History of Long Island for Colombia

On the afternoon of January 25, 1999, just as the citizens of the Colombian city of Armenia enjoyed their traditional lunch break, they were surprised with an earthquake, with an epicenter 17 kilometers south of there, which devastated the Coffee Growing Region: It made ruins in that city and nearby towns, left more than 2,000 dead, thousands injured and 30,000 families were left without a roof over their heads; the pain and anguish altered their lives forever.

Upon knowing the news here in the USA, a group of Colombians, invited by Mrs. Zahira Castillo, got together to respond to the call for help from our people, it is how Long Island for Colombia is born.

Long Island for Colombia, a non-profit organization, begins to work with enthusiasm and accepts donations, organizes raffles, marathons, dances and other activities with the purpose of raising money and basic necessities, to send there.

A number of members from the organization, decide to travel at their expense, to the disaster zone, to verify the damage, returning determined to work much harder.

Three years later, at the conclusion of joint construction projects with FOREC, the airline company ACES and El Minuto de Dios, we were able to give 27 houses, in the neighborhood called "La Grecia Mujeres Siglo XXI".

In these projects worked Mr. Jorge Luis Gándara, as project chief and Mr. Daniel Ballén, social worker, assigned by El Minuto de Dios and the engineers Mr. Diego Guerrero Castillo, Dean of the University of Quindío and Mr. Klebber Naranjo, a professor at that same University, members of our sister organization, Long Island for Colombia-Armenia.

A group of our members traveled again, at their own expense, to give the 27 houses, which was very emotional, headed by Father Diego Jaramillo, director of El Minuto de Dios.

Once this goal was completed, the organization did not cease and continues working, it is thus that in 2002 8 houses were constructed in Montería, in combination with El Minuto de Dios, and funds were also sent to help those displaced by the violence in Putumayo.

The expression "this young organization has accomplished so much, is motivating to continue working for a noble cause to help others. Our slogan "Your support is shelter for the poor", speaks for itself!