Reaching the Isolated with Medical Care and HOPE

Arlene has been suffering from migraine headaches for three years. After Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September, the stress of coping with no electricity, rationed clean water and limited access to health care caused by the storm only exacerbated Arlene’s condition.

When Project HOPE volunteers brought medical services to her community through a weekend clinic, Arlene’s discomfort was dramatically lightened. “After the Hurricane, I have felt so isolated and alone,” she said. “The Project HOPE team listened, and provided me with quality care, with such warmth.”

“Our medical volunteers are going community to community, reaching isolated and hard to reach areas that have still received little help since Hurricane Maria,” said Andrea Dunne-Sosa, HOPE’s Regional Director of the Americas and Volunteer Programming. “We were able to provide Arlene with a consultation, medicines and a referral letter for additional medical care. But almost as importantly, we were able to let Arlene know that we have not forgotten her and others like her who still need medical support after Hurricane Maria.”

“Arlene was so relieved to see us and receive care, she expressed her gratitude through a tearful hug.”

Project HOPE’s Medical team continues to set up clinics in the communities most hard hit and difficult to reach in Puerto Rico, providing children, women and families with needed medical and psychological care and critical medicines, all while also helping to restore a sense of HOPE.

Since arriving in Puerto Rico after the storm, Project HOPE volunteers have

• Treated more than 1,500 patients
• Distributed 1,500 vials of insulin
• Coordinated the delivery of 2,600 water purification kits
• Transported $500,000 of medicines and hygiene kits to regions in most need

Volunteers are scheduled to continue working in Puerto Rico at least through December or as long as they are needed. Please support Project HOPE’s continuing work in Puerto Rico.