Puerto Rico: Lost and Forgotten

Sponsorships & Donations

Puerto Rico: Lost and Forgotten was sponsored by LifeStraw and provided over 150 water filters for families and individuals found in San Germán, Canóvanas, San Juan and Utuado.

In addition to the filters, 40 boxes filled with food and emergency supplies were donated to people who needed food and resources across the island.

This photo project focused on conveying how the lives of so many of Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million US citizens have been transformed into a demoralizing fight to survive after Hurricane Irma and María in 2017.

Goal

Puerto Rico historically has been an island of economic opportunities and strong communities. Encumbered by $73 billion in debt, and recuperating from the widespread destruction of Hurricane Maria, its social institutions and infrastructure have crumbled. The island’s worsening crisis is not fully understood in the continental United States.  

This project sought to tell the stories of several Puerto Ricans located all around the island, who are fighting to survive, despite the odds, three months after the devastation of the hurricane. As of September 2018, one year after the storm, most of these citizens have power with the exception of one.

José Vazquez (78), in what is left of his home in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. When it rains, water seeps through their patched roof into their salvaged furniture as well as the donated, hung clothes. Everything is constantly wet and full of mold. As a
An elderly woman (75) lives in this house with her pets. She has “adopted” homeless dogs, and given them a shelter within an abandoned house that is in currently bad conditions since the hurricane. December 27, 2017.
José Vazquez (78), in what is left of his home in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. When it rains, water seeps through their patched roof into their salvaged furniture as well as the donated, hung clothes. Everything is constantly wet and full of mold. As a
José (78) and María Vazquez (65) in their home. Their home was passed down to him verbally by his father who had built the house more than 70 years ago on abandoned land.  Without an official document, José was unable to prove ownership of his
José (78) and María Vazquez (65) in their home. Their home was passed down to him verbally by his father who had built the house more than 70 years ago on abandoned land.  Without an official document, José was unable to prove ownership of his
José (78) and María Vazquez (65) in their home. Their home was passed down to him verbally by his father who had built the house more than 70 years ago on abandoned land.  Without an official document, José was unable to prove ownership of his
Virginia (39) and her son Oscar Manuel (3), spend their afternoon in what is left of their home, a two-walled house without a roof. During the months following the hurricane, not having a roof became very problematic during very sunny days, or the d
Virginia (39) and her son Oscar Manuel (3), spend their afternoon in what is left of their home, a two-walled house without a roof. During the months following the hurricane, not having a roof became very problematic during very sunny days, or the d
A side of the street filled with debris in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico. A sight very commonly seen in every corner of the island, four months after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. December 27, 2017
In a neighborhood within Canóvanas - located in the northeastern region of the island - the Olea family stands strong refusing to leave. During the past four months over fifteen families have left their neighborhood due to the unsanitary and virtual
Isiamaris (4), and her brother inside enjoying a cold glass of water while their only generator powered utility cools bottled water. Powering their one refrigerator through a generator costs nearly $400 a month in gas and currently live with a const
In a neighborhood within Canóvanas - located in the northeastern region of the island - the Olea family stands strong refusing to leave. During the past four months over fifteen families have left their neighborhood due to the unsanitary and virtual
On December 28, 2018 this road was still completely impassable since the storm, on September 21, 2017. This road provided access to one house with several families residing in it, whom had to cross the river in order to get to town for 4+ months. De
Both four years old, demonstrated how it worked to travel in the only “safe” way to get across Río Grande river in Utuado immediately after Hurricane María. It consists of a basket and pulley system attached to a wire suspended above the river. In o
Zoraida (48) and Cristian (15) Sotomayor, checking their smartphones in the only place they have two bars of cell service without having to cross the river into town. Currently, they have to drive or hike down a long trail from their home to reach t
Every morning at 5am, Cristian (15) crosses the river on the pulley system, hikes two miles to a loaned car and goes to school. After school he works with his dad and doesn’t return until 10 at night; to hike another two miles and traverse the chann
Sunset view of El Morro Fortress from the devastated, low-income community of La Perla in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. December 29, 2017.
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