District 7910's Hurricane-Relief Mission to Moca, Puerto Rico- February 2-5, 2018
Channel: Rotary District 7910 - Suburban Boston/Central Mass
Date: 08/03/2018

Paula Gilarde of the Rotary Club of Bedford, Teri Banerjee of the Rotary Club of Framingham, and Michael Dexter-Smith of the Rotary Club of Weston-Wayland traveled on February 2 through 5, 2018 to Moca, Puerto Rico. Members of the Rotary Club of Liberty, New York, Operation Endeavor, and Wings of Michael joined in the hurricane-relief mission.

Moca is a municipality in the northwest corner of the island that was one of the hardest-hit areas of the nearly-Category 5 hurricane. The purpose of the mission was to aid in reconstruction, to distribute flu and tetanus vaccinations and to provide toys for children. Relief efforts on the ground were coordinated by Nelson Quinones, president of the Moca club.

The group spent part of the first day surveying damage to various homes and roads. Despite the fact that Hurricane Maria hit the island more than four months earlier, many homes still had temporary roofs (blue tarps provided by FEMA), and some roads remained impassable because bridges had been swept away by the force of the floods.

In addition to delivering relief supplies to residents undertaking re-construction, the group assisted in the transformation of one disaster site into a construction site. Since Don Luis’ entire home was demolished in the hurricane, he has been living in a shack, adjacent to what remains of his house. He has no running water, or electricity, as he attempts to rebuild.

Another relief recipient included a mother of two young children who had lost her entire home, and now rents a house in a very rural area without running water or electricity - apart from a generator. The electrical system in Puerto Rico is very fragile, and in some rural areas, practically non-existent. 

“Hearing the personal stories and seeing where they were living post-hurricane, was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Paula Gilarde on her return.

Another major part of the project was supplying the vaccine and immunizing people against the flu - and tetanus, where needed. This project was coordinated with local Moca resident, Dr. Soto. On Sunday morning, 500 flu shots were administered after Masses in five different parishes. People were turned away because there were not enough vaccines.

Toys were distributed to children on Sunday after the Masses, in the more rural locations. The children were able to choose a toy from age-appropriate selections, and they were thrilled to get the unexpected gift!

There’s still a lot more work yet to be done. June, and the start of the next hurricane season, is only a few months away. Fundraising for the mission is ongoing as another group will be headed to Puerto Rico to continue the relief work. 

One hundred percent of all funds raised will be donated to the Moca club to purchase and distribute supplies to those families in need.

To learn more on District 7910's hurricane-relief effort for Moca, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/713260648878470/.

For more information, contact Paula Gilarde at paula.gilarde@gmail.com.