Puerto Rico: Homebuilding & Community Connection

Staying at globalworks big yellow house for a week was one of the most unexpected fun experiences I’ve ever had. Meeting and connecting with 16 other teens from all over the U.S. made the experience so meaningful and allowed for a trip with even more memories with people my age. Seeing how others lived in Puerto Rico after the hurricane was also an eye opening experience and showed me to not take things for granted. Working at the construction site with angel, iggy, Willie, and Bryan was very safe and organized and I would say that the construction and pouring concrete was the most fun I had on the trip, because it is something that you can’t just go out and do whenever you want at home. Having a goal of building a house for someone who needed it made the process more motivating, as everyone was determined to finish the work to help those in need. Overall, I heavily recommend going on the Puerto Rico service trip if you are looking to explore Puerto Rico, help others, meet new people, and work on speaking Spanish.

My teenage daughter went to Puerto Rico last Summer with Global Works and absolutely loved every moment. We were both impressed by the professionalism, excellent communication, and the strong emphasis on safety throughout the trip. It was the perfect blend of meaningful service work and fun, engaging activities. She liked every aspect of the trip, from the community service projects to the cultural experiences and outdoor adventures. She came home inspired and is already excited for her next Global Works adventure!

This was such a great experience for my 17-year-old son. He is a hard worker so going to a place where he could see, first hand, his work making a difference in people's lives was amazing. He loved the community they worked with, the culture, and the different experiences. The week without phones brought the kids together and they created good bonds. The worst part of the trip was when they got their phones back to arrange to go home. He will be talking about this experience for the rest of his life.

I really enjoyed going on the service trip. I was able to meet many people from many different walks of life. It was interesting to compare and contrast how different people went about different situations, both socially and personally. The housing was great, aside from a lack of hot water sometimes. Food was good, considering I am a vegetarian, and I was still able to find things to eat. Counselors were very relatable, which also added some more intrigue to the thing as a whole. Overall, the experience was great.

This was my teen's first experience in Puerto Rico and working with a community in an unfamiliar culture on joint problem solving and solutions. Their focus was hurricane resilience in the built environment, and the access to the homes and hospitality of the intergenerational families the group worked with could not have been better planned and framed. It was just the right mix of being outside the comfort zone and being supported. Loved the friendship building between kids of different ages and backgrounds within the program, as well. Global Works is super organized and really well run. The trip leaders are extremely well chosen, exactly the kind of influencers and experience-facilitators we all want our kids exposed to.

My 16 year old daughter just returned from a week in Puerto Rico doing construction work. This was her first trip with Global Works. She had an absolutely awesome time. She immediately bonded with a girl from New York. Her favorite part was the actual construction work. They built a concrete roof for a family of 5 whose house was damaged 3 years ago. The planning and communication from Global Works was excellent. When my daughter’s return flight was delayed, Global Works immediately reached out and said she would be taken care of if she had to spend another night in Puerto Rico. On the drive home from the airport, my daughter was on the Global Works website looking for her next trip.

My daughter participated in the Hurricane Relief program in Puerto Rico with Global Works and it was transformative. She learned so much about the culture, history and ecology of PR and had an amazing experience -mostly because she was able to truly contribute to the cause set forth by the program. She felt that the work she was doing was worthwhile and the leaders were excellent. The work performed by the group was challenging at times but very satisfying for her. She would definitely do this again!

During her time in San Juan, my daughter had an incredibly impactful and rewarding volunteer experience. Devoting herself to serving others, she took part in building homes, lending a hand in the process of reconstruction and renewal. Witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, she felt a profound connection to the community and their journey towards recovery. Amidst the devastation, she channeled her passion for environmental preservation, working tirelessly to help nurture and cultivate plants that were vital to restoring the region's natural beauty.

Through her selfless efforts, my daughter played an instrumental role in fostering hope and healing for the people of San Juan. As she collaborated with locals and fellow volunteers, she not only honed her construction and gardening skills but also cultivated a deep appreciation for the power of collective action. The bonds she forged with the community members were invaluable, as they worked together to rebuild not only homes but also the spirit of resilience that defined the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Her volunteer experience in San Juan left an indelible mark on her heart, reinforcing her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. I couldn't be prouder of my daughter for embracing this opportunity to help those in need and demonstrate the importance of solidarity and compassion in times of crisis. This experience has undoubtedly shaped her into a more empathetic, compassionate, and responsible global citizen, ready to face any challenges that lie ahead with determination and kindness.