It has become our fulltime job. El Cobijo has always operated to their last peso but now they have less than nothing. These are very old men; some are blind and crippled and some get around fine. Many of them read. We became interested in El Cobijo when we first moved here in May. Having lost both of my own parents, I have always been committed to making sure older people are not just alone and forgotten. My sister and I promised my mother that we would stay with her when she was ill and we did. I feel strongly, that at the end of your life, you should not be alone. As you can see I feel very passionate about this.
There is a wonderful woman who has worked with these men for years. Her name is Luz Acosta and we have become good friends. Luz has been with the men day and night since the hurricane; everytime I see her she is running, hauling boxes, changing adult diapers and sweating. Her emotions are raw right now and she cries a lot because her heart is sad, but she also sees the light at the end of the tunnel. I am obviously writing to ask for your help. I have set up a Paypal account to help these people. All of the money will go to their care. Kristina and I will gladly continue to pay for our own gas and labor and time. If you can give any amount at all even $5.00 it would be a tremendous help. All you need to do is go to http://www.paypal.com/ and send money using my email address: janambrose@gmail.com. It's that simple; the account is linked to my US account in Seattle and I can send receipts as well. I have never done this before and I probably won't again. It's just so extremely important. The visible people who were hurt by the hurricane are getting help but the old people get forgotten because they can no longer speak for themselves. If you just can't give, then say a prayer for all the people who are suffering from this disaster. Thank you all so much.
With love and thanks,
Jan Ambrose and Kristina Ladau
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Story of El Cobijo by Martin Ruelas
I have found a full time job. I'm working for the residents of the Old Folks Home, El Cobijo to help them eat and go on with their lives. I feel happier than I have in a long time because I'm doing something that gives me great satisfaction. My background is in the helping field but the political aspects never agreed with me so I moved on, sadly. I'm opening a PayPal account right now and taking donations of food and clothing from my neighbors. There's a lot of work to do in our town. Everyone is in help mode right now, but this intense need by the people will go on for months. Everyone is willing to give time and money now, but it's the long term commitment that is worrisome.
The residents of El Cobijo are safe and sound at the Ladies Retirement Home in Guaymas. That's where they were taken as the water was rising to the roof of their home in San Jose. They only have two dormitory rooms there but it is clean and in a beautiful setting run by the Catholic Sisters. Can you imagine being 90+ years old, sick and pushed up a ladder to a roof during a raging hurricane with water rising all around you? Martin has been working each and every day to help the town of San Carlos, San Jose de Guaymas and Guaymas itself. The ladder is pictured above; yes the rickety wooden ladder.
By the way, I have visited the men and they are happy, clean and well fed. They love every single visitor. They are well loved by the ladies that take care of them and they crave human contact. Even though we have somewhat of a language barrier, the feelings are there and it's heartwarming. Why wouldn't I want to be involved in something like this? It's the most rewarding thing ever.
A friend of mine; a restauranteur and coffee maker here in San Carlos is working hard each day and night to help everyone and he has written the following story of El Cobijo. I think it captures the feeling of what is going on here. This is Martin's beautiful story:
I was yesterday at the Shelter Cobijo de San Jose de Guaymas.
I stop in my journey with shocking scenes of destroyed houses, was very sad and bitter see people taking their cars from the mud, and trying to find in the mud and dirt might find something, which was very sad to see that reality of that pile of mud and earth could be seen at a glance that nothing can be rescued, too many people were left homeless, with no furniture, no clothes and even worse than that without water to drink or something to eat, all with little effort and hard work had done so before the storm "Jimena" on that day than anyone expected, and nobody was afraid of the tremendous damage "Jimena" would leave in its wake, September 3, 2009 will be for all Residents of San Jose de Guaymas, Salvation, Empalme, Buenos Aires, Santa Clara, Ranchitos, Guaymas and many other nearby suburbs will be bitterly remembered by all.
Today, a record by the storm that struck in 1948 to Guaymas which was of 348 mm was exceeded with more than double for "Jimena" reaching the 711 mm.
In this sad story I met Fernando and Jose who cleaned up gradually inside of this building “El Cobijo of San Jose” told me the Odyssey who lived in person during this storm, "Jimena". They had too windy and raining in torrents and when they heard the sound of water coming toward his community people began to leave their homes and get on “El Cobijo of San Jose” roof. José has to hurry and start helping the elderly to climb the ceiling by a wooden staircase which was made right there with loose boards that had to see in the photos down below. In the mine time by curiosity Fernando went to the vicinity of the creek to check how big it was growing but apparently he fail to cross back and had to stay on the other side, hampering the work for Joseph to climb the ladder elders one by one.
Then we started to get people to seek refuge at “El Cobijo of San Jose” and these people helped Joseph to go to the elders at the ceiling. The water level rose steadily and people already in the roof of “El Cobijo of San Jose” from the ceiling began to see with sadness that the beds, dishes, clothes all the little they had was taken from his house and dragged by the water, this happen also to“El Cobijo of San Jose” lost everything and the same had been happening in every house in San Jose and “La Salvacion”, the streams growing by the minute, then at that time the most important thing was to save the lives of their loved ones any cost.
José mentioned that he saw a family that became trapped on the roof of his house and the water level was exceeded the level of the roof of their house and Jose had to break a copper tube for use as a means of rope and save them, thanks to this a lot of people were saved. Very strong winds knocked down electricity pylons and in total darkness were on the roof. The heavy rain and icy winds haunted by the lives of their young children, they have to break two of the four water tanks of asbestos with stones and bricks by a side and make a hole to put the children and thus could be protected by the impetuous of bad weather, rain and down winds that never before had felt, heart-wrenching moments, were alone in solitary confinement, without light, without telephones, cell phones had no signal left is whether his own fate.
But God is great and never abandoned even in total darkness were never lost hope or gave up, it was time to be together and support each other it was time to pray and ask our Our Father God to protect them and wanted to finish the rain, anguish heard the roar of cows, deer, horses and dogs washed away and the unfortunate animals who desperately fought for their lives.
They realized that there was nothing to do, only in wait until the storm ended, were hours of anguish never before seen anything like this, from Wednesday 2 September, rain beginning at 6 pm and end the day Friday at 6 am. A tremendous amount of water that fell incessantly for 36 hours 711 mm. more than twice what it rained in 1948.
The secret things belong to God our Father. Which unites us like brothers now to support what we are, that is our God the Father who loves to see, that we love each other and give thanks to all who have come together for this noble cause. What we have seen is actually a word that if we love, that if we want and we can do much, much more together one with another. Let us well.
God Bless you today and always. I love them all!
NOTE:
If something is left over at home please donate to the victims of these affected areas will not be wasted slush.
They need your donation, you can support them with:
Clothing, footwear, blankets, pillows, mattresses, cupboards, food, china, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, toiletries, refrigerators, stoves, tables, chairs, beds, wheelchairs, adult diapers, disposable, signs signaling, one UHF radio, medicine, and all you can donate.
Jose, Fernando and the director of “El Cobijo de San Jose” LuZ Acosta (Cellphone: 6221234910) We thank you very much.
I stop in my journey with shocking scenes of destroyed houses, was very sad and bitter see people taking their cars from the mud, and trying to find in the mud and dirt might find something, which was very sad to see that reality of that pile of mud and earth could be seen at a glance that nothing can be rescued, too many people were left homeless, with no furniture, no clothes and even worse than that without water to drink or something to eat, all with little effort and hard work had done so before the storm "Jimena" on that day than anyone expected, and nobody was afraid of the tremendous damage "Jimena" would leave in its wake, September 3, 2009 will be for all Residents of San Jose de Guaymas, Salvation, Empalme, Buenos Aires, Santa Clara, Ranchitos, Guaymas and many other nearby suburbs will be bitterly remembered by all.
Today, a record by the storm that struck in 1948 to Guaymas which was of 348 mm was exceeded with more than double for "Jimena" reaching the 711 mm.
In this sad story I met Fernando and Jose who cleaned up gradually inside of this building “El Cobijo of San Jose” told me the Odyssey who lived in person during this storm, "Jimena". They had too windy and raining in torrents and when they heard the sound of water coming toward his community people began to leave their homes and get on “El Cobijo of San Jose” roof. José has to hurry and start helping the elderly to climb the ceiling by a wooden staircase which was made right there with loose boards that had to see in the photos down below. In the mine time by curiosity Fernando went to the vicinity of the creek to check how big it was growing but apparently he fail to cross back and had to stay on the other side, hampering the work for Joseph to climb the ladder elders one by one.
Then we started to get people to seek refuge at “El Cobijo of San Jose” and these people helped Joseph to go to the elders at the ceiling. The water level rose steadily and people already in the roof of “El Cobijo of San Jose” from the ceiling began to see with sadness that the beds, dishes, clothes all the little they had was taken from his house and dragged by the water, this happen also to“El Cobijo of San Jose” lost everything and the same had been happening in every house in San Jose and “La Salvacion”, the streams growing by the minute, then at that time the most important thing was to save the lives of their loved ones any cost.
José mentioned that he saw a family that became trapped on the roof of his house and the water level was exceeded the level of the roof of their house and Jose had to break a copper tube for use as a means of rope and save them, thanks to this a lot of people were saved. Very strong winds knocked down electricity pylons and in total darkness were on the roof. The heavy rain and icy winds haunted by the lives of their young children, they have to break two of the four water tanks of asbestos with stones and bricks by a side and make a hole to put the children and thus could be protected by the impetuous of bad weather, rain and down winds that never before had felt, heart-wrenching moments, were alone in solitary confinement, without light, without telephones, cell phones had no signal left is whether his own fate.
But God is great and never abandoned even in total darkness were never lost hope or gave up, it was time to be together and support each other it was time to pray and ask our Our Father God to protect them and wanted to finish the rain, anguish heard the roar of cows, deer, horses and dogs washed away and the unfortunate animals who desperately fought for their lives.
They realized that there was nothing to do, only in wait until the storm ended, were hours of anguish never before seen anything like this, from Wednesday 2 September, rain beginning at 6 pm and end the day Friday at 6 am. A tremendous amount of water that fell incessantly for 36 hours 711 mm. more than twice what it rained in 1948.
The secret things belong to God our Father. Which unites us like brothers now to support what we are, that is our God the Father who loves to see, that we love each other and give thanks to all who have come together for this noble cause. What we have seen is actually a word that if we love, that if we want and we can do much, much more together one with another. Let us well.
God Bless you today and always. I love them all!
NOTE:
If something is left over at home please donate to the victims of these affected areas will not be wasted slush.
They need your donation, you can support them with:
Clothing, footwear, blankets, pillows, mattresses, cupboards, food, china, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, toiletries, refrigerators, stoves, tables, chairs, beds, wheelchairs, adult diapers, disposable, signs signaling, one UHF radio, medicine, and all you can donate.
Jose, Fernando and the director of “El Cobijo de San Jose” LuZ Acosta (Cellphone: 6221234910) We thank you very much.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Help People Recover From Hurricane Jimena
For those of you who read my blog and for my Facebook friends, here are some help efforts underway....if you live far away and can even give a little money that would be great. It's hard to picture what is going on here in Sonora if you can't see it and the US news and weather channels did not cover this hurricane at all. Bruce and I are very fortunate. We have plenty of food, electricity, water in our three tinakos. All is well here, but when we leave the hill, it's a different story.
There is also a paypal account sent up by George, the forum coordinator in San Carlos.
Thanks for reading. Here is a description of help needed posted on the San Carlos bulletin board:
Subject: Jimena Help!!
For those that don’t know, we are going to try to give out care packages to all needy families that were devastated by Jimena in San Carlos, San Jose, Santa Clara and Guaymas. We need LOTS of supplies to make that happen!!! In addition we will try to work on the immediate water needs by sending water trucks to affected areas. My goal is to help at LEAST 2,000 families. We need everyone’s help to make that happen. Even sending $1 will make that happen! If you don’t have $1, call 10 friends that have 10 dimes!!! I will try to summarize what I found out today.
Needs/Care packages: (somewhat in order)• Money-100% of the money will be used towards helping people.• Clorox – needed to clean and disinfect to prevent illness and disease• WATER!! - all kinds, for drinking and for cleaning• Milk- in cartons that are non-perishable (Lala)• Basic foods – rice, beans, canned food• SOAP –personal hygiene, toothpaste, tooth brushes, brushes, combs, hair ties for the girls, shaving cream, razors• Diapers• Kotex• Face masks• Basic medical needs• Clothes – shoes, underwear• Comforters – most lost their mattresses. Something to sleep on• Sheets• Dishes• Utensils• Furniture• Mattresses• School supplies• Any and all types of furniture
Fatima: (link to Google Maps)Darren went to Fatima and they seemed fairly organized. Many homes have been leveled. There is a central location that is currently housing approx 150 people. They served 350 meals last night. This central location can be used for a distribution center and I understand that they have police assistance so it is safe. They need all the above items. Did not yet receive any count as to how many households. They DO HAVE RUNNING WATER but only for a day or so. Darren has already purchased $4,000 pesos for immediate need food for them at a bulk store that donated 20 kilos of Beans and 20 Kilos of rice. (approx 40 lbs each). Darren is working directly with this center and will coordinating the delivery. He can respond to the number of households and will follow up with pictures.
San Jose: Google MapPJ, Shelly, Morgan and I went out to San Jose today and saw massive destruction. I was in tears when I saw the destruction. They DO NOT HAVE RUNNING WATER and I believe they are still waiting on electricity. I did not see any homes that were not affected. The San Jose area that includes La Salvacion and El Cuadrito has approximately 700 households. They need all of the above items. We will work with the Police department (Comisario) to distribute supplies. Also, important we need to pay for a water truck to deliver water to homes. Photos are attached. They had a lot of livestock that died and the chance of contamination in the ground water is high.
Santa Clara: Google MapI understand that Santa Clara is similar to San Jose. Charla’s father went there today but I haven’t yet received a report. Charla will be going there tomorrow morning. To give a full report.
San Carlos:There are several areas of need many roads are washed out and still without water. George will contact Mark & Miguel and will be working with them to access need. I think San Carlos will be more of a case by case basis. No doubt many areas will need the basic need, but I understand that some houses did not lose everything.
Other help and organizations:• We discovered that the government is paying people $150 pesos per day to clean up their house, roads or other homes.• A senator from Cd. Obregon (forgot name, will post later) had a crew giving out clothes and some rations. They are ready and willing to help with any aid. I will follow up and ask for matching donations.• Spoke with Pablo Audelo, there will be a MEETING TOMORROW WITH DIF at the San Carlos Plaza. Trying to coordinate efforts with other groups to help. I will meet them and will give feedback of combined efforts.• We will continue to make joint efforts to make our money and supplies go further. Hopefully we will get some matching funds from government organizations.
DROP OFF POINTS: (More to come… we’re just getting started)•
Tucson: Drop off points in Tucson - Desert Divers (Mike) and Risky Business (Eddie coordinating).•
Flagstaff: Woodland Self Storage (Tom@flagstaffstorage.com)1425 W Forest Meadows StFlagstaff, AZ 86001(928) 779-5066Get directions• Phoenix: Still working on more…..Home of Stephanie Holbrook 9451 W Mary Ann Dr Peoria, AZ (623) 910-1711 (stephanieholbrook@yahoo.com)
If you have any more ideas or people that can help either bring things to San Carlos or just GET THEM TO A DROP OFF Please let us know.
Right now we are trying to satisfy immediate need, there will be need for the next year. So if you know anyone coming this way.. ALL CARS SHOULD BE FULL OF SUPPLIES! And we need money. Donations of $1 are welcome. I will let Charla reply to all with the PayPal account. We will find a way to take donations if that is a problem. Just let me know. Also, there will be a rebuilding campaign. If you or your church group wants a project we can help coordinate.
Thanks to everyone for pitching in!!!
Tammi MillerERA San Carlos RealtyOffice (from US): (011-52) 622-226-2000Fax (from US): (011-52) 622-226-2121Vonage: 520-495-0020Cell (011-52) 622-197-0989Nextel: 62*14*26105tammisancarlos@gmail.com
Beyond that, we will take anything.
PayPal - Just set up. Donations will go towards those that need money, gas for deliveries, purchasing water, etc. email gcg@gadsbys.com for the link to PayPal
There is also a paypal account sent up by George, the forum coordinator in San Carlos.
Thanks for reading. Here is a description of help needed posted on the San Carlos bulletin board:
Subject: Jimena Help!!
For those that don’t know, we are going to try to give out care packages to all needy families that were devastated by Jimena in San Carlos, San Jose, Santa Clara and Guaymas. We need LOTS of supplies to make that happen!!! In addition we will try to work on the immediate water needs by sending water trucks to affected areas. My goal is to help at LEAST 2,000 families. We need everyone’s help to make that happen. Even sending $1 will make that happen! If you don’t have $1, call 10 friends that have 10 dimes!!! I will try to summarize what I found out today.
Needs/Care packages: (somewhat in order)• Money-100% of the money will be used towards helping people.• Clorox – needed to clean and disinfect to prevent illness and disease• WATER!! - all kinds, for drinking and for cleaning• Milk- in cartons that are non-perishable (Lala)• Basic foods – rice, beans, canned food• SOAP –personal hygiene, toothpaste, tooth brushes, brushes, combs, hair ties for the girls, shaving cream, razors• Diapers• Kotex• Face masks• Basic medical needs• Clothes – shoes, underwear• Comforters – most lost their mattresses. Something to sleep on• Sheets• Dishes• Utensils• Furniture• Mattresses• School supplies• Any and all types of furniture
Fatima: (link to Google Maps)Darren went to Fatima and they seemed fairly organized. Many homes have been leveled. There is a central location that is currently housing approx 150 people. They served 350 meals last night. This central location can be used for a distribution center and I understand that they have police assistance so it is safe. They need all the above items. Did not yet receive any count as to how many households. They DO HAVE RUNNING WATER but only for a day or so. Darren has already purchased $4,000 pesos for immediate need food for them at a bulk store that donated 20 kilos of Beans and 20 Kilos of rice. (approx 40 lbs each). Darren is working directly with this center and will coordinating the delivery. He can respond to the number of households and will follow up with pictures.
San Jose: Google MapPJ, Shelly, Morgan and I went out to San Jose today and saw massive destruction. I was in tears when I saw the destruction. They DO NOT HAVE RUNNING WATER and I believe they are still waiting on electricity. I did not see any homes that were not affected. The San Jose area that includes La Salvacion and El Cuadrito has approximately 700 households. They need all of the above items. We will work with the Police department (Comisario) to distribute supplies. Also, important we need to pay for a water truck to deliver water to homes. Photos are attached. They had a lot of livestock that died and the chance of contamination in the ground water is high.
Santa Clara: Google MapI understand that Santa Clara is similar to San Jose. Charla’s father went there today but I haven’t yet received a report. Charla will be going there tomorrow morning. To give a full report.
San Carlos:There are several areas of need many roads are washed out and still without water. George will contact Mark & Miguel and will be working with them to access need. I think San Carlos will be more of a case by case basis. No doubt many areas will need the basic need, but I understand that some houses did not lose everything.
Other help and organizations:• We discovered that the government is paying people $150 pesos per day to clean up their house, roads or other homes.• A senator from Cd. Obregon (forgot name, will post later) had a crew giving out clothes and some rations. They are ready and willing to help with any aid. I will follow up and ask for matching donations.• Spoke with Pablo Audelo, there will be a MEETING TOMORROW WITH DIF at the San Carlos Plaza. Trying to coordinate efforts with other groups to help. I will meet them and will give feedback of combined efforts.• We will continue to make joint efforts to make our money and supplies go further. Hopefully we will get some matching funds from government organizations.
DROP OFF POINTS: (More to come… we’re just getting started)•
Tucson: Drop off points in Tucson - Desert Divers (Mike) and Risky Business (Eddie coordinating).•
Flagstaff: Woodland Self Storage (Tom@flagstaffstorage.com)1425 W Forest Meadows StFlagstaff, AZ 86001(928) 779-5066Get directions• Phoenix: Still working on more…..Home of Stephanie Holbrook 9451 W Mary Ann Dr Peoria, AZ (623) 910-1711 (stephanieholbrook@yahoo.com)
If you have any more ideas or people that can help either bring things to San Carlos or just GET THEM TO A DROP OFF Please let us know.
Right now we are trying to satisfy immediate need, there will be need for the next year. So if you know anyone coming this way.. ALL CARS SHOULD BE FULL OF SUPPLIES! And we need money. Donations of $1 are welcome. I will let Charla reply to all with the PayPal account. We will find a way to take donations if that is a problem. Just let me know. Also, there will be a rebuilding campaign. If you or your church group wants a project we can help coordinate.
Thanks to everyone for pitching in!!!
Tammi MillerERA San Carlos RealtyOffice (from US): (011-52) 622-226-2000Fax (from US): (011-52) 622-226-2121Vonage: 520-495-0020Cell (011-52) 622-197-0989Nextel: 62*14*26105tammisancarlos@gmail.com
Beyond that, we will take anything.
PayPal - Just set up. Donations will go towards those that need money, gas for deliveries, purchasing water, etc. email gcg@gadsbys.com for the link to PayPal
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