Lessons from Maria

            On September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria entered Puerto Rico, considered the hurricane with the most damage caused on the island in its modern history. Hours after the hurricane, he noticed the massive destruction that Maria made. The magnitude of the damage caused by this atmospheric phenomenon was not what was expected for any Puerto Rican, for the simple fact that we were used to going through less severe hurricanes than Maria. The electric service was in terrible condition, the water service was not working in large parts of the country, families seeking shelters, communications out of service, homes and establishments destroyed and debris on all sides limiting the roads of Puerto Rico.

 

            With the passing of days, the uncertainty grew because there was not much communication in many regions of the island due to the absence of cellular companies. The local television channels were absented for several hours and some radio stations were broadcasting, but with difficulties. Everything that was reported to the people was insecure due to the lack of telecommunications, it was reported what could be seen on the street or news that came from what people were among them. Basically, the technology was absent and people communicated as in the old times where they communicated only by talking or writing letters.

After several days, the problems began with the scarcity of food, water, ice and gasoline. This began to generate long lines in the supermarkets, the bakeries, the few restaurants that worked and the gas stations. This called attention in the government establishing a curfew to ensure the safety of society. After 6:00 pm you could not be on public roads due to the lack of lighting in the streets and the curfew imposed by the governor. This created an irregular rhythm in the trade due to the high demand, little supply in the establishments, few available workers, suppliers with limited work and few incoming resources to Puerto Rico.

In times like these, where uncertainty and despair is everywhere, is where the solidarity of Puerto Ricans comes from helping each other. People supporting each other to collect debris in the communities, neighbours sharing food, Puerto Ricans out of the country sending aid and the elaboration of many movements with the help of local and international artists to contribute socially and economically to Puerto Rico. That's where the famous "Puerto Rico rises" is born.

After extensive collaborations between the federal and state governments, Puerto Rico could wake up and began to work to improve the quality of life in the country. Daily you can see on the street that the country has awakened after Maria and that the population is in the mood to innovate. Something that can be assured, is that most Puerto Ricans know how to value what we have since overnight we can lose everything we have and must continue with what we must grow again.