October 16, 2019 – Our work in Puerto Rico continues, even two years after Hurricane Maria caused so much devastation. Last week, HHI met with partners across the island to discuss ongoing projects and possible future programs.
In Utuado, we currently support community health workers and an administrator for COSSAO – a community organization dedicated to helping improve health access for those living in the mountain communities. The community health workers are going house to house, visiting with residents to assess and document their health and stability. In case of another disaster, this database will serve as a road map to helping the most vulnerable of the population. In addition, with BD, we support a medical and dental clinic and are currently working on replacing the roof of the medical clinic.
We have been supporting TLC (Trinidad Life Community) center in Yabucoa with its transformation of a damaged school into a community center, complete with medical clinic. Last week, volunteer service days were coordinated for BD employees to power wash and paint buildings in the center and install a commercial laundry facility.
The renovated laundry facility includes three commercial washers and three commercial dryers and will be for use by the medical clinic and community members who cannot get out to wash their clothes.
The team of painters and power washers completed four of the six buildings of the center and plans are in place for more volunteers to come back out to finish the remaining two.
Work continues in Puerto Rico to improve community resilience after Hurricane Maria and for the future.