LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH Preparedness the key to survival, helping others

[Coss]

 

 

Yesterday the ground shook more violently than I've ever felt before. The building was rocking so hard we all lost our balance. Then the electricity went down and the whole computer room went dark. The shakes kept going, so we dived under the tables. Moments later they stopped and everyone rushed outside.

 

It was a relief to get out of the building. I couldn't believe what had happened. I thought of others, of my little brother, whether he was OK. There were tons of students walking out. We evacuated to the fields, away from large buildings in case the glass shattered down. Some people had more lectures that day; they didn't know whether to wait around or go home. I had to get home, though, to see if my little brother was all right.

 

I am living in Riccarton, Christchurch. This morning I was walking into the dining room in bare feet when I felt the force of the earth breaking up in my right foot. It was extremely strong and it gave me a great fright, but luckily it wasn't any bigger. Maybe Buddha saved me or perhaps it wasn't my time to go.

 

Last year the house shook so hard it woke us all up. I had taken a civil-defence course about a week before it happened, so I had the chance to help out at the Linwood Welfare Centre. We took care of people who no longer had a safe house to live in. Many of them were alone and needed someone to comfort them. There were babies, single mothers and elderly people. I worked day and night.

 

What were my feelings when the quake hit yesterday? At first I was frightened. In my 24 years of life and 12 years in New Zealand, I've never felt an earthquake so strong or long-lasting. Last year's quake was 7.1 magnitude. Yesterday's was only 6.3, but it felt so much more violent. I haven't studied geography in depth before so I don't understand why a 7.1-magnitude quake injured far fewer people than a 6.3 that took so many lives.

 

Some people are coping well, some are used to it from last year but there are new people who just arrived. They're in shock and cannot cope at all. But we're all humans and we're all in this together. I remember a really nice quote from my civil emergency preparedness course: "When it comes to an emergency, we're all equal." It's true.

 

I believe it's better to be prepared than taken by surprise. Join civil-defence teams, the Red Cross, St John's Ambulance. Take their courses and be trained by the professionals because you never know when your skills will come in handy.

 

Love,

 

Varisa Aschakulporn

 

Student

 

Christchurch

 

Link

 

 

[expat]

Glad to hear you're ok. I assume your little brother is ok too.