Over 100 people died over the last few days during Hurricane Agatha, mostly from mudslides and thousands have had to evacuate their homes. Guatemala experienced more rain in 12 hours than it has since 1949. I just got off of the phone with Ann, Avivara’s Associate Director for Volunteer Training and Teacher Development. She informed me that the schools in the area are shut down for the next week. She walked with Gary (Executive Director) around their town of San Pedro Las Huertas. The torrential rains caused a lot of mudslides and water damage to homes. The roads in many areas are impassable. Ann also informed me that a large chunk of a volcano in the area slid down the mountainside. From here in Antigua, where everything is cement, it is not evident that many villages in Guatemala are in crisis mode.
Ann told me that she would keep me informed about what is going on with the schools. One of her main jobs is to visit schools to bring supplies, work with teachers, and teach lessons. With the conditions of the roads and the conditions of schools and homes in different villages still somewhat unknown, Ann will have to stay in contact with the schools and adjust her schedule accordingly.
This hurricane is one more reminder that places with less resources and infrastructure suffer much more devastation during natural disasters.
For more info about the devastation from Hurricane Agatha click here
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