At 11:41 AM on December 7, 1988, 12-year-old Araksya was getting ready for school in her family's second-floor apartment when the walls began to crumble around her. What followed was not just a tale of survival from one of history's most devastating earthquakes, but a 13-year journey that would test her family's resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit.

In this gripping episode, Araksya shares her first-hand account of surviving the catastrophic Armenian earthquake and its aftermath. From her initial reaction of continuing to get ready for school as walls collapsed around her, to her family's incredible reunion story, to the harsh realities of living without basic utilities for over a decade, every moment of her narrative carries powerful lessons for modern preparedness.

Key moments include:

• Her mother's ingenious methods for keeping the family fed and clean without running water or electricity for THIRTEEN YEARS!
• How a 5-year-old brother scavenged building materials to keep the family warm
• The vital role of language skills in disaster recovery
• Her mother's extraordinary example of maintaining dignity and hope in desperate circumstances
• The lasting impact on her own approach to family preparedness today

This episode offers rare insights into what happens when society's support systems fail for an extended period. Araksya's story is more than just a survival tale—it's a masterclass in the importance of practical skills, family unity, and maintaining hope when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

For anyone interested in practical, panic-free preparedness, this episode provides an unforgettable perspective on what truly matters when everything falls apart.

"If you're prepared, you shall not fear." - Araksya Kennard

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