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