Surviving the 'quake

Ludwin, 13, from El Salvador in Central America, survived an earthquake in January 2001. Global Gang interviewed him...

What happened when the earthquake struck?
I had just had breakfast. The dogs started barking like mad. My mum was cooking outside and the house just fell down. Luckily no one was inside, but everything was broken and destroyed. We lost our plates and dishes, our clothes and our beds. We were able to save all five mattresses, so we can sleep on them now.

Where are you living now?
Our house at the moment is made of bamboo sticks and plastic sheeting. That won't be any good when it rains, so we will need to build a house fast. We have been clearing the land to prepare for building a new house.

What have people where you live been doing since the earthquakes?
They have formed a group to help each other rebuild their houses. My dad belongs to it. So far they have been helping to clear the rubble. If there isn't enough money to buy materials to help my dad rebuild our house, then he will find a way to rebuild it on his own. He doesn't earn much money – he sells oranges that grow on the trees around here – so it will take a long time, but he will do it.

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Christian Aid/Judith Escribano

Ludwin by the place his house stood before the earthquake



Christian Aid/Judith Escribano

Ludwin outside the shelter his family are living in now. 'I get scared by earthquakes, but there aren't any dangers where we live now. The roof's only made of plastic, so if that falls down, it won't hurt us,' he says.