Native Chilean prays for her family’s safety
JOE Arce and TONY BALANDRAN

Kansas City resident Lucila Rogers received a phone call early Saturday morning and learned that a massive earthquake had struck the central part of Chile, where most of her family still resides.

“I was crying while watching the television,” Rogers told Hispanic News. “When I saw the people suffering, I also felt like I was suffering.

When this happened in Haiti, I felt bad because I could see how people were suffering without enough food or housing.”

Immediately, she thought of her family and prayed for their safety.

Rogers immigrated to the United States in 1979 while Chile was in the midst of political unrest. She and her only brother settled in the Kansas City area. They have a sister in Mexico City, and 11 other sisters in Chile.

All of her sisters are safe, but the extent of the structural damage in Santiago, Chile, and its surrounding cities are not yet clear to her.
“If I had the money I would like to go back,” Rogers said. “I would like to be with my family and do something for them. There is nothing more important than helping family.”

The death toll from the quake earlier this week stood about 700 to 800, but Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she is certain the number will grow more than a 1,000.

Bachelet, who is leaving office next week, declared several sections of central Chile “zones of catastrophe.” President-elect Sebastion Pinera, who is scheduled to be sworn in March 11, has vowed to rebuild the damaged areas of Chile.

Although Rogers knows her siblings have survived the quake, all she can do is wait and hope for their continued safety.
“I’m nervous because I’m very far away,” she said. “I don’t know what else to do but pray.”

She prays for her native country and sends email messages to her extended family and friends.

“I’ve tried to call, but the lines were down. There was no phone service.”

She knows that one of her sisters who lives just outside Santiago has allowed neighbors to come into her home, allowing them to recharge their cell phones or plug in their refrigerators to preserve their food.

“There are many deaths there, and many who are homeless or without power,” Rogers said. “They are in a bad situation.”