Lehman LIFE- Puerto Rico Service Trip

General Overview

Hello! My name is Leah Benitez and I am a team leader for the Lehman L.I.F.E. Puerto Rico group. Our overall goal is to volunteer within our community and fundraise enough money to go on a service trip to Puerto Rico during our college’s spring break. The lingering effects from Hurricane Maria and the damage caused by the recent earthquakes has devastated the island, and our group wants to assist local Puerto Ricans in whatever way we can. Currently, we plan to stay in Caimito, where we will help build a library for the local community. We also plan to repair damage caused by the earthquakes.


Who I Am

Like I said before, my name is Leah Benitez. I am a sophomore studying math and computer science at Lehman College. I really love the challenge that comes with solving equations. I am totally the type to do Calculus for fun. Other than that, if I had to list three interests of mine, they would be: volunteering, dogs (love them!) and broadway music. 

My Past Service in Puerto Rico

Thanks to many generous donors last year, I was able to go on a service trip with Lehman LIFE during my spring break in April 2018. We stayed in a community center located in Mariana, Humacao, a beautiful barrio in the southwest region of Puerto Rico. The center’s main goal was to engage with the mostly elderly community and let them know that in the event of another hurricane, they would be there to help. 

We Lehman LIFER’s built a garden and catalogued books in a library. I spent the whole time in the library, thumbing through hundreds of books and writing down the information needed to find them. Now, I admit, it was tedious but it was also important. The local university’s library was damaged in Hurricane Maria- it still remains closed to this day- and many local students were finding themselves unable to properly do their homework. But after we finished in the library, and the community center opened to the public, students from all over came to utilize it. It feels nice to know I had a part- however small- in making that possible.

My time in Puerto Rico was really impactful for me. As a Puerto Rican myself, it felt amazing to learn more about my homeland and the local people who live there. They have been through a lot in Puerto Rico, yet they still have so much pride and love for their home. Hearing their stories and struggles was incredibly inspiring. And the way they welcomed us with open arms was so heart-warming. I honestly feel like they gave more to me than I ever gave to them. I will always be grateful for my experience there.

How YOU can Help

I will be responsible for covering the cost of the trip, airfare, and a number of added fees (due 4/2). Any contribution you may be willing to offer- even $1- would mean the world to me, as it would be one step closer to Puerto Rico and the service I hope to do there. Please,if you have any questions or concerns, contact me at [email redacted]y.edu. I would be more than happy to correspond with you.