Disaster Response Puerto Rico Project #12203

Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

by Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza, Inc

Project Report | Dec 8, 2022
Autumn 2022

By Eva Arce | President, Board of Directors

Participant with meal

Since our August 2022 report we have distributed 3,070 meals to 65 elderly participants from Friday to Sunday. In addition to our regular meals, this year's participants received a Puerto Rican typical Thanksgiving lunch of turkey, rice and pigeon peas. One participant said: “That Thanksgiving meal was one of the best I had this year.” A nutritional meal is important to all but more so to the elderly who often face a multitude of health risks and diet changes as a result of diabetes, high blood pressure, loss of teeth, loss of muscle mass and some medications that affect nutritional food absorption.

A few days before hurricane Fiona in September 2022, we distributed additional groceries to the participants so they could have food during the emergency. After Fiona, the meal service was continued and we were also able to distribute ice packs to the elderly participants and the community. Even though the impact of Fiona in our community was less than in other areas, we were without electricity for several days.

One of our participants called to inform that she had been unable to get more ice for her diabetes medicine and we delivered her two ice packs. She and her husband are handicapped participants. Participant said : “Thanks to Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza I’m very happy because my insulin is not going to waste, and my need was met so I can keep my diabetes under control.”

A housekeeper visited and assisted two (2) participants that needed help preparing breakfast, lunch, and cleaning their home. A clean home not only provides a sense of well being but helps in reducing bacteria and viruses so harmful to all bodies, especially those of the elderly.

Meal #1

Participant #2 with meal

Cook preparing turkey for Thanksgiving

Some groceries before Fiona

Participant with ice for her insulin

Housekeeper at participant home

Housekeeper cleaning participant home

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