Garcia Davila Project

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The Garcia Davila Project - Teens4PR

The purpose of this blog is to provide information and updates on the Garcia Davila Project, part of Teens4PR.org Many people, especially those who have so generously donated funds to this project, will ask me about the situation in Puerto Rico, whether things are improving, and how my project is progressing. My response is to tell them that progress in PR has been very, very slow. In the bigger cities, especially San Juan, progress is evident. Today, visitors to San Juan will barely notice any evidence of the devastation brought by the Hurricane almost two years ago. But those visitors do not visit the towns in the interior of the island -- towns where most people live below the poverty line and government help has been scarce. The towns up in the mountainous central part of the island seem to have been forgotten. And this is where the Garcia Davila Project has concentrated its efforts.
I hope that when you read this blog, and see the photos, you will realize the real impact your support has made in the lives of others. You will see that your generosity has made such a difference -- giving a family a roof over their heads or a mattresses to sleep on; providing elderly folks with a washing machine or a refrigerator; and giving hope and showing them that there are people who still care for the victims of Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria struck my native Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I came to the USA to go to college in 1983. And although I never lived there again (except for about 18 months when my mother was very sick), I visit the island numerous times each year. Ever since I retired from a Federal government job in 2015, I have tried to think of ways to help Puerto Ricans who live in squalid conditions and struggle to find jobs in a sluggish economy with an unemployment rate many times higher than the mainland United States. Hurricane Maria gave me the answer.

A few days after the hurricane hit the island I contacted the Red Cross and signed up to become a volunteer. I took the training in record time and on October 22, 2017 I landed in PR as a Red Cross volunteer. During three intense weeks, I delivered food, water and supplies to numerous towns in the north and central areas of PR. The devastation was overwhelming. I had difficulty sleeping. But the more I saw of the suffering of the Puerto Rican people, the more I wanted to keep helping.

My awesome team

My cot for three weeks!

During my time with the Red Cross, I met many wonderful and dedicated people. But the two that left the biggest impact on me were: Pastor Elvis Rodriguez from Toa Alta and Dorian Gaetan Natal from Vega Baja.

Pastor Elvis Rodriguez:
The neighborhood of Villa La Esperanza in Toa Alta was by far the neighborhood in the worst condition that I encountered during my three weeks of traveling the island with the Red Cross. Pastor Rodriguez was my contact in Toa Alta and he took us to Villa La Esperanza to deliver the supplies. After delivering supplies there and another community, El Progreso, my Red Cross teammates agreed that these two communities were the poorest and most devastated that we had encountered in our stay in PR. I was very impressed by Pastor Rodriguez's leadership. Everyone at La Esperanza respects him and trusts him and the children run to him when they see him. He is full of love and kindness. La Esperanza is not even part of his congregation, which is actually about 25 minutes away. But he, as we say in PR, "ayuda sin mirar a quien" -- meaning he helps no matter who is in need. He has truly dedicated his life to helping others.

Dorian Gaetan Natal
I wasn't even supposed to meet Dorian, but God placed her in my way. Her boss Piro was my contact in Vega Baja. He couldn't meet me, so he sent Dorian. Dorian works for the Housing Department. She is the mother of two rambunctious little boys. Dorian also suffers from a disability. None of this halts her exorbitant desire to help the community. Dorian immediately offered to ride with us to make sure we took the supplies to the most devastated and hardest to reach areas. At least twice she opened the way for our truck: once cutting branches with a machete and another time propping some downed power lines up with a broom. Dorian was unstoppable. At times, because of the effects of her disability, she could barely walk, but somehow she kept going.

Back home in NY, I never stopped thinking about PR. With the help of friends, neighbors, church, local schools, and others, I collected supplies such as bottled water, batteries, diapers, canned food, water filters, and other essentials and delivered them to collection points in NYC. Different local and government agencies shipped them to PR.

A total of about 13 SUVs filled with supplies were driven to collection points in NYC. Thank you to all those who helped out. You know who you are!!

Puerto Rico Family Institute on 14th St, NYC, a collection point.

At around this time, my children, Liana Sofia and Michael Antonio signed up with Teens4PR, a non profit organization founded in response to Hurricane Maria. Teens4PR's mission is to involve teenagers with or without ties to PR in relief efforts.

On the day after Christmas, December 26, 2017, I laid in bed thinking about the people in PR and especially about the two community leaders, Dorian and Pastor Rodriguez. I wanted to keep helping them. But didn't know how or where to start.

So that night I called Dorian. We spent a good two hours on the phone. Listening to her description of the continuing hardships broke my heart: no running water, no electricity, lack of fuel, schools still not operating, slow or non-existent government assistance. She also described how, in La Trocha, a community in her town Vega Baja, children received no toys for Christmas. Upon hearing this, I immediately offered to help buy the children toys for Three Kings' Day. Three Kings' Day is a religious holiday (January 6th) celebrated in Spain and Latin America. In the rural parts of PR, this holiday is celebrated more than Christmas. As with Christmas, children also receive toys and treats, but usually only one or two. As soon as I hung up the phone I emailed about 40 friends conveying the situation in Vega Baja and my desire to purchase toys to be distributed at a Three Kings' Day celebration. The donations poured in. I engaged the help of some friends and relatives in PR. A friend was able to secure a donation of toys, clothes, backpacks and school supplies from the local Toys R Us and donations of food from a local restaurant. At the end, a big Three Kings' Day celebration was held for about 90 kids and their parents. Because the toys were donated, we used the money we collected to buy shoes and sneakers for the children. A friend and neighbor from Irvington, NY donated 500 pairs of socks. The event was a total success and the children and their parents had a well deserved celebration.

Dorian at right with her two kids and the Three Kings

My sister (left)

First Benefit: February 2018

In February 2018, Dobbs Ferry South Presbyterian Church youth group led by Lenore Person voted to organize an event to benefit Teens4PR. Local teens participated in a beautiful evening of music and dance performances. Puerto Rican food and desserts were served. This benefit raised $3,826.00 for the Garcia Davila project.

First Trip: March 2018

In March 2018, I took my very first group of teens on a service trip to Puerto Rico. The group consisted of my daughter Liana Sofia, Julia Weber, Katy Diep and Naomi Van Hoogerstraten. While traveling the island with the Red Cross, I noticed that practically every family had placed their water soaked, moldy mattresses outside to be carted away. This gave me the idea of purchasing mattresses. With the money raised we purchased mattresses directly from the factory in PR and delivered them with a borrowed truck to save on delivery charges. We also helped the elderly with home appliances and brought donated shoes to some children.

At Mattress Global factory in Caguas, PR

We found this child walking alone and barefoot so we put on a pair of sneakers. We waited until his dad showed up.

Lenore's house got three feet of water during the Hurricane. Her refrigerator somehow "survived" but not her stove. She takes care of her quadriplegic 51-year-old son. Through the magic of Facebook we were able to get her son a hospital bed.

Group photo. Photo was taken at what was left of Giovanni's house. Giovani is Dorian's cousin. Giovanni helped us deliver mattresses in his truck.

Second Trip: March 2018

Our second trip took place in March 2018. The group consisted of my son Michael, his friend Brenna Hazen and Mary Davis, a Red Cross volunteer I met while in PR. Pastor Rodriguez told us that Villa La Esperanza was in dire need of tools. So we purchased about $500.00 worth of tools for them from the local hardware store. We also purchased building materials such as concrete blocks, sand, gravel and cement. Most home appliances were soaked by the hurricane at La Esperanza. We met residents who were still using them even though they hardly worked. We met grandmothers who were washing their clothes, including sheets and towels, by hand. On this trip, we were able to replace 4 washing machines and a few refrigerators.

One day, Pastor Rodriguez told us that the nuns from a nearby orphanage had provided him with a list of supplies they urgently needed. My cousin's daughter, Laura Ubiñas, collected the supplies at her high school and we helped delivered them.

Brenna, my son Michael, Pastor Rodriguez, Mary Davis, unknown, and Jose "El Veterano", receiving the tools.

Two views of Villa La Esperanza

This girl (in photo above with Dorian) was sleeping on this trampoline since the Hurricane. We provided her with a twin size bed (and a lollipop!)

Orphanage in Bayamon, PR

In April of 2018, Teens4PR members Sofia and Michael Garcia and myself began baking Tres Leches cake and selling it at Geordanes, a neighborhood deli and gourmet market. All proceeds go to Teens4PR.

Third Trip: July 2018

In July 2018 we took our third service trip to Toa Alta and Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. The group consisted of my daughter Sofia and local teens Clara Pysh, Warren Lewis, Liam Lyons and John Esposito. During this trip we got to work alongside Convoy of Hope, a USA faith-based organization committed to rebuilding or replacing houses damaged by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. On this trip we helped build three houses. One of these houses belonged to Aixa, a single mother of three small children. Right after the hurricane, Aixa had no choice but to send her two oldest sons to live with their dad in the USA because she was having difficulty providing basic necessities for them, such as food, water and shelter.

Photos of Aixa's house during construction:

On this trip we also delivered food, water and appliances to people in need:

Second Benefit: September 2019

Over the summer of 2018, with the help of the Immaculate Conception Church in Irvington, NY and local teenagers, we organized another Teen Benefit to raise money for Teens4PR.

This benefit, like the previous one, involved musical talent from local teenagers, food, dancing, a raffle and the performance of a professional Salsa group --who taught us a few Salsa moves! This event raised a total of $9,750.00 plus a private donation of $5,000 for a grand total of $14,750.00. Awesome!!!

In mid January 2019, the Davila Garcia Project was thrilled to receive another private donation, this time of $15,000.00!!! This money was used to purchase home appliances, mattresses, building material, partial labor cost for roofs in Vega Baja and Toa Alta, as well as 17 twin beds for a home sheltering abused and neglected children in Arecibo, PR. This orphanage had significant damage to their building and as a result about 50% of their beds were ruined.

Fourth Trip: February 2019

In February 2019, the Garcia Davila Project went on its fourth trip to PR. Another group of teenagers took part: Sofia Garcia, Gabriela Veciana, Julia Weber, Lexi Downes and Skye Bosshart. Gabriela's mother, Claudia, also went with us. It was nice to have some adult company! We helped build houses and purchased some building material, appliances and mattresses.

Picking up appliances for Fernando, Jose and Mayra, residents of La Esperanza

PROGRESS

A lot of people ask me if there's any progress. YES, there's progress. Because of your generosity -- with time, money and supplies -- the Garcia Davila Project has made a difference: about 150 people are sleeping on new mattresses, about 30 people are cooking meals on new stoves, about 30 more people can store their food safely in refrigerators, about 12 families have washing machines, three now have a roof over their heads, and countless more have benefited from the building material we provided. But most importantly, the people of Puerto Rico, not only in Toa Alta, Vega Baja and neighboring areas, but those who hear that we come from New York to help out, feel blessed, inspired, hopeful and grateful knowing that people care for them. These people are always trying to find ways to thank us and always want to feed us! They want to reciprocate even though they have very little if anything at all. We have seen lots of happy and sad tears. We have laughed and cried ourselves, and in the end, I feel we get the most out of this experience. A big "THANK YOU" to all of you. Without your support, and the hard work of these motivated teenagers, none of this would have been possible.

SOME BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS:

This is Don Isidoro's house for 30 years. No water or electricity. He is 91 years old. With our funds and funds from the local government, his new house, shown below is almost finished.

Don Isidoro getting a hair cut!

His new house is getting built right next to his old one.

This is Ramon Luis Rivera's house. He built this house himself and somehow, it survived the Hurricane. But he didn't have a bathroom or running water. His new house is shown below.

Ramon Luis' new house!

Johany, a single mother of a little boy. The hurricane flattened her house but she put it back together. They lived here until her new house was finished (green house shown below)

Although built in wood, this house and Ramon Luis' were built to sustain Hurricane winds.

This is just a sample of the many appliances we replaced. All refrigerators and stove/oven combinations were replaced with new appliances. Old washing machines were replaced with refurbished ones.

The owner of this washing machine kept using it despite the fact that she had to pour the water in and then take it out with buckets.

The oven was not working and only two burners were in working condition. The refrigerator on the top right was the only one working. Too small for a family of four. Both appliances were replaced.

Refrigerator was replaced.

NEW APPLIANCES:

COMING UP:

A fifth trip with local teens is in the works for July 2019.

Please fill free to spread the word about this Project and Teens4PR. And again THANK YOU for your interest and for your generous donations.

To donate please visit Teens4PR.org and mention the Garcia Davila project.

February 11, 2019

HI! UPDATE SINCE LAST TRIP.

FIFTH TRIP - JULY 2019

Hi everyone. It's been a while. I just wanted to update you on my last trip and inform you that another trip is in the works for April 2020. A group of five very motivated teenagers is gearing up for the sixth trip! Exciting! But first let's talk about our July trip.

This time the group consisted of Irvington, NY teenagers: Bella Smith, siblings Matthew and Alice Fisher, James DeCarlo and my son Michael A Garcia. The group got along right from the get go and towards the end no one wanted to go back to the USA! Don't get me wrong, they worked, trust me they worked, but the work was very rewarding and they truly enjoyed it.

Upon arrival, the island's atmosphere was tense due to political upheaval. Protests were taking place in several areas such as Old San Juan and the Financial District. Luckily we didn't have to drive through those areas in order to get to Toa Alta and Vega Baja. A few days after the trip ended, the governor resigned and left the island.

During this trip, we mostly concentrated on building the foundation and flooring of Angel's house. Angel is married and has two small children. He also has a full time job, but everyday after work he joined us to work building his house.

While working at Angel's house we noticed a nearby house with missing walls. We approached Wanda, the owner of the house, who told us that when Hurricane Maria struck, she and her family of four were living at a rental house. The house was destroyed and they lost all of their belongings. Her husband was attempting to build the house were they are now living with whatever scrap materials he found. Since Hurricane Maria, Wanda's husband has been selling snow cones on a part time basis, while searching for a better job in his free time. Wanda's severe skin condition and depression prevents her from holding a job. Upon inspection of this house we found that there was no front door, no bathroom door, no table, one chair, one chest of drawers, one portable stove, no oven, no washing machine, no utensils. We talked to the Pastor to see if we could help this family. With funds from Teens4PR, we bought them building materials, a set of table and four chairs, a stove/oven combination, and a washing machine. The owner of Ileanita's the furniture/appliance store we normally purchase appliances and mattresses from, donated a living room set. Pastor Rodriguez and his team of good people in Toa Alta took upon the task of building this family a new home. I hope to see it on my April trip and post "after" pictures. The "before" pictures can be found here.

During this trip we also purchased four mattresses, three chests of drawers, one stove/oven combination and three interior doors for Lissette whose house is just about finished!

Again thanks to all who made this trip possible. Without the kids enthusiasm and hard work and your donations we wouldn't have been able to help these families.

The group with Pastor Rodriguez (red shirt).

Above, Angel's current home.

Teens building the foundation together with local workers.

Angel's new home is getting built next to his current home. His old house will be demolished once the new one is finished.

Building the flooring.

Flooring done!

Sifting cement.

Wanda's house with missing walls.

An old towel being used as a door for the bathroom.

Stairs leading to entrance of the house. House has no front door.

Stove on an old and broken bed.

The following pictures were taken by the Pastor after we departed. Progress at Angel's house!

THANKS AGAIN. UNTIL NEXT TIME! ADIOS!

SIXTH SERVICE TRIP:

Hola!! WE ARE BACK! Due to the Pandemic, no service trips to Puerto Rico took place in 2020. But in 2021 another amazing group of teens from the Irvington, NY high school donated their time and raised funds to improve the lives of numerous people in Villa Esperanza, Toa Alta. The following were the participants: James Oley, Malka Halliwell, Elise Harcsar and Findley McRae. These kids showed great enthusiasm and always worked with a smile even in the dead heat of August. Most of their time was dedicated in building Cheo's house. At the time, Cheo and his wife were expecting a child in March of 2022, and they were really looking forward to moving into their new home as soon as possible. Thanks to their time and funds collected Cheo's house, and some other smaller projects, are on their way to be completed. Cheo, who recently lost his job due to severe migraines, and his wife and two dogs!, were most grateful for our assistance. Cheo is currently seeing multiple specialists to treat this most debilitating condition.

Below are photos of the work at Cheo's house:

NEWS!!! SUMMER 2023. Yet again, a wonderful group of childhood friends from the Irvington, NY High School has just booked their tickets for a service trip in order to continue assisting the community of Villa Esperanza, Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. The Garcia Davila Project is thrilled with this great news. Unfortunately, Teens4PR is closing their doors. The Garcia Davila Project, however, will continue its partnership with Pastor Elvis Rodriguez and his church: Iglesia Cristiana Cristo Redentor, a fully credited church in Toa Alta.

This year's participants are: Brady Kadro, Jonny Guerrero, Alex Shapiro and CJ Steinberg. Looking forward to a very successful and fun week in Puerto Rico where more families will be benefiting from this group's generous assistance. Since the devastating Hurricane Maria in September of 2017, Puerto Rico has significantly benefited not only from major financial assistance from the USA and numerous non profit organizations but from small grassroots groups such as ours. But work is still to be done. Assistance like ours is not only beneficial for the victims of the hurricane but for the participating kids. This is clearly a two way benefit. Kids learn a lot about giving and receiving. Opportunities like these remind us that giving is much more gratifying than receiving. Pastor Elvis Rodriguez and Villa Esperanza cannot wait for the kids arrival in early August. Thank you kids!!!

SEVENTH SERVICE TRIP: AUGUST 5 - 11, 2023

My good friend Maggie Kadro arrived to Puerto Rico with her son Brady and his best buddies from Irvington, NY high school on August 5th. The buddies were, as mentioned above, Jonny Guerrero, Alex Shapiro and CJ Steinberg. They couldn't be more excited. Armed with the money they raised and their great enthusiasm to help those in need we got started to an awesome and very tiring week with the August sun beating on our backs every single day. August is the hottest month in Puerto Rico. But the good thing is that Toa Alta, as the name indicates, is located high in the central mountains so it was bit cooler than on the coast were our lodging was located.

After meeting with Pastor Elvis Rodriguez, the kids got started in the initial stages of Tony's house in Villa Esperanza. Tony had started working on his house in the prior years, but between lack of funds and illnesses, he was forced to stop. The kids started by transporting sand, gravel and bags of cement to the work area. These, together with water, are the basic materials needed to make "hormigon" or the cement mix needed to create columns at the intersection of cinder blocks as well as to join the cinder blocks together.

While working on this house, we got a call from my cousin, informing us of used bathroom items such as vanities and sinks, available for free. My cousin is in the interior design business so at times she gives me discarded household items that Villa Esperanza folks could use in their new homes. These were great news since items like these can be costly. We also assisted a family getting school uniforms. Schools in PR begin in early to mid August and every school requires uniforms, whether private or public schools. So being early August we decided to help a brother and sister from this community with their new uniforms. They couldn't be happier!

Also on this trip, Maggie, the Pastor and myself took some time to meet up with the town's mayor. The honorable Clemente Agosto met with us at his office in City Hall. We brought up the subject of possibly building a playground for the Villa Esperanza and Galateo community in partnership with Alexandra's Playground, an Irvington, NY foundation that builds playground in underprivileged communities. The mayor was open to the idea. We promised to follow up with his office in the near future.

By the end of the week, the kids were pleased with their work and glad to have worked alongside the pastor and members of his community such as Bo and Julio, two contractors who supervise and assist with the projects.

Upon departure from PR, the kids had the opportunity of continuing helping the island by taking with them rescued dogs on their flights to NY. That was the cherry on the cake. Four lucky dogs from a local organization called Flight Angels were transported to forever homes in NY. PR has a huge problem with stray and abandoned dogs. The situation got worse when families got uprooted after Hurricane Maria and suddenly left the island. Unfortunately, many had to abandoned their pets as well.

Thank you guys!!! And keep up the good work.

Talking to the Toa Alta's mayor.

Saving dogs too!!

EIGTH SERVICE TRIP: JULY 8-15, 2024

WOW! The biggest group so far! Six kids all the way from Hawaii!!! And a mother, thank God! Mothers always help with the meals which is huge for me. The mother was my dear friend Deborah Cooney. The kids: her son Rylan, Braden Robinson, Seizo Sexton, Torin Canady, Josh Kauhane and Hadley Hamilton-Lowe. These kids attend Punahou High School in Oahu, Hawaii, where aside from being excellent students, they all play competitive Volleyball.

This group arrived in Puerto Rico with boundless energy. Prior to their arrival in Puerto Rico, the group spent a very intense week playing competitive volleyball at a Nationwide Volleyball Tournament in Orlando, Florida. They, however, did not show any desire to slow down. They were ready to get to work as soon as they arrived.

On Tuesday July 9, we all made the one hour and a half drive to Toa Alta to meet Pastor Elvis Rodriguez. We met him at the site of his future church, Iglesia Cristiana Cristo Redentor. Here we met another group of volunteer students from a non profit organization called Praying Pelicans. This group worked alongside our group the entire week. After a short meeting of introductions and information regarding the work site we departed to the work site.

At the work site we met the owners of the house getting built: Andres, a cancer patient, his wife Elsie and their special needs adult daughter Madeline. The house was under construction. A different group had already started it. It had a subfloor, walls and plumbing and electricity put in but not hooked up yet. Here we also met the contractors who instructed us and guided us every day: Eladio “Bo” and Julio. Essential personnel.

Andres and his family lost their house as a result of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Since then, they have been living with different relatives. They can’t wait to move to their new home! The family expressed their gratitude towards us every single day and every single day Elsie cooked a home made lunch of delicious Puerto Rican food for us. Despite his cancer, Andres went to the site every day to work as much as he was able to. Andres is a determined man who just wants the best for his family.

Months before arriving in Puerto Rico, this group of kids fund raised for this trip. As always, Project Garcia Davila, ask the participants to raise at least $1,000 per participant. This money is normally used to purchase building material. At times a small amount is used to purchase basic furniture. For Andres’ house we used the funds to purchase “hormigon” materials (more ahead) and all the tiles needed for the entire house including the bathrooms. This house, unlike all the houses the Project has worked on, has two bathrooms. The reason this house has two bathrooms (a luxury in this area of town) is because of Madeline, who as an adult special need person needs extra care and supervision thus extra room.

During this trip, the group worked mostly on Andres’s house. Here they mixed cement powder with gravel, sand and water to make cement mixture locals call “hormigon”. This mixture is done with shovels since renting an electric mixer is pricey. The mixture was used to make the corner columns that join walls together and the horizontal beams over the walls that will eventually support the ceiling. At times, the group also worked on the Pastor’s church which was also affected by the Hurricane. In fact his church had to be closed and a new one is getting built, slowly, from the ground up, at a location nearby. The Pastor’s primary objective is to help his neighbors’ in need. But on a slow or rainy day, Project Garcia Davila helps out at his church which already has a roof.

By the end of the week, this group was completely satisfied with their work here and so were everyone else involved in it. Andres and Elsie couldn’t be more grateful and the Pastor encouraged them to come back next year. No encouragement was actually needed. Since early in the week, the kids were already showing interest in coming back in the summer of 2025. And I really hope they do. In Toa Alta we could use many more groups like this one, full of enthusiasm and filled with a great desire to help those in need. Please come back!!!

Moms, Pastor and the group working at Andres and Elsie's house

Working alongside the Praying Pelican group.

Praying Pelican, Elsie, Madeleine and our group!

NINTH SERVICE TRIP. JULY 4-11, 2025

And they are back!!! The Hawaiian group is back and if possibly more enthusiastic and more energized than last year. This year we lost one kid but gained another and we have an extra mother to help out as well. The group consists of: Rylan Cooney, Braden Robinson, Seizo Sexton, Torin Canady, Josh Kauhane and Avery Garvin. Plus the two moms, Deborah Cooney and Seizo’s mom Jamie Wilson. Thank you all for your service!!

This year the group came up with different ideas to fund raise for this service trip. They set up a Go Fund me page, several car wash events a bake sale and they even organized a day of Body treatments and cold plunges! They are not only hard working kids but creative kids!

Again, this group came down after an exhausting week of Volleyball in an Orlando nation wide tournament. They however, didn’t miss a beat and got to work the day after their arrival. Because they were scheduled to leave on Friday July 11, and because we normally work 5 days a week, we did something different this time. Through a local non profit called Para La Naturaleza we organized a day to plant 55 native trees. Para La Naturaleza is a foundation committed to the preservation and restoration of nature on the island. On Saturday July 5, the kids got up early and we embarked on an hour drive to an area called Bosque Pitahaya in Canovanas, PR. Here we met members of Para La Naturaleza, who provided us with the the trees, tools and instructions for the task ahead. An area of Bosque (Forest) Pitahaya, in the past had been cleared for pasture and another area had been destroyed by Hurricane Maria. This area however had not been used for pasture in over 50 years. This is where Para La Naturaleza comes in. Armed with picks and shovels our group planted a total of 55 native trees including fruit trees such as guava and soursop trees. These trees were about 4-6 feet tall and had been cultivated from seeds at the many nurseries Para La Naturaleza owns and/or manages.

After a day full of sun, mosquitoes and dirt, we left the area looking much better than upon arrival but also with a great sense of accomplishment.

On Monday July 7, 2025 we got in our cars and drove to Toa Alta to once again meet with Pastor Elvis Rodriguez at his church.

At the church we met another group of high schoolers from a different non profit organization this time: Mission Discovery. We also met with our contractors, “Bo” and Julio. After a short meeting we departed to work at Andres and Elsie’s house, the same house we worked on last year.

Andres and Elsie were really happy to see the group back. And we were thrilled to be back to hopefully make substantial progress at their house. Unfortunately, due to illnesses and lack of funds, their house wasn’t even close to be finished. The walls had been plastered and the roof installed but there was still a lot to be done. The entire roof was funded with this group money from last year’s collection.

We began by painting the entire house, inside and out. We also helped clear the entire area in front of the house for a future porch and fence.

Again, Elsie cooked us a home cook meal most days and brought it over at lunch time. Andres helped out whenever he wasn’t at a doctor’s visit or getting treatment.

This time we also worked on the Pastor’s church. The church had secured tiles from a donor, so we worked on clearing the floor and preparing it for the tile work. We also mixed cement and plastered the rear area of the church’s exterior walls.

On Friday July 11 this wonderful hard working group of kids departed PR knowing that their efforts paid off. The progress made at Andres and Elsie’s house will have them closer to moving date.

Thank you Hawaii! From one island to another! Islander to islander! We will never forget this group that so easily fitted in with the locals because of all we have in common: flora, beaches, mountains, tropical weather and even some of the food. We would love to have you over again, and again and again!! Aloha!

With Para La Naturaleza crew at Bosque Pitahaya.

In front of Pastor Elvis' church.

ELEVENTH SERVICE TRIP: JULY 5-12, 2026

It's been nine years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico. And here we are again, helping restore the lives of those affected by it.

This year's group is again from Irvington, NY and attend Irvington High School. The youngest group so far. They are raising juniors! One mother also came along for the ride. The participants were: Twins Jude and Hudson Harcsar and their mom, Kathy, KJ Mastroprieto, Brady Andrela and Julian Schmidt. These kids have been friends since they were very little and are also neighbors.

This group raised funds on their own through jobs they took throughout the year such as shoveling snow and landscaping.

On July 6, and after an hour plus drive we met up with Pastor Elvis Rodriguez and a group from Mission Discovery, a non profit organization, at the Pastor's ever growing church. After a briefing we split into two groups: Half of Mission Discovery went to work at Andres's house and the other half went with us over to Gadiel's house, a new location for Project Garcia Davila. At the church we also met up with our usual contractors, Bo and Julio. Introductions to the group were done and off we went.

The house was located at a dead end, in an area called Las Casitas, about 30 minutes from Villa Esperanza. The house had all the exterior and interior walls up and a sub floor.

The construction at Gadiel's house began after Hurricane Maria hit the island by Gadiel's mother. Gardiel's mother is actually Elsie's daughter His mom had lost her own house to the Hurricane and was then diagnosed with Lupus and cancer. She was forced to abandon the project. Gadiel's mother eventually transferred the home to his son's name, who is now trying to build it up and finish it for his own family which consists of himself, wife and two kids.

Once again Bo and Julio gave us essential instructions on the art of construction!! Thank you for your patience!!!! Bo and Julio have extensive experience and are very good at teaching the kids their trade. The first two days were spent mixing cement powder, gravel, sand and water to make "hormigón" or concrete. This mix was then used to make the beams supporting the future roof. Day three and four were spent preparing the area above the walls for the making of the beams. This area is made with plywood boards, screwed tightly onto the top area of the walls. This is a very time consuming process since it's got to be done with real precision. Day fifth was spent mostly purchasing basic furniture for Mr.Toledo a senior citizen living on his own. Mr. Toledo who suffers from severe depression had been living in deplorable conditions. Mission Discovery had recently cleaned up and painted his humble house. He, however, had no furniture, only a bed. So we used some of our funds to purchase a refrigerator, a table and two chairs, cabinets, a fan, bedding and towels at a local shop. Although we didn't get to meet Mr. Toledo personally, he profusely thanked Pastor Elvis for our help providing him with essential home goods. Happy we could help!

The week flew by! And again, this group expressed their desire to come back next year. I only hope they do. They worked really hard individually and in group and got along really well everyone involved in the project. And most importantly, they left with no injuries other than mosquito bites!!

Hope to see you next year!!