Guatemala, Rio Dulce – More information on the flood and it’s victoms

It was almost like the ‘gods’ wanted to apologies for their mistake.

After the terrible rain storm that washed way many peoples homes and their neighbours, it did not rain for the few days that followed.

As the waters receded people were able to hunt through the tangle of trees and mud in search of any remnants of their possessions and the bodies of their lost neighbours.

A flood of donations have come in from the local cruising community and fund raisers are being organized to help continue the MOMENTUM.

If you would like to read more about this, here is the most recent excerpt from http://riodulcechisme.com/

August 10, 2015by Jody Aston, Editor

This is a follow-up on our recent article, Serious Flood Damage on Lake Izabal. We will provide an update on the situation later today, but first, we would like to announce a FUNDRAISING EVENT that was already being planned for a local charity when the flooding in the Lake Izabal area occurred. Willy Ditzler, on SV Lorelei, and Kathi Wright, along with a team of committee members, had committed to providing donations from the event to the Centro de Salud (Health Center) which offers 10 free clinics locally. The focus has shifted to the new emergency, however, and will now split the proceeds between that worthy cause and the flood disaster relief. From organizer Kathi Wright:

Planning Phase Started for the 2015 Rio Dulce Community Fundraiser

This year’s event will be raising money for the local free clinics under the Centro de Salud. These ten free clinics support our community and are in desperate need of our help. The committee has met with the doctor in charge and has obtained a list of what will most benefit these various facilities.

2015 Chili Cook-Off and Raffle/Silent Auction

Monday, September 7^th

At Bruno’s Marina

 We hope to experience the same support from our community that we received last year and are now looking for:

•           ~donations of new or gently used items from individuals for our raffle/silent auction,
•       ~donations of products or services from local businesses for our raffle/silent auction,
•       ~competitors in our Chili Cook-Off to make their favorite brand of chili,
•      ~volunteers who can work this year’s event, and
• ~lots and lots of people to come out and enjoy the day and raise money for our community!

If you want to participate or have any questions, please contact Kathi Wright at 5321-9197.

As usual, the Rio Dulce community, both resident and transient, has been kind-hearted and generous in donating supplies and cash donations for relief efforts. More is needed, and there have been inquiries from many asking how they can donate money from afar.

We attempted to set up a PayPal method, but it is too difficult (impossible) to withdraw the funds while in Guatemala. Withdrawals can only be made from a USA bank account. Then, to make wire transfers from the bank account, it would cost US$45 to send any amount from $1 to $5,000. This is in addition to the percentage charged by PayPal for the transaction. In short, it’s not viable.

To transfer money from personal accounts in the United States to Guatemala, many expats use XOOM (pronounced zoom), a reliable money transfer service. It is, by far, the cheapest method available. They charge a flat rate of US$4.99 for any amount up to $2,999. It is simple to sign on, and the funds are easily obtained as cash pickups or bank deposits to Guatemala accounts. If anyone is interested in using this method, contact me at jody.riodulcechisme@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will give you the bank account number to use to receive the transfer. We will provide complete information on how your money is used, and if possible, will even provide photographs. https://www.xoom.com/money-transfer Note: Xoom only accepts transfers from US-based bank accounts and credit/debit cards.

If you are in Guatemala and would like to make a bank deposit, directly, you can also contact me at the above email address for account information.

Additionally, a “Gofundme” account is reportedly being set up today. We will report the website link to the project and other information as soon as it is available. Gofundme accepts donations from around the world and supports the following currencies: $US (USA), $CAD (Canada), $AUD (Australia), £GBP (U.K.) and some European countries whose currency is the €EUR (Euro).

Thank you for caring about these wonderful Guatemala people, who graciously share their enchanting country with us, and are now in desperate need of loving assistance.

What Are We Doing at Tortugal Marina?

Several of the workers here at Tortugal Marina (security, gardener deckhand) are all from the same family.  Unfortunately they lost their home in the flood.

The few cruisers on their boats at the moment in the marina have put together personal items, clothing, kitchen utensils and any other items they could spare.

The family have been offered accommodation here, but at the moment, they have chosen to stay with many of their nieghbours in the temporary shelter organized in town.  There may be some assistance coming from the government to help them build new homes.  They are worried if they leave they will become ineligible.

Escaping their homes, in the complete darkness of the early hours of morning. in the pouring rain with tangles of trees and debris trying to knock them over in the rushing water must have been terribly frightening.

Some of their incredible stories are starting to come out.

Personal Stories from the Flood

Here is one story that I heard second hand through tears.

The village higher up the river was the first affected by the run off from the rains.  They called their neighbours who had phones in the village below to warn them of what was coming their way. One man, who got the call, rushed out into the storm to warn the households closest to the river.  His warning call helped to save many peoples lives.  Very quickly the water levels rose high enough that he believed is own home and family were at risk.  He rushed back to fetch them.

He bundled up his wife and two children as the flood waters, and all the debris they carried, beat against his house.  His neighbor, one of the family of workers here, was leaving his home too with his mother, the last of the family members he needed to lead to safety.  His flashlight caught the escaping family for a moment and then they were gone.  The force of the flood stole their footing.

The body, of this incredible caring man was found with his wife’s tangled among the trees washed down from the mountains.  His children’s bodies have no yet been found.

I hope this story helps you find the ‘human face’ in this tragedy.

Things you do not want to happen to you

I try to leave the blog with a little bit of a lighter note each time I give you some bad news.

More than just rain comes with the rainy season here in the jungle.  We also get our fair share of lightning.  Lightning has incredible powers that breed fear into all living organisms on this planet…….but especially cruisers.

One strike and every electrical system on a boat can be destroyed.  Worst case scenario sea cocks (valves that control water entering and leaving the boat) can blow out in a strike and the boat can quickly sink.  We saw it happen to a anchored boat near us last summer on the Saint Johns river, Florida.

Every electrical device, whether it is turned on or not, is effected by the incredible energy involved as a lightning strike flows through a boat. Navigational equipment, auto-pilots, radios, refrigerators, engine electrics including starters even battery powered devices are compromised.

No boat owner wants to be struck by lightning.  But sailboats, with their tall masts just like ‘lightning rods’, have the ‘cards’ stacked against them.

Unfortunately one of our friends was struck this year while moored up in the Cayman Islands.  His boat did not sink but it did cost him over $50,000 to replace damaged electronics.  Even after being given the all clear, on his way here to the Rio Ducle, the fridge and bow thruster have given up the ghost.

Oddly enough someone actually captured his boat being struck by lightning on film.  Check it out.

Ouch!  That has got to hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!