From Boston to Colombia: Earthquake Relief for Chocó & Pereira ❤️

Hi, my name is Lorena Johnson I was born in Chocó, Colombia, and grew up and studied in Pereira. These two places are more than locations on a map to me — they are home.

Almost five years ago, I moved to the Boston area with the intention of learning English and starting a new chapter of my life.

When I first arrived, I lived with my cousin and other relatives who, like me, have roots in Chocó and Pereira. They became an important part of my journey here, and over the years, Boston became another home for us.

Today, I work with children as a Spanish teacher in an after-school program, where I have the opportunity to share my language and Colombian culture with the community around me.

But no matter how far away we are, Colombia will always be home — and much of our family still lives in Chocó and Pereira.

❤️ “What can we do from here?”

When the earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, my family and I began seeing the images, hearing from our loved ones, and learning about what different communities were experiencing.

Watching everything unfold through our phones while being thousands of miles away was heartbreaking.

As a family, we started asking each other the same question:

“What can we do from here?”

That question is how this fundraiser began.

My cousin, our relatives, and I realized that even though we are far away, we have something incredibly valuable here in Boston: a community.

Today, we are asking our friends, coworkers, school families, neighbors, and the greater Boston community to join us in helping vulnerable people in Choco and Pereira — the places where our story began and where many of our loved ones still live.

❤️ How Your Donation Will Help

Our efforts will focus especially on provide food, drinking water, personal hygiene supplies, diapers, bedding, basic medicines, and other essential necessities, based on what these communities tell us they urgently need.

Through our family and trusted contacts in Colombia, we will communicate with these communities to understand their most urgent needs and use the donations to provide essential items such as:

* Food and drinking water

* Personal hygiene and cleaning supplies

* Diapers and other care products

* Sheets, blankets, and sleeping mats

* Basic medicines and health-related necessities

Whenever possible, these necessities will be purchased locally in Colombia, helping us get assistance to the community and the people they serve as efficiently as possible.

Every contribution can become food for a child, diapers or hygiene supplies for an older adult, clean sheets or a sleeping mat for someone who needs a safe place to rest, or another essential item during this difficult time.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We understand that when you donate, you are trusting us with something important.

As donations are distributed, we will share updates about the centers receiving assistance, what was purchased, and how the funds were used. Whenever possible, we will also share receipts, photos, and documentation of the assistance delivered.

We want everyone who supports this effort to be able to see the impact we are making together.

❤️ From Our Boston Family to Colombia

Almost five years ago, I came to Boston hoping to learn English. Along the way, I found friendships, opportunities, and a community that welcomed me and became part of my story.

Today, my family and I are asking that community to help us reach back home.

Chocó is where I was born.

Pereira is where I grew up and studied.

Boston is where we came together.

And Colombia will always be home. ❤️

Every donation matters — whether it is $5, $10, $20, or whatever you are able to contribute.

And if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing our fundraiser. One share can help this message reach someone who can.

From our family in Boston to the children, older adults, families, and communities back home:

Thank you for helping us help our people.

With love and gratitude,

Lorena, Maria, Yorle, Kary, Breiner

& the Boston community

❤️