Stories from the field
Joel Augustin – Surviving a Sea of Rubble
By Alison Frehlich, Canadian Red Cross
November 18, 2010
Joel Augustin was at his home when the January 12th earthquake struck. The earth began to shake and his first thoughts were of his family. Where were they? Were they okay?
“I was really scared,” recalls Joel. “My house collapsed and it felt like I was swimming in a sea of rubble.”
Luckily, each member of Joel’s family, which includes his wife and seven children, were safe and unhurt. Upon learning that his family was okay, Joel took stock of the situation and started to make order of his life.
“At first I received a tent and tarp for my family from the Canadian Red Cross,” says Joel. “I started to feel better after receiving this.”
Joel and his family lived in a tent for several months before moving into a wooden Red Cross shelter, which is earthquake resistant and can withstand powerful hurricane-force winds. “I’m very happy to live in this shelter now. I feel protected and secure in it, especially if another earthquake strikes.”
The front portion of Joel’s house is still standing, and his new shelter sits where the back portion of his house once stood. He now uses the front portion as his tailoring workshop. Despite the loss of his home, Joel feels happy that his family is safe and that he can continue to provide for them.
