District Arlep: Solidarity in the face of severe flooding
In the days immediately following the severe flooding that caused extensive damage and casualties, especially in Paiporta and Sedaví, the Algo+ (“Something else”) Community of Paterna (Valencia) has been present, since Tuesday 29 October 2024, in the two municipalities most affected by the DANA*.
The Algo+ Community is a Lasallian community of 12 lay people who carry out their educational mission in the Colegio La Salle area of Paterna, in the Valencia-Palma Sector of the Arlep District (Spain and Portugal).
These have been hard days in which solidarity has become a true testimony for the whole world. “Difficult times will come,” says Isabel Mora, Directress of the Community, “as well as the awareness of what has been lost, the starting over, but that is where we must all be united in prayer and action, so that everything rises again and the pain disappears”.
“Our group of teachers and young people from La Salle Paterna is accompanying the affected people, some of them Lasallians, who have lost a lot and need all the help they can get,” Isabel Mora continues. “We are providing water, food, tools, hands to clean, remove mud, throw away furniture that is now unusable. But above all we are there to give hugs and moral support. There is still much to be done in the spirit of good neighbourly solidarity’.
“We invite all Lasallians,” Isabel continues, “to continue to support the people affected by the disaster with as much effort as possible because, as we know, many small people, in many small places, doing many small things … bear much fruit”.
The group of volunteers of the Algo+ Community issued a very touching and meaningful statement on what is happening in these days of despair and disaster: “When life changes you in a second, you realise how insignificant you are. Seeing so many people who have lost their homes, their furniture, devices, photos, memories, all their documents … is difficult; however, they are all grateful to be alive”.
The Visitor of the Arlep District, Brother Esteban de Vega, also expressed his support in a communication addressed to all those affected by the tragedy. He said he was shocked by the news and images from the Valencia-Palma Sector, as well as by the death toll, which is high. Fortunately, no Lasallians lost their lives, said Brother Esteban in his message of sympathy, although property and homes were badly affected.
“We send this message to the whole District, but we address it directly to the whole Lasallian Family of the Valencia-Palma Sector. It is a way of telling you that all the Lasallians of Arlep are at your side. You can count on our solidarity and our prayers. And above all on our desire to help you in whatever you need,” continued Brother Esteban in his communication.
For more information and to donate: https://www.lasalle.es/124-uncategorised/4056-la-salle-accion-social-anima-a-colaborar-para-ayudar-a-los-afectados-por-la-dana