Together for Chile

Friday, February 3, 2023 is a date that recalls a bitter chapter in Maruca's life. On that day, she had to assume that an important part of her life had been lost and that many of her memories ceased to exist in the midst of the flames of the mega-fires in the regions of Ñuble, Biobío and La Araucanía. 

"This started while I was cooking in my place and watching the fires on television. Out of the blue, I remember that one of my great-grandchildren arrived and told me: 'Maruca, the fire is coming, we have to escape. At first, I didn't understand anything, I looked out of the window facing my house and noticed that the fire was already in my garden", remembers Maria, 73 years old, who lives in Yungay, Ñuble region.

-How did you manage to escape?

-The first thing I did was to grab my dog and let my chickens out, nothing else, the rest burned everything and I was left with nothing but the clothes on my back. It was very shocking, I hardly remember anything, only that we reached the river, but that everything was burning on one side and on the other... There was no way out, I thought we were going to die.

Maria managed to escape thanks to the support of other neighbors, who went to look for her in the company of a fire truck.  She lost, among other things, the business she had set up with her husband, next to what used to be their house. In that place she sold fast food, towels, sunscreen, sunshades, hats, bags, among many other things. Today Maruca dreams of moving back in and rebuilding her life.

After the fire, when we returned and noticed that my 14 machines had been lost and our store was in ashes, my two daughters, one 52 and the other 54, started crying, they told me: "Mommy, what are we going to do? That's when my strength came to me and I told them: we have two legs and two hands, fire will not defeat us".

-Did you always have that strength?

-The only thing that has thrown me was my father's departure, four years ago, but this fire will not defeat me. Besides, the help I started to receive from all over the country was enormous, so much love, who brought me the shoes I am wearing? I don't know, who brought me the clothes I am wearing? I don't know either, but I send them my love, because they have managed to keep me alive... For example, the Municipality of Yugay has treated me like a queen, from the cleaning staff to the health staff, they have all come to see me... What can I say about Hogar de Cristo, they are a treasure, look at that refrigerator, the microwave, the chairs, the dining room, they brought everything to me.  

Today the campaign, Together for Chile, of Hogar de Cristo, calls not to forget the compatriots who lost everything just four months ago. Thanks to the solidarity of all Chileans, they have already been able to equip 800 new houses (80% of the goal) with a kit that includes a dining table with 4 chairs, a 175 liter refrigerator, a microwave, a kettle, towels and glasses, which complement the equipment included in the houses provided by the State.