Rise Up 4 Puerto Rico (RU4PR)

It's been 8 months since Hurricane Maria hit the islands of Puerto Rico. To this day, there are plenty of areas where people are living without electricity.

Can you imagine what that would feel like..?

No fridge for food storage, no stove for cooking, no lights at night, no phones, no Wi-Fi.. and the list goes on..

I believe in the ripple effect each an individual can create, which in turn feeds the immense power of humanity through unity. This is why I chose to come here to Puerto Rico.

Natural disasters are occurring all around the world, so why Puerto Rico? The side island called Vieques was calling me, and the more I found out about this beautiful, yet abused island, the more it called.

So, why Vieques? Until recently (2013), this magnificent island was used as bombing and testing grounds for the US military. Locals have told me that they've even used Agent Orange on the island. There are still restricted areas the locals can't go into, due to land mines and other unexploded ordnance (bombs, missiles, bullets, etc).

This sacred little island is home to so much wildlife, and history. Archaeological evidence suggests that Vieques was first inhabited by ancient American Indian peoples who traveled from continental America perhaps between 3000 BC and 2000 BC.

I figured if the slate is being wiped clean, why not introduce clean energy as the solution? Most of the solar power plants have been destroyed, leaving hundreds of households dependent on the US government for aid. Solar panels allow each household to become more independent, while simultaneously using clean energy.

The funds raised here will also go to material for building pyramid gardens, water for the elderly, handing out clothes and food to those in need.

The estimated cost of providing solar panels for each home, is around $2900. That includes 4 panels, 2 lithium batteries with 7hrs of power each, and an inverter. This is a discount I've gotten on a package deal that normally averages around $5000-$6000.