Volunteers Rebuild Homes for Hurricane Maria Survivors

In Puerto Rico, Convoy of Hope is still helping people recovering from Hurricane Maria that took place more than a year ago.

Ramón and Nelida have always called Puerto Rico home and have a big family … there are 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Many members of their extended family lived with them until the hurricane destroyed their home.

With both over the age of 60 and Ramón in poor health, the couple was quickly overwhelmed. Their house was in shambles, and Ramón’s condition was getting worse. Depression set in as they struggled to recover with everyone else on the island. They felt forgotten and alone.

Thanks to generous friends and volunteers, Convoy of Hope responded to Hurricane Maria immediately and deployed much-needed aid. Field Teams — volunteer teams made up of people from churches, universities, groups, and organizations — partnered with local churches and community leaders to help rebuild homes across the island.

Field Teams participation has grown exponentially over the last six years. In 2013, Convoy sent out 30 teams with 365 team members to four countries. Five years later, in 2018, Convoy sent 82 teams with 1,018 team members to 11 countries.

For teams serving in Puerto Rico, the goal was to alleviate the stress and struggle those on the island were experiencing — and continue to experience to this day — after the devastating storm.

“[When we heard help was on the way, we were] very grateful, happy, joyful,” said Nelida. “We had nothing and we really needed it … we had to feed the kids, and now they have food and water.”

While Nelida was optimistic, Ramón was skeptical. He feared being taken advantage of and that the dignity of his family and community would be degraded even further because of outside help. But the longer he interacted with Convoy of Hope’s teams, the more he realized they truly cared.

“After Hurricane Maria, we received a lot of help,” he said. “And we still are receiving a lot of help from Convoy. [We have received] food, everything, water, clothes, toys for the little kids.”

“The goal isn’t to do things for local leaders, but instead to walk with local leaders toward the fulfillment of dreams in their hearts,” says Field Teams Director Matt Wilkie. “Through this ‘withness’ in strategic places around the world, we’ve seen beautiful things set in motion on the field, and deep and lasting impact in the lives of team members.”

Elvis, one of the local pastors who works closely with Convoy of Hope, developed a special relationship with Ramón, who began to trust him and the Field Teams members. Their desire was to forge genuine connections with those they were helping, going above and beyond what was the norm. The genuine love they demonstrated and the selfless nature in which they helped Ramón’s community recover, convinced him there was something different about this group.

Sadly, Ramón passed away from his illness soon after his home was completed. Ramón’s community mourned his passing, but celebrated the comfort of knowing his family now has a safe place to live.