Moving forward: Adaritza’s story
Whenever Adaritza Márquez talks about the earthquake, the memories immediately come flooding back. “I feel a deep sadness. Every time I talk about the earthquake, it breaks my heart.” Before the disaster, the 48-year-old lived with her twelve-year-old daughter in Catia la Mar, in the seaside neighbourhood of Playa Grande.
When the earthquake struck their home, the family spent the night outside. A neighbouring building collapsed onto their home, partially destroying it. “I saw many injured people with my own eyes. People who were bleeding and calling for help,” Adaritza recalls. “Many people lost even more than I did. I lost my home, but others lost loved ones.”
“Every time I talk about the earthquake, it breaks my heart.”
- Adaritza Márquez
Finding strength together
After the earthquake, what remained of Adaritza’s home was looted. She lost not only her home, but all of her belongings as well. Today, Adaritza lives with her twelve-year-old daughter and other relatives in temporary accommodation in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Her mother, aunt, cousins and their families are also staying there. The family is close-knit and supports one another.
Adaritza works as an administrative assistant at a local school. She tries to stay strong, especially for her daughter and her nieces. Since the earthquake, she has been encouraging them: “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. Despite everything that has happened, we have to keep moving forward.” Above all, she hopes the children will have a successful future. She wants them to receive a good education and one day be able to build independent lives for themselves. Adaritza is doing everything she can to help make that possible.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. Despite everything that has happened, we have to keep moving forward.”
- Adaritza Márquez, speaking to her daughter and nieces
Medical care
Eventually, the mobile clinic run by the Venezuelan Association of the Order of Malta visited the school where Adaritza works. Members of the school community and people from the surrounding neighbourhood were able to receive examinations and treatment from volunteer doctors and nurses.
Adaritza and her family also received medical care. Adaritza underwent a general medical examination, while her daughter and eight-year-old niece received check-ups that included an assessment of their nutritional status.For Adaritza and her family, this medical care is an important source of support. Access to healthcare can be particularly difficult for people who are living in temporary shelters after the earthquakes.
You can support people like Adaritza and her family. You too can be someone’s angel and give the gift of health and hope to people in need.
