After the country’s deadliest earthquake in 32-years, Mexicans are picking up the pieces.

CGTN’s Dan Collyns reports from the town of Jojutla near the quake’s epicenter.

When the earthquake struck there was no time to run. The collapsing roof crushed to death Albina Rios, a domestic worker who was ironing on the second floor and Guadalupe Barrios’ nephew was lucky to escape with a broken leg.

“My eyes are tired of crying,” said Guadalupe Barrios. “They cry on their own even though I don’t want to. My parents sacrificed everything to give us this house and now we have nothing. We are on the street.”

She was at the market when the 7.1 quake shook this small town near the epicenter. This house is heavily damaged but the owner is convinced it can be rebuilt with the help of neighbors. The authorities may say, however, that nobody should live here.

 Help is at hand and the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe emerged unscathed. It’s a miracle, she says. Many of her neighbors are taking refuge here. Some nursing injuries. Others who have lived through a few earthquakes.

“I don’t remember ever being in an earthquake this strong,” said Maria Felix Dominguez. “There was one in 1985 but it wasn’t as bad as this.”

The army is providing shelter for 400 people and hot food for up to 500 a day, Colonel Ruben Ortiz said. Meanwhile, donations continue to pour in from all over Mexico. And even Mexicans living abroad have come to help, like U.S.-based aerospace engineer, Enrique Ramirez.

“It’s amazing how people have come together to create this massive aid effort,” said  volunteer Enrique  Ramirez. “All the kids now have something to eat. We are just a little piece of the puzzle. I don’t have words to describe how wonderful it is to see people coming together like this.”

Familiar with earthquakes, Mexicans know the drill but after two quakes in one month, they are being pushed to the limit and showing their true spirit.