Let the volcano fall sleep again
By the look in the eyes of Angel, a 10-year-old boy, one can see what he’s lived through these past few days because of the eruption of the Tungurahua volcano. Angel now knows what extreme fear is. He remembers that he was having dinner with his family, when a loud noise made him stand still in his chair: “The noise was like a gunshot and I told my brother that we were sure to burn.” The neighbors ran out of their houses terrified. The volcano was ejecting burning rocks, columns of smoke and ash. Angel didn’t understand what he had to do, he didn’t even have time to take one of this toys. Fortunately, the inhabitants of Bilbao had received instructions about how and where to flee their town in the event of an eruption. During the day, Angel plays, or tries to participate in the recreational activities that are being organized. UNICEF has set up a “Play Corner” in the shelter of Cotaló with didactic toys, supplies for drawing and self-expression, balls, and mattresses. With volunteer psychologists it is coordinating psycho-social care for the children to help them cope as quickly as possible with the impact that hit them, the fear and drastic changes in their lives these past weeks. In the shelter, Angel misses his house, although there is no lack of food, he can play as much as he wants, and he’s made new friends to pass the time of day. But he still has many questions. He wants to know when he will be going home, when he will be going back to school, if the volcano will be erupting again. He wants to sleep in his own bed and run after his pigs and hens… For now he knows he’s in a safe place, but the roads are closed, full of mud and at home far away it is still dangerous.
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