Wow. I can’t believe tomorrow we leave to Puerto Rico. Coming from Perth Amboy where our mayor is the first Latina Mayor and is Puerto Rican, we as a community have huge ties to Puerto Rico. From our massive Puerto Rican population to our amazing restaurants and annual PR festival, some may say that Perth Amboy is a little PR  all on its own. The aftermath of Maria was felt deeply in down. I have participated in fundraising and drive efforts. As a PC3 Bonner, and as I’ll mention in question 2, sustainable and renewable sources of energy are vital for people everywhere and the lack of resources in PR is what connects to my service.

The biggest key issue that resonated with me was the centralized major power grid system that led PR to a major downfall another with about 80% food coming from exports. Having studied abroad in Iceland, Ireland and Portugal on the topics of sustainability and renewable energy resources, I was able to gain a better understanding of how renewables are becoming more and more integrated worldwide. It surprised me how dependent an island with plenty of solar, wind and water potential depended on fossil fuels. Also, the planting of foods interested me as I visited a heated green house Restuarant in Iceland that famously grows tomatoes. If growing tomatoes in the middle of Iceland is possible, anything is possible... so long as the government backs it that is.

I hope to learn about the disparities in treatment of PR people and I hope to be able to speak to locals as well. I hope to be able to understand the road ahead for this healing island.