Louisville architect Cristina Leon and Colombian community raise funds for earthquake victims in Pereira, Colombia

A Louisville-based architect and members of the city’s Colombian community are collecting donations to support artisans displaced by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia’s Pereira region, including a jewelry maker whose work is sold locally.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Residents and members of Louisville’s Colombian community are raising money to help people affected by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia, according to WAVE. The fundraising effort is being organized in Louisville by architect Cristina Leon and other community members, with proceeds intended for artisans and families displaced after the quake.

The earthquake struck on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, and WAVE reported that it displaced residents in the Pereira area. The report described the impact on people who make and sell handmade goods, including craft workers who rely on community events to earn income.

WAVE said the Louisville organizers are focusing on helping artisans rebuild and regain income in the wake of the disaster. The report included mention of a jewelry maker in Pereira whose pieces are sold at local festivals, illustrating how the earthquake disrupted livelihoods tied to regular community markets and events.

Leon, described by WAVE as a Louisville architect, is listed as a central organizer for the effort, along with members of the Colombian community in Louisville. The collaboration reflects a common model in diasporas during disasters, with local organizers coordinating support abroad for specific groups such as artisans whose work is closely tied to tourism, events, and local commerce.

The WAVE report did not outline whether donations will be routed through a particular nonprofit, municipality program, or partner organization in Colombia. It also did not provide a fundraising total, a deadline, or details about how the money will be distributed once it arrives in Pereira.

Kentucky’s role in the effort centers on Louisville’s Colombian community and the local organizing led by Leon. For recipients in Colombia, the immediate concern is displacement and the interruption of income for people whose work depends on in-person sales and seasonal events.

As the fundraising continues, residents in Louisville who want to assist are likely to look to community announcements and local organizers for donation instructions, confirmation of where the funds will go, and updates on the status of artisan recovery in Pereira.

Why It Matters

The fundraising ties a Kentucky community to immediate recovery needs for people displaced in Colombia, particularly artisans whose income depends on local markets and events.
If the donations reach artisans directly, they may help support short-term stabilization and the resumption of small-scale production after the disruption caused by the quake.
The lack of publicly detailed distribution procedures in the reporting underscores the importance of transparency in disaster giving, including how funds are verified and transferred.
For local donors, the practical impact will depend on clear instructions from the organizers on how to contribute and how updates will be provided.

Sources

Key Facts

Louisville architect Cristina Leon and members of Louisville’s Colombian community are raising money to help earthquake victims in Pereira, Colombia, WAVE reported.
The earthquake was reported as magnitude 7.4 and struck on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.
WAVE said the fundraising focus includes displaced residents and local artisans in Pereira.
The report described a jewelry maker in Pereira whose work is sold at local festivals as one of the artisan groups affected.
WAVE did not specify in its report the donation total, distribution method, or a fundraising deadline.