Zilda Arns dies in earthquake in Haiti

Dr Zilda Arns, a lifetime dedicated to helping children in need.

Dr Zilda Arns, 76, pediatrician and sanitarian, was the founder of one of Brazil's best-known non-governmental organizations, Pastoral da Criança, Pastoral care for Children. She traveled last week to Haiti to attend a missionary meeting, according to Dr Arns's press office. She was over there to teach methods for fighting malnutrition.

She was walking along the streets of Haiti when the quake happened. Dr Arns died under debris.

Through Dr. Arns tireless efforts, more than 2 million children are assisted by her project, spreading it over 20 countries. She was once nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Arns also was the founder and national coordinator for the Pastoral Care of the Elderly, both organizations are social action of the National Conference of Bishops of Brasil, CNBB.

She was a fighter, a great human being! The greatest one!

“When I go to communities where the Pastoral da Crianças is present, women hug me as if I was an old friend”. They tell me their lives have been changed by it. They tell me they feel like real doctors. And it makes me happy to know that I have made people happy”.

Dr. Zilda Arns

1935-2010

Haiti!

Port-au-Price, Haiti, January 13th, 2010

As everybody may know, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake yesterday. Major buildings including offices, hotels and shops collapsed over Haiti's population! It's estimated that more than 3 million people are directly affected by it and about 100 thousand may have died.
The capital, Port-au-Price is destroyed. It's a extremely sad!

Thank God, Haiti is getting help from all over the world and more than ever people need to get together to help those who lost they beloved, their hopes, their belongs.

You can make a donation to Red Cross by your amazon.com account. It's simples, fast and you will be helping the victims of Haiti. Just go Red Cross website, fill out the donation form and you'll see the amazon.com payment option right there. I just did!

The misery that Haiti people is going through is beyond words.

Our thoughts, prays and support are with the people of Haiti.

A Subway Collapses

A subway station in construction collapses yesterday in São Paulo, the biggest city in Brasil with a population of over 11 million, creating an enormous crater.
Until now, eight people that were in a minibus are reported missing after it fell into a huge and deep hole at the time the ground opened up just like in an earthquake!
Eyewitness reported that an explosion was heard just before this mishap!

I just hope that the rescue team finds those 8 victims alive!