Hello Everyone,

On the morning of August 10, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, causing severe damage across several communities, including areas of western Colombia and the Coffee Region.

For me, this disaster is deeply personal. I am from Manizales, one of the main cities affected by the earthquake, and I have family and relatives in Dosquebradas, Pereira, Marcella y Cali.

Members of my family and very close friends suffered major damage to their homes and apartments. They are now facing the difficult reality of rebuilding their lives after seeing years of work, sacrifice, memories, and security disappear in a matter of moments.

Our Initial Goal: £50,000

I am raising an initial £50,000 to provide direct recovery and rebuilding assistance to families personally affected by the earthquake.

• First Priority: Helping members of my family and close friends who lost their homes or sustained severe structural damage. We will explicitly prioritise individuals and families who have no insurance. While most multi-family block buildings in Colombia carry structural insurance, single-family dwellings rarely follow the same trend, leaving independent homeowners completely unprotected and entirely out-of-pocket.

• Secondary Scope: As resources allow, extending assistance to other uninsured families in the affected local communities who are facing devastating housing losses.

This fundraiser is not intended to replace everything that was lost—it is about helping families without insurance take the first meaningful steps toward rebuilding.

Architectural Oversight & Effective Fund Management

As an architect, I am bringing my professional background in structural design and building construction directly to this effort. This technical background drastically changes how these funds will be managed:

• Targeted Prioritisation: I can accurately evaluate reports of structural damage to determine which homes require urgent stabilisation, ensuring funds go where they are most critically needed first.

• Cost Efficiency: I will review repair estimates, material lists, and contractor quotes to ensure pricing is fair, avoiding inflated costs and preventing waste.

• Quality & Safety: Money won't just be handed out randomly; it will go toward proper structural solutions, quality building materials, and qualified tradespeople so that rebuilt homes are safe, durable, and structurally sound.

How the Funds Will Be Used

The money raised will directly cover:

• Temporary Housing: Rent and emergency shelter for displaced families who can no longer safely live in their homes.

• Construction Materials: Concrete, brick, steel, roofing materials, electrical supplies, plumbing fixtures, doors, windows, and structural essentials needed for repairs and rebuilding.

• Skilled Construction Labour: Paying qualified local workers, contractors, electricians, plumbers, and tradespeople needed to make damaged structures safe again.

• Essential Household Items: Replacing beds, basic furniture, cooking equipment, appliances, clothing, and everyday necessities.

• Emergency Living Expenses: Supporting displaced families with food, transportation, and immediate necessities.

What Your Donation Means

Every single donation makes an impact:

Contribution Direct Impact

£25 will provide immediate household necessities and food supplies.

£50 will purchase basic building materials or emergency repair supplies.

£100 will contribute towards structural repairs, tools, or essential furniture.

£250 will make a meaningful contribution toward construction materials or skilled labour.

£500 will help cover a significant portion of the cost of an emergency repair or temporary housing.

£1,000+ will make a substantial contribution toward fully rebuilding an uninsured family's home.

When many people contribute what they can, individual donations turn into walls, roofs, doors, beds, kitchens, and eventually homes again.

Transparency & Accountability

I understand that asking people to donate requires complete trust. I want everyone who contributes to understand exactly where their support goes.

As funds are distributed, I will post regular campaign updates showing:

• Which recovery projects are actively being supported.

• Photographs of structural damage, active construction work, and finished progress.

• Updates and messages from the families receiving assistance.

• Major purchases or construction milestones reached.

• Clear breakdowns of how funds are transferred and used on the ground in Colombia.

Personal financial information will remain private, but every reasonable effort will be made to show donors the real-world impact of their generosity.

Why I Am Asking for Your Help

For many of us, a home represents much more than just a physical building. It represents years of hard work, family dinners, birthdays, safety, and security.

For several people close to me—who have no insurance policy to rely on—that security disappeared in a matter of seconds.

I cannot rebuild everything myself. But I realised that I have something incredibly valuable here in the United States: a community. Friends, coworkers, neighbours—people who may have never visited Colombia, but who deeply understand what it means to lose a home.

How You Can Help Right Now

1. Donate What You Can: Whether it is £10, £25, £50, £100, or more, every bit brings an uninsured family closer to stability.

2. Share This Campaign: If you cannot donate right now, sharing this link on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or via email is just as powerful. One share can reach the person who was looking for a way to help.

From the United States to Colombia

Although I live in the United States, Colombia will always be a part of who I am. These are people I know, families I care about, and communities that mean the world to me.

My hope is that this campaign creates a bridge between people here who want to help and families there who desperately need it.

We cannot undo what happened, but together, we can help rebuild what comes next. One family, one room, one wall, and one home at a time.

Thank you for your time, your generosity, and your support.

With gratitude,

Robinson Hinestroza