“We survive on the hope and trust we find in the humanity we find in communities.” -Dr Tim Dye

We received this quote from one of our partners in Puerto Rico, and it hit us deep in our core. Truly, because of connections we experience with amazing people when we’re in the midst of disaster relief, we do have hope that goodness is real and it will get better. This goodness is something that trickles down and reminds us of the simple fact– humanity is a collection of individuals in all places trying help one another.

Because of the man who receives power and lights, and shares it to his neighbors.

Because of the nurse who is making house calls, to make sure that her diabetic patient has the refrigerated insulin she needs in the amount specifically prescribed for him..

Because of the volunteers who show up to help because the need is so great and their hearts are so raw.

Because of the unknown donors who are moved to donate because there are helpers every where.

We are grateful to be responding with helpers around the world, doing what we can to provide shelters that are contributing to life-saving efforts.

Light Up Puerto Rico Power Volunteers Arrive in Puerto Rico

We were approached by a few passionate people here in Utah with ties to Puerto Rico, desperate to provide power, light and shelter to their friends and family. Light Up Puerto Rico has raised over $280,000 to send solar power and Barebones shelters in the last two weeks.

The first set of volunteers arrived over the past few weeks. Brothers Danny and Bryan Perkison, sat next to a woman coming from Ohio on the plane ride over. Lauri Chavez, from Puerto Rico, was on her way to be with her mom– who is on bed rest in a medical center with no power. 

“When we told her that we had solar flash lights, she was so excited to be able to take them to her mom and other family members who are living in the dark.” (pic on Tifie Insta)

Delivery of Medical Supplies and Medical Shelters with Direct Relief

In our amazing partnership with Direct Relief, Barebones sent 15 shelters to the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma. Shelters are being used in Dominica, Tortola, and Antigua as mobile clinics, and have been so helpful that the teams on the ground have requested more. More shelters are on their way to Puerto Rico with the Direct Relief team. Our durable medical tents are delivered alongside of life-saving medication, first aid, and water purification systems.

In the wake of Puerto Rico’s power crisis, diabetes treatment and refrigeration of insulin has been an ongoing emergency, with diabetics going without insulin or dialysis treatment. Some patients are stranded at home, without transportation because of fuel shortage or impassable roads. Direct Relief and its medical partners have been delivering specific medication and individual treatment plans to homebound residents. No longer isolated by fear and unknown, these amazing volunteers are bringing community and home into their homes.

7 Medical Shelters Deployed for Community Medical Clinic in Rural Puerto Rico

We were approached by Dr. Timothy Dye and his in-country partners, who are responsible for seven community health center throughout Puerto Rico. They are surrounded by many organizations and dedicated public servants who want to bring health and wholeness to the people of Puerto Rico. Since the Hurricane, there are no more operational community health centers, but the health needs of the rural communities are daunting. “Everything is needed” he says, about the centers. “We survive on hope and trust in the humanity we find in communities.”

We’re at our best in disasters, when our first and visceral response is to help. So take heart, goodness abounds, and hope in the form of light, power and shelter is on its way.