Vicente Leal struggles to rebuild his dream after volcano destruction
- In September 2021, La Palma experienced a significant volcanic eruption, leading to widespread destruction.
- Vicente Leal lost his home, which he had spent 30 years building, and he has actively sought help to recover.
- A short film and fundraising campaign have been launched to support Vicente and neighbors in rebuilding their lives.
In the Canary Islands, a devastating volcanic eruption occurred in September 2021, leading to significant destruction on the island of La Palma. The eruption lasted for 85 days, resulting in the evacuation of over 5,000 residents and the destruction of around 1,000 homes. Among those affected was Vicente Leal, whose house was situated closest to the volcano's crater. Leal had dedicated three decades to constructing his dream home on inherited land, which overlooked a beautiful landscape of forest and sea. However, as lava approached, it buried his dream under ash, prompting him to refuse giving up and to fight for the recovery of his property. Despite the challenging circumstances, Vicente and his family, along with friends, took action amidst the eruption. They entered the danger zone, armed only with shovels, to locate and identify the chimney of their buried home. This determined move was motivated by a desire to mark where their home once stood, ensuring that the memory of their beloved house would remain intact. As of this year, Vicente continues to confront the monumental task of removing the ash that has overwhelmed his land. In his battle to rebuild, Vicente utilized social media to appeal for aid. His call to action reached Macaronesian Gin, the only gin in the Canary Islands made from water filtered through volcanic galleries. The gin company initiated a fundraising campaign, aimed at benefiting Vicente and other neighbors whose lives were disrupted by the volcano's fury. This initiative, known as Macaronesian Stories, seeks to instill a spirit of resilience among the affected community. As part of this campaign, a short film titled 'The dream that beat a volcano' was launched. This film showcases Vicente Leal's journey, focusing on his perseverance and the fight to reclaim his life after the eruption. Recently, an event was organized at Vicente's property, gathering personalities from the arts and community leaders to demonstrate solidarity with those impacted. They convened not only to support Vicente but also to celebrate life and acknowledge the strength of the people living in this volcanic region.