Rebuild the Velez Home in Ecuador
Please help the Velez Family rebuild their home!
On April 16th, 2016, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused death and massive destruction along the central coast of Ecuador. The death toll continues to rise each day. More than 500 people were killed and thousands have been displaced as numerous homes, buildings, hospitals and roads were damaged or destroyed. We are fortunate in that our family is safe and unharmed, however their home suffered irreparable damage.
My name is Danielle Velez and I live in Knoxville, TN. My husband, Miguel Velez was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. We met in 2004 and were married in 2005. We lived in Guayaquil for almost 4 years until we moved back to the U.S.
Miguel has three brothers, who live with their families in Ecuador. His oldest brother, Hugo, lives in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (Ecuador) with his wife, Viviana, and their two children, Joshua and Nathaly. 
(Hugo and other members of Miguel's family)
On April 16 they were at church when they felt the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the town of Pedernales, Ecuador. Santo Domingo los Tsáchilas is about 2 hours driving distance (124 km) from the quake site. Saturday evening, they spent the night at Viviana's parent's house which is closer in town. When they returned home, they found their home in complete disarray. At least 5 walls had crumbled under the pressure. Windows were broken out from the force of the earthquake. You can see in the photos below the amount of damage they received.
Hugo and his wife Viviana worked and saved for close to 15 years to buy property and build their dream home on a beautiful piece of land outside the city. They began farming and have planted citrus trees, mango trees, pineapples plants, and stevia. They are right beside a river running through the tropical jungle terrain that has been their home for the past 5 years.
All they have worked for crumbled in a matter of minutes. They are currently staying with family, but are unable to live in their house, especially with the continuing aftershocks that threaten to crumble their unstable home even further. As you can image, the type of damage they received is not covered under insurance. They still owe a considerable amount to the bank for their home.
Surveyors came to look at the remainder of the house to see what was salvageable. They have declared the house unfit and recommended that they demolish the house since the foundation of the house has shifted and the support pillars are cracked. 
(photos of the inside of their home after the earthquake)
It breaks my heart that after so many years of saving and living with family members and renting... their dream home is now crushed. Viviana wanted to begin a place where people could come away from the city and learn to live off of the land, eat healthy and be healed.
I know many of our family and friends have asked how they can help. I also know that many people want to give but are unsure of how funds will be spent that are given to large organizations.
Miguel and I will withdraw the funds and all donations will be sent to Hugo Velez and his family (via western union) in Santo Domingo los Tsáchilas, Ecuador and used to rebuild their home.
Thank you for helping support our family!
This is a photo of Hugo (left) and my husband Miguel (right).