No donation too small
A Rome High coach collects supplies for Ecuador after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake left 25,000 homeless.
Alarge container of much- needed supplies took to the air yesterday aboard a Delta flight bound for the South American country of Ecuador. The supplies included donations collected by Rome High School students for the victims of a massive earthquake that devastated that country on April 16.
Luis Goya, a teacher at Rome High, was anxious and worried after learning that a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit his home country of Ecuador, a nation in northwestern South America bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean.
The massive earthquake hit the town of Muisne, about 110 miles from the country’s capital, Quito, and destroyed homes, bridges and roads, leading to at least 650 deaths and more than 16,000 injuries. The quake’s effects were also felt in the town of Guayaquil, Goya’s hometown.
“There are more than 25,000 people left homeless after the earthquake,” said Goya who also coaches cross country and soccer at Rome High. “It destroyed a lot of houses and other infrastructure. For a developing country that’s devastating. The people really need help right now. The entire country is affected.”
Goya said he felt helpless since his family was so far away and decided he could help by sending supplies for them. And when the Ecuadoran government began asking for aid supplies he jumped at the chance. He called the Ecuadoran consulate in Atlanta and found out they were collecting supplies and would ship those to Ecuador.
With permission and help from his principal, Goya began posting fliers around the school and putting up donation boxes. The response was quick.
“It was overwhelming to see how the students began brining all kinds of supplies,” he said. “Some of them don’t know anything about Ecuador or even where it is. But they know I’m from there and they know the people need help.”
The Consular General of Ecuador in Atlanta sent a list of needed supplies and Goya related that to the students. They brought in first aid supplies, baby wipes, hygiene supplies, flashlights, diapers, batteries and toothpaste.
Soon, one side of Goya’s classroom was filled with supplies to send to the earthquake victims. There were also boxes located around the school where students could simply drop off their donations. Goya even got donations from Rome Middle School and West End Elementary.
Aubrey Koever, a Rome High student, said he heard the initial announcement about the collection of needed supplies over the intercom and immediately began helping Goya put up fliers around the school. He recruited others to help and even had two boxes at his home where he was collecting supplies. He brought those to school Friday to add to the others.
“People are living in the streets right now every little bit helped,” Koever said.
Goya collected all the supplies from the various sites and drove to Atlanta Saturday where he delivered them to the Ecuadoran consulate. They were then put on a Delta flight to Ecuador where Goya hopes they will be a relief to the people there who are trying to rebuilt their lives.
“I talk to my family all the time and they are glad and excited that we are able to send whatever supplies we can,” he said. “Many people in Ecuador have lost everything because of this earthquake. I am very grateful that the students, faculty and staff ( at Rome High) have supported me.
“Especially the students,” he added. “A majority of the supplies came from the students themselves and that means a lot to me.”