Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico as a Category 5 storm.
150-plus mile-per-hour winds threw houses and buildings around like a massive tornado
which covered the whole island.
In the wake of this storm, debris was left everywhere.
This boys’ home was no exception.
24 boys live in this facility, each of them having weathered their own personal storms,
which led them here.
Their faces can’t be shown for fear that abusers from their pasts will find them and
try to harm them.
This is Alex. He’s an adult now, but this was his home as a child.
Now, many years later, he works here--giving hope back to children with backgrounds just
like his.
As he showed us around the property, he reflected on his life.
One day, my mom was at a doctor’s appointment and my brothers were at camp.
At that time, I looked for the matchbox, lit the match and put it on the bed.
By the time the matches fell, the whole place started to catch fire, starting with the bed.
Neighbors called my grandma and told her they smelled smoke.
At that time my grandma was trying to put out the fire.
She wasn’t able to find me because a neighbor saved me and took me to the hospital.
The accident happened when I was three years old.
After that time I was removed from my family.
At the time, social services was concerned for his safety, so they moved Alex to Casa Andres,
where he could heal.
When I came to the caregivers, they told me that they will take me to surgery.
At that time, my life changed because I knew my scars would be gone.
And I have been living my whole life with the scars.
When I go outside, I see people look at me.
They see me as a phenomenon.
I felt so bad.
I didn’t know how to defend myself because I came from a place where they always treated
me well.
That’s why I’m grateful at this moment, at this caregiver.
That’s why I’m working here and that’s why I want to be part of this.
I don’t want them to feel bad about my situation, because everyone is equal.
They won’t feel different because of the people outside.
This is a home where children are loved and their psychological wounds are healed, but
the home needed a lot of work after Hurricane Maria wrecked their lives.
There is a lot of trash and debris that we need to pickup, but we can do this if we work
as a team.
We are also willing to help to fix everything
that happened here.
Orphan's Promise saw the need at Casa Andres
Debris was all over the yard. Damaged and stained ceiling tiles needed replaced.
Clean water supplies were low, and those burdens take an emotional toll on the staff as they care for these boys.
So the team from Orphan's Promise took to the property with chainsaws, trash bags and rakes.
Volunteers and contractors hauled off the debris that Maria left in her wake.
While there, the staff at Casa Andres were able to shift their focus back to their jobs.
Loving and serving the boys at this home.
I want to thank Orphan's Promise. People like you are needed in the world.
For the great support that you are providing. You are not obligated to do it.
For serving the community and especially for the kids!