Puerto Rico Se Levanta

When you visit Puerto Rico you immediately notice how patriotic and proud the people are.  They are proud of and love their island, their culture and who they are as a people.  The Puerto Rican flag flies proudly all over the island, along with the American flag of course because they are part of the U.S.A.  This has always been the case, but after Hurricane Maria their pride is even more noticeable. 

Despite the great struggles and sufferings they are currently experiencing after Hurricane Maria, they are gracefully rising up together.  Puerto Rico Se Levanta translates to Puerto Rico Rises!  It is an inspirational phrase seen all of over the island as they begin to rebuild.  The road ahead is long and difficult.  The way in which Puerto Rico will rise and rebuild is by uniting and doing so together.  So much time has passed now and many residents are STILL without electricity and water.  Many in remote areas have never seen FEMA or received any aid from government agencies.  We visited some of these places on our 4th day in Puerto Rico.  The residents we met along the way inspired us but the circumstances and conditions they are living in saddened us greatly.  

We started the day off in Arecibo and purchased water and toys while waiting to meet one of our contacts, Gonzalez, who was going to take us to neighborhoods in need. We filled 4 shopping carts in addition to the supplies which filled our minivan and truck. 

Gonzalez took us to several locations and what we saw troubled us. Each of us experienced many emotions throughout the course of this day. We were angered when we saw people in remote areas forgotten about by government agencies. We were told the only people they have seen bringing help was individuals like ourselves. This was a story repeated to us. We were frustrated realizing even though the people were grateful for our help it felt like a drop in the bucket when we saw how great their needs were. We we're saddened seeing a family of 7 in a small, damaged house with extremely poor living conditions. Several of the family members were sick as well and getting to a doctor is not easy. 

We visited 2 more families who were living still living in their hurricane damaged homes. One house had a tarp but the tarp was beginning to thin from the sun. We gave them a new tarp along with some tools to try and help. This family told us they stayed in the house across from their home during the storm and watched as their house fell apart. They said that living was very difficult at this time. 

Given the opportunity to meet all of the people we did on this day also humbled and encouraged us. Many of them were still smiling despite what they face day in and day out. We wanted to do and give so much more to everyone we encountered but they were so appreciative and grateful for what we did bring. But perhaps what they were most grateful for was knowing they had not been forgotten. When people suffer that is what means the most....knowing that someone cares and wants to listen to their story.  Thank you Puerto Rico for sharing your stories with us. Your stories are moving, your people are inspirational and together is how you are and will continue to rise!