Latin American Community Unites to Support Relief Efforts in Quake Ravaged El Salvador

Mansur Menvizabal walked up to the second floor of Tom Brazil Restaurant and Lounge in Adams-Morgan, placed a $10 bill in a basket and danced his way into the middle of the room. "I could be at another club," said Mansur Menvizabal, 21. "But I decided to be here tonight to give back."

Menvizabal attended a party last week at Tom Brazil Restaurant and Lounge that benefitted the relief efforts in earthquake-stricken El Salvador. Guests paid a $10 cover charge, and all the proceeds went to Peace International, an organization that supports the indigenous people of El Salvador.

"I think this is a good time to get together to show support for the relief [efforts]," Menvizabal said. "A social gathering is a good way to fund raise."

Gabriel Rojo, party organizer, said parties had been organized after the Colombian earthquake, Honduran mudslides and the Dominican Republic earthquake. He began planning this event the day after the first Salvadoran earthquake.

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook Salvadoran ground on Jan. 13, killing 844 people. Seismologists have estimated that approximately 4,000 quakes and aftershocks have plagued El Salvador since, including last Tuesday's that measured 6.6 on the Richter scale killing 280 and Saturday's 5.3 quake which killed one. Millions have been left homeless and destitute, and aid amounts have been estimated to run into the billions after the first quake.

Last week's party at Tom Brazil's was a way for the young Latin American community in the District to support the relief efforts.

Claudia Vasquez, 21, of Northwest said her mom spoke to their Salvadoran relatives. Everyone was in good health, but most of them were sleeping outside, food was scarce and things were chaotic.

"People are very nervous and scared to rebuild because of all the aftershocks," Vasquez said.

Vasquez said she is encouraged that the relief effort has not dwindled in her community; she has helped out the efforts at her job and at her church.

"I'm involved in every way I can," Vasquez said.

"This community really unites when disaster strikes," said Judy Veloz, 25, of Northwest who came to the party with Vasquez. "If it impacts one person, it impacts everyone else."

Veloz works at the Latin American Youth Center where the young people raised $1,000 for the relief efforts. "It's our responsibility to help each other," Veloz said.

Another partyer, Marta Urquilla, president of El Salvador Americans said there has been a question as to whether the younger generation was getting involved in the relief efforts.

"I think it's great and important that younger [people] get involved in the cause," Urquilla said.

Ted G. Loza, Latino Liaison for Councilman Jim Graham, showed his support by coming to the party. He said that on the same night of the first earthquake, St. Gabriel Church at 26 Grant Circle began organizing relief efforts. Since that night, the church has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Loza said there are efforts being made in the District to adopt a city in El Salvador and concentrate on rebuilding that particular city.

"People have come here from El Salvador, from hardships," Loza said. He said that obstacles such as war, economic downfall, earthquakes and hurricanes brought Salvadorans to the United States. "That area has been struck with one [disaster] after another, and the community here knows what it's like to be in need and is quick to give."


E-mail Kelli D. Esters at kdesters@howard.edu.