Create 2 Resiliency Centers in Cano Martin Pena

In disadvantaged communities such as Caño Martín Peña, the technological gap as a product of inequality has been more marked in times where there is a global pandemic. We identify that our older adults have limitations in handling their mobile phones, apps, and computers. In addition, many don’t have smart mobiles with internet services and neither do they have high memory capacity to store applications. And what better place than our Resiliency Centers as training space. This is why we developed an initiative, where we train residents of the communities who have these technological limitations. In four months, we have trained more than 46 people in over 19 training workshops and have even received a 90-year-old resident.

It is wonderful to share that older adults, who are more vulnerable and susceptible to acquiring the COVID-19, were able to greet their children via video call. Although we think these are basic things, in communities with low schooling and little access to technology it becomes a barrier that affects our older adults. As a direct benefit, this initiative has promoted the unification of families that have been separated to avoid infections by covid-19. Also, people have had access to news media and to welfare services such as food stamp.

This initiative has promoted community self-management generating capabilities and is an important step in closing the technology gap. Besides, it is an example of how important it is for communities to have Resiliency Centers for this type of project to continue to develop. We cannot wait for the Resiliency Centers to be completed and for these initiatives to be expanded. Although at the moment we are working on the compliance process for the use permit, the development of the community kitchens continues with firm step.

The Resiliency Centers project needs to continue raising funds for these to fully reach their potential and can continue serving people during emergencies. They need the self-sufficiency that solar energy and rainwater harvesting can provide. With your support, and through partnerships with volunteers and other allies, we can fully furnish the centers with what they need to succeed

As we continue to battle the global COVID-19 pandemic the hope of this ends continues to keep us going. It is a fact that our daily life has changed and we had to make adjustments. People have returned to their jobs, and restaurants, gym and cinemas have already opened taking protection measurements. However, we are facing an unfortunate fact. The education it`s the most important thing for the development of a society and it has not been handled correctly. In Puerto Rico, schools continue to be closed and the student’s houses have become classrooms. Students had to take classes remotely and this has led to learning difficulties. It is not the same for all children to learn through a computer, cell phone or tablet. Given this fact and while the Government does not offer greater options to improve the learning of our children, the Resiliency Centers have served as safe spaces for learning.

We started an educational project in the afternoons. The children of the community go to the centers and are welcome by assistants and teachers who help them in the subjects. The Resiliency Centers have been safe spaces were the children are able to interact with other students and establish dynamics based on leadership development. We have been able to enable the spaces with COVID-19 protection measures to avoid infections. Also, have contributed to development the sense of responsibility in children, as they have to take the temperature with the infrared thermometer and put on hand sanitizer. Children are not the only beneficiaries of resilient centers as safe spaces also; adult residents have taken workshops of different topics.

As a comprehensive social development project, education for people of all ages is a central part of social transformation. Even without being completed, the Resiliency Centers have also become spaces for that to be possible. In times of global uncertainty, environmental changes and public health, resilient community centers are necessary to provide the community with equipped and safe spaces where they can develop activities for the benefit of the community. The project needs to continue raising funds for these centers to fully reach their potential as resiliency centers and community kitchens that can continue serving people during emergencies, they need the self-sufficiency that solar energy and rainwater harvesting can provide. With your support, and through partnerships with volunteers and other allies, we can fully furnish the centers with what they need to succeed.