The 50 Ecuadorian Students as they pled for help from Barbados to help them in their efforts to assist their country, which was devastated by a massive earthquake over the weekend.

The 50 Ecuadorian Students as they pled for help from Barbados to help them in their efforts to assist their country, which was devastated by a massive earthquake over the weekend.

These Ecuadorian students were busy making placards to highlight the grim reality being faced in their homeland, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit on Saturday night.

These Ecuadorian students were busy making placards to highlight the grim reality being faced in their homeland, after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit on Saturday night.
 

(From right) Students Diego Morisillo, Henry Guatemal and co-ordinator of the English as a Second Language Course, Sonia Johnson, while speaking to the media in LT3 of the Cave Hill Campus yesterday.

(From right) Students Diego Morisillo, Henry Guatemal and co-ordinator of the English as a Second Language Course, Sonia Johnson, while speaking to the media in LT3 of the Cave Hill Campus yesterday.

Ecuadorian students at UWI shaken

7.8 earthquake devastates their home

POWERLESS!

That’s how the 50 Ecuadorian students at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus feel, as devastating images of their homeland emerge, following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in that South American country on Saturday night.

The group of English teachers are currently pursuing a seven-month English as a Second Language course on campus. Though thousands of miles away from home, they have resolved not to sit idly by, but to help their fellow citizens in any way possible, with the help of the people of Barbados. Many of the students come from Manabí, which was hard-hit during the earthquake, which struck around 7:30 p.m.

While communication between the two countries has been sporadic, the images emerging on social media and the major news networks have painted a horrific picture of buildings completely flattened, impassable roads, looting, limited medical supplies and worse still, many missing persons believed to be under the rubble, following the strongest earthquake to hit that coastal region in decades.

Yesterday, looks of concern could be seen etched across the faces of the students. Some stared blankly into space, as they came to the realisation that their home, which they left five months ago to pursue studies in Barbados, will never be the same again.

One of the students, Diego Morisillo, said even though it is difficult to maintain contact with Ecuador, all of the students have reached their families. He lamented however, that some of them recognise names that are constantly being added to the list of the deceased and still worry about the safety of their extended families, neighbours and friends.

Alex Valdivieso could only nod his head in disbelief at the images of an apartment complex broken in half and a hotel completely flattened, as he contemplated the persons who could still be inside. He also expressed concern about Bahia de Caraquez and many other areas that can only be accessed by air.

The students, who are calling for solidarity at this time, have already identified ways in which Barbados can help, the final details of which they assured will be publicised in the coming days.

According to Henry Guatemal, these include a disaster fund, as well as a collection drive ,where persons can donate items at major supermarkets and in town centres, with the hope of collecting as much food, clothes, water and other basic necessities the ground.

The students are also planning a fund-raising concert to help in the relief effort, and are also calling on local artistes to participate in this worthy cause. They will also be hosting a session of prayer for the country, which is still feeling aftershocks.

Organiser of the English as a Second Language Course, Sonia Johnson, highlighted the impact that this earthquake will have on the students, who are currently in the most intense part of their course, and with just two more months to go. She noted that the students received a counselling session by principal of the UWI, Professor Eudine Barriteau, as well officials from the Office of Student Services.

She revealed that there are 44 Ecuadorian students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and 45 in Dominica, also studying English, all of whom are mounting their own relief efforts. The students will be utilising social media, using the hashtag #BarbadosEcuadortogether to garner support and disseminate information. (JH)

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