Dear friends, 

I don't know if you've heard... but my beautiful country, Ecuador, had a major earthquake (7.8) this weekend. To date, there are more than 250 dead and more than 2500 injured... and some cities haven't even been reached (because there are no routes to get there because they fell apart during the earthquake). It is estimated that these numbers will increase enormously in the next few days (http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/17/americas/ecuador-deadly-earthquake/).

Anyone who knows me knows how proud I am of being an Ecuadorian and how much I love my country. Being away from it is very hard, especially when this kind of disaster happens. That's why I want to help out in the only way I can possibly help right now, which is raising money and sending it all so medicine, food supplies, etc., can be bought and sent to the people who are in great need of it. So that's why I've created this fundraising campaign... every dollar helps! Please, if you find it in your heart, make a donation... hundreds of Ecuadorians will be very grateful, starting from me. 

Our family in Ecuador (in Quito) have started a process to purchase blankets, mattresses, medicine, food, and water that will be loaded in several trucks to make it out to areas affected by the earthquake this Saturday (Apr.  23, 2016). If you would like to make a donation, we will send it to my family in Ecuador who are coordinating these efforts, we will be grateful.
 
Thank you, and God bless. 

Maria Fernanda