When Josh Pickering and Brandon Burns saw the devastation in Puerto Rico caused by Hurricane Maria, they knew they wanted to help.
Pickering and Burns, both UF medical students, landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Friday to deliver 200 water filtration systems. The two will be in Puerto Rico for eight days as they hand out supplies.
“A lot of pathogens in the water get into your (gastrointestinal) tract that end up making you more dehydrated after drinking it,” said Pickering, a Navy veteran. “People are just drinking out of streams.”
The two will disperse the filters in the city of Caguas and other parts of the central mountain range. They also brought medication for Puerto Rico’s people, many of whom have been without water filtration and electric power since Hurricane Irma hit the island Sept. 20, he said.
“San Juan is less of a problem than other parts,” Pickering said.
Pickering said they haven’t seen any aid trucks in the mountainous regions of the country. Burns, 30, said his wife’s family lives in Caguas, Puerto Rico, which inspired him to help.
“The people of Puerto Rico are not only our fellow citizens, but are our family members as well,” Burns said. “They needed help with basics like food and medicine, and we were fortunate to answer the call.”
Pickering said the largest donation was from Sawyer Water Filters, which donated $10,000 worth of products.
The filters are tubing that can be hooked up to a bucket, which filters water as it goes through, he said.
Other groups donated supplies such as a Yeti cooler, various supplies from Florida Cracker Kitchen and medication donated from the First Response Training Group. Pickering and Burns intend to find local clinics to hand off the insulin and other medication for people in dire need.
“Those companies made this mission a reality and so much more effective because we can deliver tangible, life-saving aid to the island along with emotional support,” Pickering said.
