Ketchup & Cheese: The Girl Who Survived a Venezuelan Quake

In La Guaira, northern Venezuela, twin earthquakes rattled the city on Thursday, hurling houses into chaos. When rescue crews finished digging, they found a 12‑year‑old girl named Fabiana safe—barely sprawled under debris after a whopping 30‑hour wait.

The girl suffered only a fractured left foot and a few bruises, but what’s truly amazing is how she kept eating during the hours trapped. With no access to food, Fabiana literally survived on ketchup and cheese she found in her bag of essentials. It’s the kind of resourcefulness kids cheer about on TikTok, and the story quickly turned into a meme about “ketchup as survival food.”

Meanwhile, the quake has left more than 3,300 people dead with dozens of thousands still missing. Yet Fabiana’s tiny triumph draws attention to the grit of Venezuelan kids facing harsh reality.

Why it matters: The story reminds us that in the face of disaster, everyday items can survive and inspire hope, especially for young readers. It also shows how news stories must keep humanity alive even when numbers are scary.