HURRICANE

SANDY
BY PAULINA PESTRYAKOV
ushing winds, heavy rain and flooding. Those were all messy symptoms of a flu that hit Toronto recently. Luckily, we didnt deal with the mess of the flu severely, but other countries experienced a higher fever. The fatal virus is known as Hurricane Sandy. What may have seemed to be your typical tropical storm in the US and Caribbean was most certainly not the case this time around. Cuba, the Bahamas, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were victims of this Hurricane in the Caribbean, where the effects were much stronger. News reports covered the tragic events, but little is reported on how the Latin community was affected here in Toronto. Alain Hernandez, a 21 year-old student at Seneca College is of Cuban decent. As a newcomer to Canada, he was tragically affected by the hurricane, even though he wasnt there at the time of the occurrence. I have plenty of family in Cuba, in my city of Havana, he says. I am trying to send them money and materials just so that everything can get back to normal. They already dont have as much as we do, here in Toronto, and with this happening, it is making things over there worse, but I am thankful they are getting back to their daily routine and nobody was hurt. This is shocking because in my time living there, nothing this strong has ever happened back home. Other Latin-Canadians were also affected by the natural disaster, even those who hail from countries where the storm merely just grazed communities. My country was not hit by Sandy as hard as Cuba, but my heart goes out to all those who are dealing with the problems after the storm, exclaims Minerva Diaz, a working Dominican mother in Scarborough. Almost my whole family lives in my country [Dominican Republic] and I am so glad nobody was killed there. Yes, villages and bridges were destroyed, but those things can be repaired; death cannot. Cuba had so many deaths and so did my countrys next door neighbour, Haiti, so I am very upset for these countries who have nothing. Our country, especially the Latin community here should do something to help these nations. In hopes of getting some sort of commentary on the effects of Sandy in these nations, Maria Maria hoped to get in touch with Latin Life News and Toronto Hispano, but received no response on the issue.

NEWS

...affects Latin souls

They already dont have as much as we do, here in Toronto, and with this happening, it is making things over there worse .
There have been no reports or articles written stating that the Latin community of Toronto or even Canada is reaching out to support victim countries of the hurricane. Understandbly, Canada is reaching out in providing some sort of relief to these countries by making donations, but there needs to be more done by Latino-Canadians. Despite personal support in assisting nations, there are no Latino-Canadian organizations that are in the media, demonstrating support for victims. If there are any organizations of Latin decent that are providing assistance for fellow Latin nations that were hurt by Sandy, nothing has come forth in the media, which represents, as Fernando Valladares, founder of the Las Flores foundation, said recently, Latino businesses in Toronto do not have good marketing. Bridges were destroyed, buildings bombarded and communities services interferred, but what stays together and keeps hope alive is positivity in victim countries.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIP TO CAYO SANTA MARIA, CUBA IN AUGUST OF 2012 BEFORE HURRICANE SANDY STRUCK IN NOVEMBER

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PAGINA p.aji.na 17 diecisiete (dee.es.cee.see.yet.ay)