Photos shared on the GoFundMe petition to rebuild the dental clinic. /Courtesy
Salvadorans René Márquez and Rafael Pineda saw their dreams destroyed when the devastating Floods in Valencia, Spain, showed no mercy and swept away the dental office they built after two decades of work.
In the petition published on the GoFundMe platform, Pineda’s sister, Carmen Pineda de Núñez, explains that Pineda and Márquez opened the clinic Márquez-Pineda Dental in 2023 after “almost 20 years saving and working two or three jobs as dentists to make ends meet.”
“Both are Salvadorans who have lived in Valencia for more than 20 years and with a lot of effort and enthusiasm they ventured to have their own clinic,” located in the town of Paiporta, on the outskirts of Valencia, one of the regions devastated by the floods that They leave at least 211 dead.
The petition explains that the Salvadorans “juggled their time and crazy schedule to stay afloat” to pay off two loans they took out to open the clinic a year and four months ago. After hard months with tight finances, the store reached its break-even point, as the income allowed it to cover maintenance expenses.
“Then the worst nightmare came (…) Their clinic was completely destroyed by the flood waters and, in a few minutes, everything they had worked for was destroyed,” the petition states.
Salvadorans René Márquez and Rafael Pineda. /Courtesy
The floods also washed away Pineda’s vehicle. “So no clinic or car in one day!” they lament.
Pineda de Núñez acknowledged that insurance companies can cover damages, but emphasized that thousands of people are in a similar situation and settlements could take months or years.
According to the petition, the Salvadorans require 30,000 euros (more than $32,000) to cover the essential expenses of the clinic, as well as the repair of the dentist’s chair, the X-ray equipment and the rehabilitation of the waiting room for clients.
“We seek your support and donations to help these two honest and hard-working men get back to work and rebuild their clinic so they can support their young families and pay off their loans,” he said.
