THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK

As a volunteer-powered organization, All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) harnesses the power of individuals to support disaster-affected communities worldwide. In this blog, we are celebrating the power of people like Alejandra, who dedicated her time, energy and skills to support disaster survivors in Puerto Rico. 

Everyone has the power to make a difference. 

Written by Alejandra, AHAH Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief volunteer.

Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be an architect. I was always very creative, loved art and had the most fun building things. I grew up building little houses for me and my dogs. I enjoyed drawing and painting, but I also loved helping people and serving others. Architecture always seemed like the right path for me; after high school, I embarked on this journey. I was blessed to attend excellent schools that prepared me for my career, such as The Catholic University of America and Virginia Tech.

While working on my thesis in graduate school, I realized that there was also a part of me that wanted to use this knowledge to help others. All the tools that I had, as well as the experience I gained at work, needed to be put into practice for something bigger. I believe that as architects, we also have a social responsibility to help those in need. Thankfully, I was able to find All Hands and Hearts, an organization that I admire and would recommend to everyone who wants to have an enriching volunteer experience.

My journey with AHAH began in 2019 when I decided to sign up to help in Puerto Rico. This was not my first time on the island – I had visited in 2013 and fell in love with it. The culture, its nature, the people; it’s a beautiful little island that made me feel at home. Sadly, it was devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. This was one of the worst disasters the island had experienced, which left many without electricity and basic needs for many months, as well as years of work to rebuild its damaged infrastructure. The most affected area was the southeastern side of the island, with Hurricane Maria making its landfall in the town of Yabucoa as a Category 5 hurricane.

I signed up for the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief program as I had seen the impactful work of AHAH on the island since the hurricanes hit. I would soon come to be inspired by the love and work the organization had put into Puerto Rico and would have an unforgettable experience throughout my stay. 

As I got to the program’s base, I was welcomed by staff and volunteers. It was so easy to make friends and work with a great group of people. As soon as I arrived, we put on our work boots and got ready for the day. We drove down the road for a few minutes to a small house with a storm-damaged roof in desperate need of repair. It was the home of Carment, a kind-natured lady in her later years of life, and her son.  She struggled with mobility, and her son had a physical and intellectual disability. The project took on a different meaning as they were really in need of a new roof as soon as possible. The current roof was cracked and no longer water-tight. Water frequently leaked through the ceiling, making it an inhospitable environment to live.

We got ready to work and followed the instructions of our Team Leaders, who taught us how to fix a concrete roof. We started by power washing and scraping off the surface to create the mix that would cover the cracks. The sun was intense, but the view from the roof was delightful. During our breaks, and as I was one of the Spanish speakers in the group, I got to know Carment.

As she was getting her nails done or playing dominoes, I got to know and adore her. It felt like I was fixing the house of my own grandmother, who was waiting for me in Virginia. I could not imagine the thought of seeing my own grandma living in a house in that condition.

It took two days of work to finish Carment’s roof as best as possible. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic cut the work short, and we had to leave the island at the end of that week. I am glad I could help and be part of this, even for a few days. I returned home feeling accomplished and grateful for what I learned on that trip. I made great friends that I cherished, I experienced a beautiful community and used my knowledge and background for a greater cause. But more than that, I connected with the people of this home and this town; I felt welcomed and will never forget their smiles and hospitality. Yabucoa has a special place in my heart, and the beautiful Carment whose roof we helped to fix. 

It has been two years since I volunteered in Yabucoa, but I keep all the good memories and lessons. I love to tell people about my experience, especially my colleagues and people in my field. We need more architects and people in the construction industry to give back and be part of disaster relief programs. As a designer working in an architecture firm, I love what I do, the projects I am part of and seeing ideas come to life. My experience in Yabucoa gave me a different outlook on architecture. It helped me appreciate what I learned, what I do and what I can give back to my community. As architects, we should reconsider our humanitarian role in society and put our knowledge to the service of our society outside of the corporate world. 

Our planet faces climate, social and economic crises, and we all can participate in giving back to our community.

We can make a lasting difference when we are all in. 

Like Alejandra, we’re all in. Are you?