Puerto Ricans never know if they’ll have power. This is how they’re surviving.

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The isolated coastal region of Patillas, Puerto Rico, lost power when Hurricane Maria slammed into the U.S. territory back in September. It took several months to restore electricity to most of the region — and then suddenly, on April 18, an island-wide blackout put residents back in the dark again. 

“It’s like the hurricane came all over again,” says Norma I. Melendez, 55, who’s lived in Patillas since age 3. “We have this feeling of desesperanza — no hope, a feeling of helplessness.” 

Despite the sense of despair, local residents like Melendez are organizing to provide the community essential resources, such as clothes, food, medical supplies, and access to medical examinations. That story of improvisation and resilience is common across Puerto Rico, despite slow-moving recovery efforts.      Read more…

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