Traveling to Puerto Rico with BUSSW, Post-Hurricane Maria: One Year Later
My name is Katelyn and I am a macro social work student in the dual degree program with Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. As a student at BUSSW, there are a lot of exciting opportunities that students can take advantage of! For instance, MSW students have the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico each summer with Luz Lopez, a native Puerto Rican and Professor in the Clinical Social Work Department. I went on this trip in the summer of 2018. Check out the highlights of my trip below!
Esperanza Nueva – June 15, 2018
Esperanza Nueva is an afterschool program with various aspects of arts, theatre, crafts and outdoor activities for kids. I was impressed by the large enrollment and variety of activities offered in the organization’s after school programs. During our visit we met Carmen, the director, who brought us on a tour of the agency. Hearing employees’ stories about how the organization sprang into action after Hurricane Maria to aid the community in which they worked was astounding. Most employees shared that they lived about an hour away from the afterschool program and still came to work despite the fact that none of the employees received paychecks in the aftermath of the hurricane. In this particular community, the workers at La Esperanza Nueva came to work immediately following the hurricane and used their agency vans to deliver bottled water to anyone they could find.
Casa Pueblo – June 16, 2018
Casa Pueblo is located in a community that was severely impacted by the hurricanes. Amidst prolonged power outages, the community came up with innovative and sustainable solutions to support its residents. We attended a few different activities in this community. One of the places we visited was a theatre where we watched a presentation on how residents built solar lamps due to the lack of power and created mini-fridges so they could keep medications cool in the humidity. I was very impressed by their utilization of solar energy to address community health challenges.
Another component of this agency visit included learning about the natural water in the area and how the community kept its water clean and full of nutrients after the hurricane. I enjoyed the learning activities as well as exploring in person how the community used natural processes to keep their water supply fresh, clear, and clean.
Fondita De Jesus – June 18, 2018
This is a painting done by a resident at La Fondita de Jesus, an agency that works with people who are experiencing homelessness. I enjoyed the creative culture at this agency tour, specifically the entire artwork collection all done by residents using a wide array of materials. The staff at the agency focused on using resilience and positivity when working with participants, which is reflective of the overall culture I experienced in Puerto Rico.
Mira Flores via Casa Solidaria – June 20, 2018
At Mira Flores, we were able to have some hands-on experience with the local farming. As a Massachusetts native, this was a unique experience for me to be involved in and truly observe the process of farming and preparing the land for crops. Getting to this rural and under-resourced area was a journey since there are few transit roads and treacherous conditions.
I was yet again impressed by the entrepreneurship and leadership I saw in this area. Our liaison shared with our group that in addition to being a farmer and a lawyer, she is a coach teaching young people how to farm and the importance of sustainability in the community. She explained that she became interested in law after facing community housing challenges and realizing the lack of knowledge the community had to protect themselves in the court system. In her free time, she also fixes roofs and helps people living in the mountains become self-sufficient. Our liaison was truly an active community member and an inspiration to our group.
Children in this community are offered academic internship opportunities and are able to practice the agriculture they learn at school. I was amazed to hear about the positive and impactful work in this more remote area.
Overall, this trip for BUSSW students was more fruitful than anything I could have ever imagined. It was wonderful to be a part of these various Puerto Rican communities and I will take these experiences with me as a professional social worker.