The earthquake in Pijao
What we saw and what we did in the first weeks, August 2026.
What happened
On 10 August 2026 an earthquake struck Pijao, in Quindío. 318 homes were damaged and 7 were destroyed. No lives were lost.
Schools closed for several weeks; some have reopened and others are still being inspected. One of the rural schools we support also suffered a fire.
What the earthquake left behind
A home left without a roof after the earthquake 
A roof broken by the earthquake in a rural home 
Collapsed walls inside a family home after the earthquake 
Kitchen of a family home destroyed by the earthquake 
Roofing sheets and rubble outside a damaged house in the vereda 
Classroom of a rural school we support after the earthquake 
Fallen ceiling panels inside a school cafeteria after the earthquake The response
Neighbours starting to repair a roof torn open by the earthquake 
A jeep loaded with hoses, plastic sheeting and supplies for the veredas 
Loading a 1,000-litre water tank for an affected family 
Loading donated blankets for families in the veredas 
Volunteers sorting the donations that came in from the community 
Water tank, hose and roofing sheets ready for delivery What we did
With volunteers and the support of the community we reached 156 families: in the rural villages, among the elders of our programme and in town. We delivered food, mattresses, blankets, hoses, water tanks, hygiene kits and medicines.
Our scholars organised the reception, sorting and delivery of the aid that came in from across the community. The school gardens were harvested for the families and then replanted. Parents, neighbours and volunteers held a work day to clear a rural school.
The fire and the town
What comes next
Our priority is to keep the scholars’ studies on track while classes are online, and to support the rural school until it can reopen safely.
No minors appear in these photos: we protect their image.
Would you like to sow with us?
Your knowledge, your time or supplies that support our gardens become real opportunities for the rural communities of Pijao.