Mari Mirenda

Colombia gave me a home. Now it’s my turn to give something back. ❤️ My name is Mari. I am Italian, and I am currently in Colombia. This incredible country welcomed me, embraced me and gave me so many beautiful moments — friendships, smiles, experiences, warmth and a sense of belonging that I will always be grateful for. Following the devastating earthquake, I am raising funds to bring essential aid directly to affected communities in Buenaventura and Chocó — including areas where logistical challenges mean help is harder to reach. On August 10th, Colombia was struck by a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake Colombia with its epicentre in Chocó The earthquake was felt across a large part of the country and caused significant damage and disruption in many communities. Chocó and the Buenaventura areas have been severely affected, while other areas across the Coffee Region (Eye Cafetero)— including Pereira, Manizales and Armenia — as well as Cali and surrounding communities, have also experienced the impact and are facing urgent needs. Behind every number is a person. A family waiting for news. A home that has been damaged or destroyed. Someone who has lost everything. Kids that have lost their families, and viceversa. Someone who needs medical care. Someone who simply needs clean water, food and a safe place to sleep. In the aftermath of a disaster of this scale, people need help with the essentials — food, clean water, medicines, medical supplies, emergency shelter, hygiene products and other basic necessities. Humanitarian organisations and local communities are already working to respond to the emergency, but the needs are enormous. This is why I am asking for your help. I created this fundraiser because I want to give something back to a country that has given me so much. 100% of the funds raised through this campaign will be used to support people and communities affected by the earthquake. The aim is to direct the available funds where they can make the greatest difference, according to the needs on the ground and the amount raised. The funds will be allocated according to the most urgent needs identified on the ground and the amount raised. The intended areas of support include: Food and drinking water Medicines and medical supplies Emergency shelter and essential household items Hygiene and sanitation products Clothing and other basic necessities Support for local communities and relief initiatives responding to the emergency. Because the situation is evolving, the exact allocation may change depending on where the need is greatest at the time the funds are distributed. I will share updates on how the funds are used and, wherever possible, the organisations, community initiatives or relief efforts they support. My aim is to keep this campaign as transparent as possible and to make sure donations reach people who genuinely need assistance. Every donation matters. £5. £10. £20 Or anything you can It might feel small to one person, but when hundreds or thousands of people come together, those small contributions can become something powerful. I know there is already help coming from people around the world. But Colombia needs us now. This is not about how much one person can give. It is about what we can do together. A single drop of water is small. But millions of drops make an ocean. If Colombia has ever made you smile, touched your heart, welcomed you, or simply means something to you — please consider giving whatever you can. And if you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser is already a way to help. Let’s stand together with the people of Colombia during this heartbreaking moment. Thank you for being part of this. United, we can make a difference. ❤️ With gratitude, Mari UPDATE: How the Funds Will Reach Affected Communities The first priority will be to support people in Buenaventura, one of the affected cities where access to aid has been more difficult due to logistical challenges. A portion of the funds will be sent directly to a trusted local person who is coordinating the arrival and distribution of essential aid in Buenaventura, including food, drinking water, hygiene kits, clothing, medicines and other basic necessities. Another portion of the funds will go directly towards supporting communities in Chocó, the region where the earthquake's epicentre was located. Chocó is historically one of Colombia's most vulnerable and difficult-to-reach regions, with many remote communities already facing significant poverty and limited access to essential services. The earthquake has added another layer of hardship, particularly in some of the most remote villages where reaching people with emergency assistance can be especially difficult. I plan to travel to Chocó myself in the coming weeks, bringing as many essential goods and supplies as the funds allow, so that I can support communities directly and better understand where help is most urgently needed. One of my goals is to identify a family or small community in particular need and, where possible, adopt their situation for ongoing support, rather than providing only one-off assistance. To keep the campaign transparent, I will share updates on how the funds are being used, what supplies are purchased, where they are delivered, and the people and communities receiving support. We are already getting close to our first fundraising goal, but there is still a long way to go. The more funding we can raise, the more people we can reach — especially those in remote areas who are often the hardest to reach and the easiest to overlook. -------------- Colombia me ha dado tanto. Ahora es mi turno de devolver un poco.❤️ Soy Mari, italiana, y este país me ha acogido y regalado momentos, amistades y experiencias que siempre llevaré conmigo. Tras el devastador terremoto del 10 de agosto, muchas comunidades necesitan ayuda urgente, desde Chocó y Buenaventura hasta Cali, el Eje Cafetero y otras zonas afectadas. He creado esta campaña para apoyar a las personas afectadas. El 100% de lo recaudado será destinado a ayudar donde más se necesite, mediante alimentos, agua, medicamentos, suministros de emergencia y otras necesidades esenciales. Cada aporte cuenta. Y si no puedes donar, compartir también ayuda. ❤️ Juntos podemos hacer la diferencia. Donemos, para ayudar esta gente. Gracias, Mari -------------- La Colombia mi ha dato tanto. Ora tocca a me restituire qualcosa❤️ Sono Mari, italiana, e questo Paese mi ha accolta e regalato momenti, amicizie ed esperienze che porterò sempre con me. Dopo il devastante terremoto del 10 agosto, molte comunità hanno bisogno urgente di aiuto: da Chocó e Buenaventura a Cali, all’Eje Cafetero e alle altre zone colpite. Ho creato questa raccolta per sostenere le persone e le comunità colpite. Il 100% dei fondi raccolti sarà destinato all’aiuto dove ce n’è più bisogno, attraverso cibo, acqua, medicinali, beni di prima necessità e altri aiuti di emergenza. Ogni contributo conta. E se non puoi donare, anche condividere può fare la differenza. ❤️ Insieme possiamo fare la differenza. Doniamo per aiutare queste persone. Grazie, Mari