Build 10 Roofs + Train 10 Carpenters in PuertoRico

Almost 3 years after Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck Puerto Rico, many residents here still lack safe and secure housing. To date, more than 25,000 households lack a roof that can withstand rain and  wind. Most of the cases are in low-income communities , and a disproportionate number of the residents are elderly. Doris and her husband Felix are just two of the many elderly left behind after the 2017 hurricanes. This is their story. 

Doris and Felix have been living in Barriada Juana Matos for 21 years. Felix used to be able to climb up and fix the roof when it needed repairs. Now 84, he has developed Alzheimer’s disease which prevents this formerly handy person from performing any home repairs. Their home was built on pillars to protect it from the flooding that often affects homes in this community; however, Maria left them with 4 feet of flooding damaging or destroying everything in their basement, and the hurricane’s 200 mph winds and heavy rains damaged a significant portion of their home.

During Hurricane Maria, Doris and Felix’s roof was extensively damaged and as a result their beds, mattresses, and appliances were damaged. The couple, who survive on social security and veterans’ benefits, immediately applied for governmental assistance but were granted only $450.  After replacing their bedding and necessary appliances, they had little left to apply to home repairs – and certainly not enough to cover the $5,000 cost of a new roof.  

During PROTECHOS’ first visit to Cataño, a Juana Matos community leader led us to their residence. In our initial assessment, we identified a broken electrical connection which would have interfered with work on the metal roof. Unfortunately, customer wait time for electrical services was extensive due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we had to wait several weeks to repair the roof.  Once we were finally able to get an electrician from the power company to fix the problem, we were able to reconstruct the roof and provide a safe home to Doris and Felix. In less than six days, PROTECHOS not only measured the house dimensions, created a work plan, ordered materials, and installed the hurricane-resistant roof, but also trained two members of the community to build a strong roof through our “Learn and Earn” carpentry vocational training program.

Three years after Irma and Maria, thanks to donors like you, PROTECHOS continues to provide free roofing services to the thousands of people in need, as we train communities to build resiliently.  Please help us continue to help the most vulnerable while building capacity where it is most needed in underserved areas throughout Puerto Rico.