When a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia in early August, the disaster claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed almost 30,000 homes. Among the many families left without shelter were three elderly uncles of Northern Virginia educator Andrea Steger.
Local teacher steps up for family abroad
Andrea Steger, who teaches English‑language learners at a school in Manassas Park, learned that her uncles—Ramiro, Efraín and Leo—lost the houses they had built over a lifetime. Leo also battles advanced Parkinson’s disease, making the loss even more urgent.
“The closest town is getting help with building materials and construction workers, but my uncles live about 40 minutes away in a remote rural community,” Steger explained. “There is not really anybody going to those rural areas to help.”
Fundraising effort aims to rebuild two homes
Immediately after the quake, Steger’s coworkers contributed money for food, clothing and medication, but housing remained the greatest need. Determined to fill that gap, she launched an online fundraising campaign with a goal of $20,000. The funds will be used to construct two new homes for her uncles and their families, providing a safe, permanent place to live.
“Everything happens too close to the other,” Steger said, referencing the back‑to‑back earthquakes in Venezuela and the flash floods in Nepal that followed. “At the beginning, there were a lot of people trying to help, but I feel like at this point everybody’s forgetting about it. I just want to make sure that we are still getting help because there are a lot of people who lost everything.”
Why the appeal matters for rural Colombians
The quake struck on Aug. 10, just weeks after devastating tremors in neighboring Venezuela and before deadly floods in Nepal. International aid has been stretched thin, and remote Colombian communities often receive assistance later than urban centers. Steger’s campaign highlights the ongoing need for targeted support to reach those isolated areas.
Donors can contribute directly through the fundraising page, which provides updates on the construction progress and the families’ recovery. Steger hopes the effort will inspire other members of the Northern Virginia community to extend a helping hand to those suffering abroad.
How to help
Readers interested in supporting the cause can visit the campaign’s website, share the link with friends and family, or organize local collection drives for non‑monetary items such as clothing and medical supplies. By rallying together, the Manassas Park community can make a tangible difference for a family still reeling from a natural disaster half a world away.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
