飛べfly high!

As someone who survived a devastating earthquake in 2016, which left me with severe PTSD at the age of 12, I know a little of what so many people there are experiencing right now. I know what it's like to jump at every vibration, to be terrified of sleeping indoors, to wait for the next aftershock, and to feel like the ground beneath you can never truly be trusted again, and to desperatly wait for your family members to walk through that door alive. What happened in Venezuela isn't "just another earthquake." On June 24, the country was struck by two extremely powerful earthquakes, a magnitude 7.2 followed just seconds later by a magnitude 7.5. That second quake hit before many people had even processed the first, causing catastrophic damage across northern Venezuela, especially in La Guaira and parts of Caracas. Rescue teams are still searching through collapsed buildings, and the number of victims continues to rise as more people are found. My heart especially aches for the children, because disasters don't only destroy buildings, they leave families separated, people displaced, and children at a much greater risk of exploitation and trafficking. In moments like these, fear and desperation become opportunities for predators, which is why protecting vulnerable people must be just as important as rescue efforts. The picture below you is an actual child/people trafficking disguised as online shop, please take a look at it:

To everyone in Venezuela: your grief is seen, and your fear is valid. And to those who are spending another night outside because they're too afraid to go back into their homes, I hope you know that people around the world are thinking of you. If you've never experienced an earthquake before, please don't tell survivors to "just calm down." Trauma doesn't disappear once the shaking stops, sometimes the hardest part begins afterward. Here are some links that I've seen so far to help.

Caritas Venezuela (LINK HERE): Known as the helping hand of the Church that reaches out to the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized, regardless of race or religion, to build a world founded on justice and brotherly love.

Diviendo Voluntariado (LINK HERE): A civil association that brings together efforts from the private sector and adds value to corporate social responsibility initiatives, in partnership with social development organizations, authorities, agencies, and communities, with the aim of promoting actions that improve the quality of life for people in Venezuela.

Yummy Rides Donations (LINK HERE): A ride-sharing mobile app that operates primarily in Venezuela, designed to book safe and affordable rides by car or motorcycle that joined the cause.

Help find their mascosts: TWITTER POST HERE

THIS WEBPAGE was created by a Venezuelan with certified channels to help (donating, voluntaring, look for people, food and clothes.)

GOOGLE DOCS with links as well in both languages SPA/ENG

CURRENT TWITTER POSTS THAT UPDATE LINKS TO HELP VENEZUELA (will update this everytime i get):

POST #1

POST #2

you sigh, picking at the food in front of you. not that the boy across from you notices. he’s too absorbed in his phone, scrolling with a small smile on his face.

what is so interesting?, you wonder. what is so interesting that it takes precendence over talking to me for just a bit?

“y/n”, he laughs a bit, looking up at you with a small smile. and despite all your inner turmoil, you can’t help but smile back at the sight of the boy you’ve been crushing on for years looking so happy.

but not because of you.

“hm?”

“onedoor are so funny. look,” he shows you his phone screen. on it is a meme of him, edited to look like a pepper.

you nod, exhaling slightly. “mm. very funny.”

he chuckles to himself and settles back into his chair, no doubt typing out a reply. he’s been like this the whole day. first at the movies, now at this restaurant. always ignoring you.

when did this happen?

so many years ago, he had looked at you like you hung the stars in the sky. when you had told him he should go for his dream of becoming an idol, he’d thanked you for believing in him.

where had that gotten you now?

“today was nice,” riwoo hums as the two of you approach your home. the neighborhood that riwoo grew up in as well. you remember running back from school with him, laughing as you raced down the street, shouts of who would get a sweet treat first echoing in your mind.

“yeah,” you say, but your chest feels hollow.

riwoo stops in front of your walkway, and you stop too. he stares at your face for a moment, dark eyes studying your features, before his gaze dips down to your lips. he steps closer, hands coming up to cup your cheeks, leaning in, coming closer and closer and closer-

“riwoo!” you snap, pushing him away, stumbling back. your chest is heaving, your heartbeat is pounding in your ears, and you’re sure you’re wearing a matching look of bewilderment as the one on riwoo’s face.

“what- y/n?” he sputters, eyes wide.

“was that- were you trying to kiss me!?”

“no- yes- i just- at the end of the first date, don’t people usually,-”

“god,” you groan, pinching the bridge of your nose. “this isn’t a stupid movie, riwoo.”

“i’m trying to make this a good date for you!”

“you’re trying?” you scoff. “listen. when i confessed to you, did you accept my feelings just so you wouldn’t hurt my feelings?”

he’s silent. and that’s all the confirmation that you need.

“you’ve changed, riwoo. if you don’t like me,” you begin, crossing your arms over your chest, “you could have at least been honest with me.”

riwoo shakes his head, eyes wide. “no, y/n, that’s not true. i do like you!”

“then why didn’t you treat me like you do?”

“i…”

“and i thought… oh, forget it,” you sigh. “we’re done.”

“what?”

“we’re done.”

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚ want to check out the planetarium's other exhibits?