Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Dear Friends, and family,

What Happened?

Yesterday at approximately 1 pm afternoon, a powerful earthquake hit from just under 100 miles of Mexico City. It registered a magnitude of 7.1 causing severe and prolonged shaking across the capital. Many buildings have fallen, crushing adults and children. At present the current total of people dead, stands at 220. Primary schools have been destroyed filled with pupils. Streets are blocked, people have been left without homes, schools, food and water. The city centre currently feels like a chaotic urban jungle, mixed with the omnipresent sense of great mortality, and at the same time hope, as people, civilians are assisting in providing physical help.

Personal Testimony:

I am a teacher at the British International primary school in Mexico City, The Wingate School. I was teaching a class of 7 year olds at the moment when the earthquake struck. Our classroom is on the second floor of building. The building was shaking severely from side to side, everything was moving. (I have only recently moved from a huge, excellent school in SE London, the building is Victorian). I could never imagine such a solid building moving, in fact I now understand that perhaps being English, one can easily take for granted such reliance on solid structures.

A pupil in my class was quick to point out, “Look miss, look how the smart board is moving, and look how your computer is moving!” The lights were swinging from side to side, and my colleague and I calmly, but quickly lined everyone up and moved swiftly down the flights of stairs. Everyone in the school assembled outside in the playground and completed the official procedure. Children were sat calmly, some very emotionally. All 120 pupils out. We waited outside for 2 hours until every child was safely evacuated. We were lucky. Some schools were not. As a teacher, I cannot begin to imagine the poor pupils in the school Enrique Rébsamen primary, who didn´t get out. (A school in the middle of the city, where we still do not know how many pupils or staff have survived.)

My husband was working in the city centre at the time, luckily he works in international architects firm, and the building´s design withstood the area. His team evacuated quickly and all got out. He spent the 6 hours following the earthquake physically helping on the ground lifting rubble, helping move concrete and debris, helping with children and cooking food for those who are both helping on site or who had none. Please see the photos below he took yesterday from the site he was working at.

The Current Situation;

Please help! The city center is a mess. Walking home it felt very strange. Buildings have fallen. Not just old buildings (perhaps the ones you might expect), but modern ones too. Houses and schools have just toppled on to the street. It looks like a horror film. It almost doesn´t feel real. What is brilliant is that everyone is helping, where buildings have fallen and streets are blocked people are helping divert traffic, civilians are gathering together cooking food for shelters, making beds. On the street people are working together lifting rubble, moving blocks of concrete away.

Who are we?

I am a British Primary school teacher from Bath, I have been working in a SE London for the last 5 years and have recently moved to Mexico with my husband. I am an Old Monktonian and an active member of the English Speaking church out here in Mexico City.

How you can help?

My husband returned home late yesterday from working on the ground, he stated that what is required most is tools, shovels (to move the rubble), gloves, protective clothing, mattresses, food, water, first aid equipment, e.g. bandages and plasters.

Please donate some money using the details and link below.

What we are going to do?

Using your kind donations we are going to buy tools, mattresses, food and first aid equipment and take it directly (with a team of architects and teachers) to the people assisting in the worst affected areas. We will also be on the ground helping distribute it, ourselves and using it to help the situation.

Depending on the amount raised we may also give some of the money to trustworthy local organizations involved in the relief effort so that they can spend it on people’s immediate needs as well as on helping people to rebuild their lives. We will update you on how all the money is spent by email.

Why us?

Diego (my husband) and I are trustworthy selfless people who will only use the donations to support the cause. By donating through us you will be helping to provide practical items to those affected by the earthquake and giving to trustworthy local organisations that we have carefully chosen.

Finally thank you for your time, and kindness in these matters. Please give generously, whatever you can give is really appreciated.

Architect Diego Melchor Ruiz M.A

Mrs. Henrietta Melchor-Bray PGCE, B.A Hons. (British Primary II School Teacher)

Edited by: Mrs. Lena Ourique de Campuzano B.A, B.ED, MA.ED

(The Wingate School Coordinator - Virreyes Campus and Primary II Teacher)