Venezuelan youths traverse country to interpret for UK missions in earthquake zone

Carlos Aguilar, a 37-year-old football coach, and Israel Rivas, 24, embarked on arduous journeys from opposite sides of Venezuela to reach La Guaira, a coastal region devastated by earthquakes. Their shared recent history is one of traversing over 700 kilometers each to volunteer as interpreters for United Kingdom missions in the disaster zone.

Aguilar, who previously lived in Caracas, traveled from San Cristóbal in the western state of Táchira. Rivas journeyed from San Félix in the eastern state of Bolívar. Both were moved to act after witnessing videos of the catastrophic earthquakes, which struck on June 24, causing widespread destruction, thousands of deaths, and leaving many homeless.

Initially, they assisted UK rescue workers. Now, they serve as crucial communication links at a British field hospital in Caraballeda, translating for Venezuelan patients and medical personnel. Aguilar, who has family ties to the area, arrived on June 26 and began interpreting when he saw a communication breakdown between English-speaking personnel and locals. Rivas, who has a passion for languages, joined the effort on June 28, drawn by the arrival of international aid teams.

Both men express a profound sense of purpose. Aguilar, whose deployment is expected to last until August 14, acknowledges the need to see his family soon. Rivas stated his goal is to "help people and communicate a message of hope, of life and of faith." He added, "I knew that one day it would be useful for something."

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