Light Up Puerto Rico

People are sleeping outside their homes. Fearing when is the next “shaking” of the earth. After putting a tent in front of their house this was some of their responses to us the next day: “after four nights we could finally sleep! We even heard the men snoring!” “I slept like a princess!”

https://lightup.foundation/

I can believe we have to this again! This time due to a number of earthquakes that have been rattling the Island causing damage to family homes again.

For this group of volunteers it was a hard day from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm., It was a wonderful day and of great satisfaction, we went to Guayanilla and Yauco. We experienced many mixed emotions, flash back, sadness, pain, love, hope, faith, courage, service, encouragement. After all, we received more than what we contributed. We were able to provide a provisional shelter and light for some families. How much we can contribute when we join forces!!! These people still have many needs. I invite you to contribute and be part of the help that Light Up Puerto Rico , members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other people and groups are offering. We need your help. Ask me, how can I help? And I will explain.

You can make your donation here:

https://lightup.foundation/

We are still alive and kicking. Enjoy some pictures of our groups from October 2018 through March of 2019, who have participated in over 20 projects focused on the continued goal of rebuilding homes and reuniting families in our beautiful Island.
Since September of 2017 we welcomed over 430 volunteers. STILL SO MUCH TO DO!
Thank you! We love you! 🇵🇷❤️

Couldn’t end this day without honoring our main organizer Jarem Hallows. After a long battle with cancer he passed away this morning. Thank you for starting this great cause and calling us that morning. Thank you for the unconditional love to the people of Puerto Rico. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for all of your sacrifices. Thank you for making more than 500 volunteers from all over unite in the same cause. Thank you for your example of pure love no matter what. Thank you Jarem, from the bottom of our hearts. GRACIAS. 🇵🇷 Prayers for your loved ones left behind.
Heaven is Lightning Up with your presence there. You will be deeply missed. ❤️ ‘till we meet again.

SEPTEMBER 2018

ONE YEAR! ⛈💨⚡️One year after Hurricane María swept the Island. Not one month passed by without sending a group! Every single month we had volunteers helping in many ways. Rebuilding families lives! Still plenty of work to do.
THANK YOU! 👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼🇵🇷

It has been a while since we posted something! But- that doesn’t mean we have not been working!
We still go to the Island. We still find the most amazing volunteers.

August 2018 update

Keep them coming! Two more roofs done!

LUPR June/July Volunteers:
AMAZING group of four families (The Earls, Halls, Browns, and Myers from Arizona and Las Vegas) that decided to spend their Summer Vacation serving our Island Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. What a marvelous example of hard work and selfishness. No matter what AGE they all held a tool and fixed broken homes. We all experienced heartbreaking stories, miracles and met wonderful families and individuals. Despite of all of what they are STILL going through (nothing easy) we learned from them that hope and faith is the last thing that you loose. Thank you!

🌅LIGHT UP PUERTO RICO 🇵🇷
Inside Hurricane Maria- ninemonthsafter

Reading about it and living inside of it is a total different story.....we’ve met people, heard their stories, cried with them and been humbled by their (still) good spirits.....we’ve seen roofless houses, blue tarps, (dark nights), shattered dreams, broken families, but most of all we’ve been able to work hand in hand with many, many helping hands that have come to the rescue.....
Wether it’s a mountain top or a valley small house, in the city or in the country, we want people to have a safe place to call home again!
Ever since the hurricane hit our beloved island, this group has put in their effort month after month to help bring light into a home, solar systems, handing out food, water and lately labour and labour costs. Every visit has been specially blessed by experiences that allow us personal growth. It’s been an important learning experience. 9 months in and still much work to do.....

More than 250 Volunteers
More than 4,000 hours of labor

Come, be part of helping people in Puerto Rico to get back on their feet. Puerto Rico is still as beautiful as always. But it has wounds, scars that María left there. Too many. Let’s heal them. There is sooo much to do. We will help as much as we need to.
Thank you for your support, contribution and many other ways that so many people, individuals, families, Schools, Companies have made this possible.

Come join us!

Sometimes when we think of doing service in places like , we get hung up on helping only specific demographics. We are out here helping anyone who needs it, but let's not forget all the people that still need our help in ways we perhaps haven't considered.

"Six months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and its economy, the daily indignities are piling up, especially for people who are frail or elderly. Many are finding their current economic straits nearly as threatening as the storm."

Remember to visit our page to donate, as we are still greatly in need of your help. We can do more. We can do better.

Time's Running Out For Many Frail, Older People In Puerto Rico Ausberto Maldonado picked corn and asparagus for years on the U.S. mainland before retiring in Puerto Rico. He has diabetes, and as the island's safety net wears thin, he's struggling to survive.

“Stay Positive!” An ironic phrase found at the bottom of the rubble.

Martita is a sweet, kind person. She shared her stories of how hurricane Maria tore her house to shreds. She lost everything. She has lived here for 22 years and will start over. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked through water-stained picture albums.

We threw everything she owned away. Somehow she continues to “Stay Positive!”

Martita, you are an example to all of us.

Our latest round of volunteers passing out solar lights and water today in Yabucoa and Punta Santiago.

Six months after the hurricane there are still hundreds of thousands of people without power. The resilience of the people we met today is awe inspiring.

One lady named Elizabet said, “A veces dudamos que la luz viene otra vez. Pero seguimos con fe y la luz va a venir. Pa’lante”.