- The earthquake struck Colombia, causing devastation including in Salento, where extensive damage occurred.
- Encanto Cafe put out a call for donations, leading to a strong community response.
- Volunteers in Manotick are packing boxes of food, clothing, baby supplies and other essentials to send to communities devastated by the earthquake in Colombia.
- With support from a foundation in Toronto, the donations are expected to leave Monday and be flown to Colombia.
- Volunteer Ricardo Henriquez described the urgent needs: "There’s people sleeping on the streets, sleeping on the floor, babies with no toys, no diapers, they need everything right now."
- The community response has been strong, according to Juanita Botero, whose family owns Encanto Cafe: "We are very happy because the community in Manotick, Gatineau and Ottawa has been amazing."
- Botero's relatives live in one of the hardest-hit areas; some have lost their homes, and others are still waiting for aid.
- Aid is being directed to remote towns that are hard to reach: "Some small towns in our city and in other cities are very difficult to get to because they don’t have roads to go there, so that’s where we are going," said Botero.
- The earthquake has been devastating, with Botero stating, "It’s destroyed. They don’t have houses anymore," and noting that friends lost their lives, houses, and families. The community has also raised nearly $3,000 for relief.
Volunteers in Manotick are mobilizing to support victims of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, resulting in over 280 fatalities and extensive destruction. Donations of food, clothing, and baby supplies are being packed at Encanto Cafe and will soon be sent to remote areas in need.126
“There’s people sleeping on the streets, sleeping on the floor, babies with no toys, no diapers, they need everything right now,” said volunteer Ricardo Henriquez. The cafe's owner, Juanita Botero, expressed gratitude for the community's support, stating, “We are very happy because the community in Manotick, Gatineau and Ottawa has been amazing.”5
The earthquake has devastated towns like Salento, which inspired the cafe's creation. “It’s destroyed. They don’t have houses anymore,” Botero lamented. “It’s been very sad because it was a beautiful town, very colourful.”
In addition to the packed supplies, the community has raised nearly $3,000 to aid the relief effort. The donations are set to leave on Monday, supported by a foundation in Toronto, to reach those in dire need in Colombia.4910
“Volunteer Ricardo Henriquez says people are sleeping on streets and babies lack diapers, while Juanita Botero notes Salento is 'destroyed' and friends lost lives and homes. The community has raised nearly $3,000, and donations leave Monday with support from a Toronto foundation.”
