Disaster relief to Puerto Rico

UD SABIC Foundation Year students organize a supply drive to bring relief to communities that they helped to build in Puerto Rico.

Three weeks ago, Puerto Rico was hit by a devastating hurricane. Since that time, many Puerto Rican communities have been struggling without electricity, clean water and other basic necessities. Millions of people have been watching in disbelief as the heartbreaking news about Puerto Rico has been shared by media outlets, and many have generously donated money to relief efforts.

However, for a special group of students at the University of Delaware, the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico has hit “too close to home.”

In 2016, students enrolled in the Foundation Year program at the University of Delaware English Language Institute (ELI) (sponsored by SABIC Americas, Inc.) traveled to Puerto Rico on a service learning trip. They spent one week learning about Puerto Rican culture and history while helping to build homes in the low-income community of Villa Del Rio. | See the students’ documentary film about their trip

This trip was a transformative experience for the SABIC students. It proved to be so popular that new cohorts of the Foundation Year program went to Puerto Rico earlier this year, and we expect to repeat the trip for a new cohort in 2018.

Not only does Puerto Rico now hold a special place in their hearts, but these students also gained an understanding of the importance of helping those in need.

Now, over a year since starting the trips to Puerto Rico, UD’s SABIC students have seen the terrible news about the impact that Hurricane Maria has had on the island — and they are ready to take action.

The students have partnered with several agencies from the State of Delaware (see below) to organize a drive to collect supplies for Puerto Rico. They are inviting all members of the UD and ELI community to donate items that are desperately needed in the relief effort.

Time is of the essence. Therefore, we are asking for all supplies to be donated by October 18.

If you are interested in participated, please see the lists below in order to ensure that your donation will be accepted.