Although chances for a major quake on any given day are very slim, there are more then a few doomsayers who prophesy more destruction. The continuing aftershocks have fueled those fears. Residents of San Vicente use lumber pushed up against damaged walls to keep them from collapsing further. With training and financial support from the American Red Cross, local mental health staffers and Salvadoran Red Cross volunteers have been helping quake victims deal with those fears. After not one, but two major earthquakes and countless aftershocks, they have had their hands full counseling people emotionally affected by the quakes.
Children deserve special consideration.
Josue Bonilla is a volunteer with the Salvadoran Red Cross Mental Health Brigade. After expressing his feelings and getting rid of all of his negative energy, he took me by the hand, and became more friendly. Through various visits with the children, Josue and other volunteers are experiencing the satisfaction of seeing a change for the better among the young people. Many roads have been cleared of debris, allowing people to pass through mounds of rubble. Despite the rewards, the past two months' work has not been easy for thousands of Salvadoran Red Cross volunteers like Josue.