the team selflessness and overall experience of helping individuals who unfortunately lost their homes, schools and churches due to natural disasters
What I wish was different
the communal living be separated by gender (everyone shares everything)
Advice
it's something you should consider, helping others ends up helping you the most
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Disaster Relief Volunteer
July - August 2018 • Yabucoa, PR
What I liked
Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts was a great glimpse into what can happen when a group of like-minded individuals work together to help a community in need. I loved seeing firsthand how every outside donation was being used to purchase materials for roofing, sanitation, and window and door replacement. It was incredibly gratifying.
What I wish was different
I volunteered for about a month. I only wish I had signed up to volunteer longer.
Advice
Do this. Volunteer with All Hands and Hearts and your life and interactions with people will be changed for the better. It was the most rewarding, humbling, soul-feeding experience I've ever had the privilege to be a part of.
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Team Member
May 2018 • Barranquitas, PR
What I liked
Working as a part of a team. Spending time in a new place and learning about its history and culture. Making an impact. Helping families rebuild after hurricane Maria. Meeting and working with new people from all around the world.
What I wish was different
I wish I stayed longer!
Advice
Do it! Go! It was so much fun. You won't regret the experience. You can try it for only a week if you're unsure, but it's a great environment for personal growth and happiness. Make a difference!
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Volunteer
July - August 2018 • Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands
What I liked
I loved how I was able to help people who drastically needed it, and for free unlike habitat for humanity!
What I wish was different
Advice
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Team Leader
May - August 2018 • Yabucoa, PR
What I liked
I was able to actively do something to help relief efforts in Puerto Rico. The manual work was hard and humbling, and the love for the local community was very special. Additionally living in a communal center with other volunteers was a very unique experience and a great opportunity for personal growth. Overall, it was challenging and beautiful, and one of the most human experiences of my lifetime.
What I wish was different
Nothing at all.
Advice
Go in without expectations and an open mind. There are poeple from all walks of life, and being prepared to accept everyone you live with is important. Additionally, being prepared for any type of work you are requested to do is important. I never would have imagined I would be spending the summer in a tyvek suit doing mold sanitation, but I am so grateful I was able to do the work!
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Volunteer
June - August 2018 • Toa Baja, PR
What I liked
I loved being surrounded by the community and culture that Puerto Rico has. The love, acceptance and fun is off the walls on this small island in the middle of the sea. It was amazing living with so many different people from all around the world.
What I wish was different
I wish I spent more time exploring the island when I was not working
Advice
This is a tough job, nothing about this experience was easy. But that is where the beauty came from. I learned so much about myself throughout my time in Puerto Rico, I am forever changed. My perspectives on life are different. Waking up every morning to fix people's homes was challenging, rewarding and fulling.
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Volunteer
June - July 2018 • Yabucoa, PR
What I liked
Meeting new people, learning new skills, getting out of my comfort zone, helping those that are in need
What I wish was different
Advice
Volunteer with All Hands!
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Volunteer
July - August 2018 • Saint John, United States Virgin Islands
What I liked
I love that I worked with like-minded people who were willing to help a compromised community. The staff was incredibly helpful, caring, and accommodating. It was a wonderful experience to be around everyone and especially the setting.
What I wish was different
The only thing I wish were different were the housing accommodations. We were sleeping in tents but I understand that because we were in a disaster zone so it wasn't readily available.
Advice
This experience is great, I believe everyone should volunteer abroad. It is a nice experience but you should definitely be ready for the weather and the emotional toll that comes with volunteering at a disaster site.
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All Hands and Hearts
June - August 2018 • Rockport, TX
What I liked
I enjoyed the people at the program! Everyone was friendly, patient, and willing to help anytime you asked!! I loved the feeling of rebuilding homes and knowing that soon the families will be able to live in their houses again. Plus, on our days off, we did lots of fun adventures which made me feel like I was a part of a family!!
What I wish was different
I wouldn't change a thing about the program, but I wish it wasn't so hot when I went.
Advice
Hard work pays off. At the end of the sweaty day, you made someone smile, and that's the best gift anyone could receive.
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Volunteer
May - June 2018 • Yabucoa, PR
What I liked
I loved the fact that I was able to immerse myself through this experience. We were housed in a local community, feeling the impact of Hurricane Maria, rather than residing in a resort in the populous city of San Juan. Staying in Yabucoa open my eyes and my heart to the devastation they were facing, including no water or electricity, months after the hurricane's landfall. I love that through my volunteer work of rebuilding 2 homes in 2 weeks, that I was able to connect with the homeowners and learn their stories. They clearly radiated their gratitude for these projects me and the other volunteers were doing. Overall it was a cool experience to meet other volunteers from all over the world, as well as meet and interact with locals, even on days that we weren't working. I was fortunate enough to attend local outing with the volunteers and locals such as a pig roast down the road from our volunteer base.
What I wish was different
I wish that I brought along more friends to help and volunteer.
Advice
I would definitely pack things you would be able to donate before you leave the base. Also I highly recommend going with a group of people, but also being able to branch out and meet the other volunteers and homeowners. It doesn't matter if you're a fluent spanish speaker, any attempt of speaking to the homeowners is very appreciated by them.
