Hope Survived the Earthquakes

July 13, 2026: Maria Victoria Udcategui Machado could not get through to her aunt and 7-year-old niece with special needs in Venezuela after their apartment building was obliterated in the recent earthquakes there.

Machado, a Venezuela native, was trying to text them for 62 hours from her home in Verona, Wis.

“Messages weren’t getting to her; the people we had contact with said that her building completely fell,” Machado told Spectrum News 1. “It was one of the most affected areas, where all the buildings fell completely down. Shattered down.”

Family friends in Venezuela searched nonstop for the woman and child.

“There was no type of contact with her,” Machado said.

Still, she had hope. Her hope had survived the earthquakes.

Finally, after 62 hours, a message came through: “I’m okay. We lost everything.”

The news was uplifting, despite the devastation, Machado said.

“We still have her here, and we’re able to give her a hug when we can,” she said. “That just means the world to us. That’s when you know that materialistic things aren’t anything.”

Employer encouraged hope and generosity

Machado, who works at Play Zone Café,  said the support of her employer and colleagues helped her through the hours of worry and doubt.

Even though the café is full of happy children, it was difficult to escape the constant, gnawing fear that Machado and her friends and family were feeling, sad café owner Fabiola Meschisi.

Play Zone is encouraging people who can donate to victims of the earthquakes.

Numerous charities are collecting donations, including Catholic Relief Services and UNICEF.

Be sure to verify the charity first when donating.

The Bright Side

Even if you’re not directly affected by a tragic situation, you can support those who are with emotional support or financial donations. Supporting those in need can remove the helpless feeling from both those looking for help and those looking to help.

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For another story about surviving against all odds, read this article about a tiny 13-pound calf being born prematurely.