Build 10 Roofs + Train 10 Carpenters in PuertoRico

In this season of thanksgiving, we would like to share a story that would not be possible without your kindness and giving that we are so grateful for. A story of family and happiness against all odds. 

In a small wooden 2 bedroom house next to the bay in Barrio Vietnam, 82-year old Nilda beams with pride as she talks about her home of the last 43 years. Nilda recalls moving into what was then a 1 room structure with only 1 previous owner, a family of 6. Nilda and her husband took out a loan for $6,000 in 1977 in order to remodel the house and, little by little, they built their home. The wooden structure has a concrete room that they constructed as shelter for hurricanes. During Hurricane George in 1998, the home suffered substantial damage. Despite their attempts to make repairs, the leaking persisted. 23 years without a safe and dry home. 

Nilda’s home is multi-generational,  housing Nilda, Nilda’s daughter Rosita, granddaughter Rosimar, grandson Angel, and 6 year old great granddaughter Rosangela. 

Even after talking about the leaks that persisted through the past 2 dozen years Nilda affirms that she loves to live there. “I am 82 years old, no one bothers me.” And in response Rosimar exclaims, “This is paradise!”. Rosita moved in with her children after she lost her home to Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Nilda explains that after she passes away she would like to leave her home to Rosita to continue to provide a home for her family. The little one in the family, Rosangela says that she likes living in the home with her family.  Rosanglela’s family describe her as sweet and talk about how she helps her great grandmother.  Nilda says “Rosangela is my gift that was sent to me, to brighten up our home.”

Hurricane Maria

The family of 5 spent Hurricane Maria in the cement room they constructed for shelter.  Rosangela was only 2 years old at the time. The front door was smashed by the water and winds and washed away. Water poured in through the ceiling. Nilda says, “In 43 years I have never seen the water rise the way it did with Maria.” Her neighbors, like many others in Puerto Rico, still live in damaged homes. Nilda says, “4 years after Hurricane Maria and PRoTechos are truly the first people to help us.”

Nilda expresses that now that PRoTechos has rebuilt her roof, water no longer leaks into the home. The kitchen is fully functional again for her daughter and granddaughter who both love to cook and during the re-build, they cooked for the PRoTechos team every day. They are thrilled to be able to cook in a  dry kitchen once again. Nilda says, “My whole family is grateful for the work PRoTechos did on our home.” They mention that neighbors and members of the community have come by and said how great their new roof looks. 

Family and Gratitude 

This is a story of family and gratitude. A story that would not be possible without your support. For us at PRoTechos, it is one of 88 stories of resilience, family, and gratitude that we have been a part of over the last few years. And this is one story of thousands more still waiting for support across Puerto Rico. 

We will continue to work alongside these families to reach recovery. We will continue to build capacity to meet these needs through our training program. We will continue to insure safe and dry homes one roof and one family at a time. Thank you now and always for your support.

In Solidarity,

LB Cook, Director of Operations

PRoTechos

www.protechos.org

Links:

• Visit our website.