Direct relief · Venezuela
One step ahead, together, for Venezuela
Direct help for people in Venezuela affected by the June 24, 2026 La Guaira earthquake.
Andy's story
On June 24, 2026, I was at home in La Guaira with a stomach ache, so I went upstairs to rest. Minutes later the house began to shake. I ran for the bedroom door, but the house collapsed on top of me.
I was buried under concrete, dirt and rocks, fighting to breathe and making noise so someone could find me. A stranger, a worker from the building across the street, crawled into a small hole in the rubble, and told me to relax, that he was going to take me out. My left leg was trapped under a slab of concrete. Believing I was dying, I begged him to save himself and to tell my son and daughter that I loved them very much. He refused to leave. After about six hours under the rubble, we got my leg free.
No ambulance was coming. The men who rescued me pulled me out on a comforter, through a window and down a ladder. A friend drove me in his pickup truck over cracked roads, and men on a tuk-tuk took me the rest of the way to a hospital in Caracas. The surgeon told me she could not save my leg. I chose life.
Because I had lost so much blood, my leg was amputated while I was awake, with only an epidural. Then came intensive care, phantom pain, blood transfusions and learning to stand again on crutches, with my family, my friends and the hospital staff beside me.
I did not survive alone: “I survived because ordinary people became heroes.” This experience taught me that life is about love, faith, helping others and being grateful. I founded One Step Ahead Foundation, based in Doral, Florida, to bring help to people in Venezuela.
My Instagram Gifts earnings (@andyabreu7730) pay out to the foundation, and I want all of that money to go to helping people in Venezuela.
“Listen, doctor, I want to live. The leg, I will figure it out. But please, don't let me die.”
— Andy, to his surgeon in Caracas
“I don't know why I survived, so now I'm helping people. Maybe that's my purpose.”
— Andy Abreu, Founder
As seen in
Andy has told his story in interviews and news reports. All of them are in Spanish.
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América Noticias USA
Empresario de Miami sobrevivió al terremoto y perdió una pierna: impactante testimonio de Andy Abreu
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El Poder de los 50 – Soy Armando Fit
El terremoto le quitó una pierna, pero no las ganas de vivir (EP 108)
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Mujer de Acero by Tracy Andrade
Andy Abreu sobrevivió al doble terremoto y encontró un nuevo propósito
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La Verdad con Carines Moncada
Me confesé con Dios porque pensé que me iba a morir
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Univision Miami
Venezolano de Miami perdió una pierna en el terremoto y ahora lucha para ayudar a los damnificados
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EVTV Miami – El Abogado del Diablo
A tres meses del terremoto que le quitó una pierna (parte 1 de 5)
In the press
- · Panorama — Sobrevivió a terremoto en La Guaira: prefirió perder la pierna a morir
- · La Verdad — Sobreviviente amputado del doble terremoto en La Guaira: “Sigo estando feliz porque estoy vivo”
- · Noticiero Caracas — ‘Quítame la pierna, lo que quiero es vivir’
- · NTN24 — “Lo único que me quedó libre fue esta mano”: sobrevivió seis horas bajo los escombros y ahora ayuda desde Miami
- · More Than Mamis (podcast) — Dios me dio una segunda oportunidad de vivir (E200)
- · La Patilla — Pasó seis horas bajo los escombros en La Guaira, perdió una pierna y ahora tiene una misión desde Miami
How we help
Your donation
We receive your gift through our donation form.
Purchase in Doral
We buy supplies in Doral, Florida.
Next Day Cargo shipment
Supplies travel to Venezuela with Next Day Cargo, from Doral.
Delivery in Venezuela
Help is delivered directly to the people who need it.
Photos of help delivered
Fotos de ayuda entregada / Photos of help delivered
Tap a photo to see it full size.
Where your help went
Each month we will publish a report of what was received, bought, shipped and delivered.
The first report will be posted here once donations open.
How to help
Donations opening soon
We're completing Florida's charitable registration. Donations will open here soon.
In the meantime, share Andy's story and follow him at @andyabreu7730 to be the first to know.
Frequently asked questions
Where does my donation go?
The money is used to buy supplies in Doral, Florida, ship them with Next Day Cargo and deliver them to people in Venezuela. Each month we will publish a “Where your help went” report.
What does Instagram have to do with the foundation?
Andy's Instagram Gifts earnings (@andyabreu7730) pay out to One Step Ahead Foundation and are used to help people in Venezuela.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
One Step Ahead Foundation Inc. (EIN 42-4529953) has applied to the IRS for 501(c)(3) recognition, and the application is pending. Once approved, exemption generally applies back to the date of incorporation. Please consult your tax advisor.
How do I know the help arrives?
We publish photos of deliveries and a monthly report with purchase receipts and Next Day Cargo shipping waybills, with personal data removed.
What kind of aid do you send? Can I donate items?
The photos show food packages and aid kits. If you'd like to donate items, email us at [email protected] and we'll tell you what is needed.
What is the connection with Next Day Cargo?
Supply shipments travel with Next Day Cargo, a cargo company in Doral, Florida, connected to the founder. Next Day Cargo charges the foundation for freight, and that cost will appear in the monthly report.