This summer, I will be travelling to Puerto Rico to take part in development projects with Islamic Relief Canada in three main areas: Education, Food , and Water.

What is this for ?

The funds being raised will go towards an Islamic Relief’s development projects . These projects in Puerto Rico will empower the local community through sustainable development aid.

What will I be doing?

Over the duration of the field study, I will work on development projects. This includes school renovation; packing and distributing school kits; packing and distributing food, and helping in fundraising for two wells to provide local communities with clean water.

Volunteer Abroad Programs

Islamic Relief Canada’s Volunteer Abroad Programs are a unique way to contribute to some of IR Canada’s international projects. Prior to volunteering abroad, selected volunteers raise funds that go directly to the project they will be assisting with.

While on the field study , volunteers will be part of a collaborative program where they will take part in several activities, including peer-to-peer learning opportunities, food distributions, beneficiary home visits, and building refurbishment.  

This field study provides volunteers with the opportunity to see an existing IR Canada project, to contribute to the project through their fundraising efforts, and to positively interact with beneficiaries and project staff.

Why Puerto Rico?

Islamic Relief has been working in Puerto Rico since the 2000s in support of vulnerable communities. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and part of the United States. It has struggled with poverty long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 43% of Puerto Rico’s population, live in poverty, majority of them children. The island has also endured multiple disasters, the most recent being Hurricane Maria and COVID-19. These hardships have weakened Puerto Rico’s economy, infrastructure and health systems and have left vulnerable groups even more susceptible to poverty. The country’s vulnerability to severe hurricanes has perpetuated poverty in Puerto Rico. The most recent hurricane was also the most destructive in nearly a century. Our colleagues from Islamic Relief USA have been working in Puerto Rico, rebuilding homes, supporting a clinic by building a water infrastructure to provide clean water, distributing food and clean water, and also handing out school kits to children before the school year.