07/05/2018
Just received the following email but it really is for all of those that supported time and again the Serendipity charity dance parties last academic year, which helped raise funds for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico. Gracias!
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On behalf of the Narra Foundation and De Pueblo a Pueblo, we would like to thank you for your generous contribution toward our relief efforts in Mexico, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Your donation is the reason why we were able to raise and disburse a total of $14,171.19.
After carefully analyzing how the raised funds could be maximized while studying a number of diverse relief efforts that met our mission, we are happy to share how your dollars are helping the most needed people in the affected areas:
· De Pueblo a Pueblo contributed to the University of the Virgin Islands and its rebuilding general fund that is effectively addressing their campus as well as their community needs. Our collective contribution has helped purchased and supplied to the community generators, established food areas (similar to community kitchens), fixed homes of students/families, and contributed in establishing financial aid for students who lost everything and whose families are without jobs
· We also identified the Comité Melendre as a local business effort based in Oaxaca, Mexico that has channeled aid to people affected by the September earthquakes. Established in 2004 in Juchitán, this non-profit organization seeks to empower civil society, focusing on sustainability as well social, cultural and educational projects. Its program Canasta básica istmeña supports local business—buying directly from producers and sellers in Istmo de Tehuantepec.
· One of the needs identified was that of the Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) in Río Piedras’ José M. Lázaro Library which houses the unique Puerto Rican heritage collections. While the library administration was able to address mold infestation and polluted air in a timely manner, one of the major needs identified by library administration were scanners to digitize and thus preserve at-risk heritage collections from future natural disasters. Professor Arlene Díaz on behalf of De Pueblo a Pueblo-Narra Foundation, personally made the in-kind donation of two overhead document scanners to Professors Miguel Santiago and Myra Torres, library director and associate director, respectively. (more at: http://depuebloapueblo.com/en…/news/donation-to-upr-humacao/)
· At the Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) in Humacao our help focused on the Águedo Mojica Marrero Library, whose building suffered major structural damages. This repository houses another unique Puerto Rican heritage collections, such as the Santiago Iglesias Pantín labor movement collection and the personal library of Luis Rafael Sánchez among others. Priority was given to the purchase of dehumidifiers, blower fans and humidity meters as there is an urgency to mitigate the humidity inside the repository. Professor Arlene Díaz, on behalf of De Pueblo a Pueblo~Narra Foundation, personally delivered the much-needed equipment. (more at: http://depuebloapueblo.com/en…/news/donation-to-upr-humacao/)
· Finally, De Pueblo a Pueblo contributed to student-led community kitchens that help both students and local communities in need. Our efforts will focus on the community soup kitchens developed by the Centro para el Desarrollo Político, Educativo y Cultural (CDPEC) at several campuses of the Universidad de Puerto Rico. Much more than a soup kitchen, this grassroot promotes agriculture, sustainability and solidarity.
As you may already know, more than ten months after these events, most of the relief efforts have fizzled and it is still unclear how some of the various government assistances and other private fundraiser will be used. We hope that you stay tuned and join us in our future efforts to help bring some normalcy to our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Again, thank you for joining our efforts, we truly are grateful for your monetary contribution. We are certain that we have made a difference in some people’s lives.
From People to People (De Pueblo a Pueblo)
