Help Bring Electricity to Puerto Rico

Now, that Phase I of the project is complete, we are checking impact assessment and finalizing the post project report.  Our top priority, however, is to complete fundraising for Phase 2 which is a solar electricity run medical clinic in a community without a hospital.
  
We have another $11,000 left to raise to close Phase 2 funding and install the clinic.  Our goal is to help create a more resilient community and reduce carbon footprint, but more than anything, to ensure those with medical needs in areas without a hospital can get the help they need.

Since the hurricane, locals have been carrying more items that are useful in disasters, like candles, light bulbs, medicines, flashlights, insect repellent, and propane gas, but we saw from the response to Phase One, that solar panels give a different degree of confidence and security to those who felt isolated, scared and vulnerable when the hurricane came. 

Medical emergencies, however, cannot be planned, and ensuring safe, easily accessible medical help can be provided is our priority for Phase 2.

Thank you for all your help. We are now near the home stretch.  Together, let's make a difference.

We've been on the ground and there is so much need. Now that we have completed successfully Phase I of this project, we can see the impact of giving both solar electicity charging stations as well as enabling a back up system for future earthquakes, particularly in getting power to enable calls to emergency services, ambulances and whatever is needed.  What was really heart-breaking was to learn of the lives on ventilator machines who died when the electicity had gone from Hurricane Maria.

Now, we are fundraisiung for Phase 2 and are keen to reach our $100,000 total funding goal and close this project.  Phase 2 funds will go to give solar electicity support to a medical clinic in an area of Puerto Rico that does not have a hospital. 5000 residents dependent on this facility and its untold how much impact this will have on the lives of those residents.

Thank you for supporting solar in Puerto Rico and today we request you end the year by giving even more support. Whether it's $10, $25, $100 or $1000, please end the year by helping bring solar electricity to Puerto Rico.

Happy New Year!

There was still such a feeling of aftermath in Yabucao, one of the areas worst hit by Hurricane Maria.

Devastated trees, abandoned, worn down shopping malls, arenas missing roofs, broken almost beaten up buildings. There had been obstacles to reach the area and for some time, a mountain had to be slightly climbed even to reach spring water.

Although basic electricity has returned finally, its spotty and inconsistent. A new norm.

The emergency services asked for two solar charging stations, one to keep connected to ambulances and police and one in the center of the square.

They wanted even more but we were so grateful to all of you that we could at least give this two. Thank you!

We are completing about 3 installations a day in three different communities, with the Mayor, Chief of Police and Head of Emergency Services alongside us.

Our most devastating moment was in Naguabo, where the eye of the hurricane hit.  Here is a video link to deeply moving words from their head of Emergency Services, Jerry. He has requested two solar charging stations - one for the town square and the second for his emergency medical services area to ensure ambulances and police can be reached. We have readjusted our deployment plan to go our his very important need. 

You can also folllow videos live on Facebook live @tudawood

Links:

• Interview with Jerry Kirklamd, Head of Emergency, Naguabo, PR

We're on ground and these are some live updates.

About 30% of Puerto Rico still doesn't have electricity.

We've included in the attachements a map of Puerto Rico with a red circle around the areas still most affected and neglected today.

We've also included our priority list of regions.

One of the biggest challenges has been clearing customs with our Now Solar! equipment.  That has been achieved, but means we have to work efficiently to install these areas, as many are up in mountains with poor GPS and roads where we can easily get lost.

Locals on ground are being very helpful and appreciative.

We are also raising funds for the second phase of this project which will install a solar station for $25,000 in a health clinic serving 5000 locals in an area where there is no hospital. These funds will help get medical care to those in need.  Similar clinics have been funded by Red Cross, Clinton Foundation and America Cares.

You can communicate to us on ground at educate1000girls@gmail.com

Stay tuned for the next update ...