Puerto Rico se llevanta, but not alone. The United Confederation of Taino People will be raising money for their Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund during Healing BORIKEN, a FUNdraiser for all being held at UTEC, 35 Warren Street, Lowell, MA from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 22nd! The goal is to raise $5,000.00 for our community in Puerto Rico through this supported fund. Healing BORIKEN is asking for a $20 minimum donation ($5 for kids 10 and up!) during the event and all are welcomed to bring a dish for the Pot Luck table, which all are also invited to enjoy! Garments and items will be up for sale, raffle and auction too all toward the evening’s $5,000.00 donation goal.

The people keep speaking. Monies raised will go directly to these voices in the forms of water purification products, insect repellent, mosquito nets, personal hygiene products and emergency cash in hand. If you are unable to attend, your support is still welcomed via PayPal. at http://www.paypal.me/chalInaru

Not only will Healing BORIKEN be celebrated through Motherland culinary dishes, live percussionists and their driving hands will be bringing Rhythms to your hips! Not only will food and the drum engage with you, the inimitable House of Nahdra and its Royal Tribe will be in the house to fascinate spectators, as ever always! Spoken Word will also fill the air and the Love, Omnipresent. Hollywood Lights will be speaking on behalf of those still in the dark and dancing is predicted! This is truly a special gathering for a bigger than Us Reality we continue to look directly at.

BORIKEN VIVE.

Chali’lnaru, the UCTP Representative organizing and hosting Healing BORINKEN “decided to create Healing BORIKEN in hopes of raising as much money as possible to help with the rebuilding process in Puerto Rico. Not only do we want to help rebuild structures, help with replanting of crops, and provide fresh water, Healing BORIKEN is also here to rebuild self-esteem. Our people on the island are still suffering and not only physically but emotionally. We want them to know that they’re not alone that we’re here as one nation to help, we haven’t given up on them. Nor will we. Right now the main focus is Healing BORIKEN. There’s no doubt in my mind that I will hold future events and or fundraisers. No matter where you’re from, what you’re background is, your nationality, race, never forget where you came from. Our ancestors live within us. And for that we honor them. Without them we wouldn’t be here. Seneko Kakona (Abundant Blessings) (in taino language).”

As a AmeriRican, I ask that you consider donating via Paypal or attending personally for this cause. Your Neighbors, Your People, Strangers that can be You, are alive in this reality. We have the power of making their reality better day by day. Thoughts and Prayers are cool, but have you ever seen the result of Action?

ACT ON. Thank You Chali’lnaru, The United Confederation of Taino People and YOU for loving Us back.

Liza Zayas is a lover of writing and dancing and celebrates both as a singer and songwriter performing as Luna del Flor. You can hear her collaborative sounds and experience life through her storytelling. She invites you to dance. Her poetry seeks to initiate dialogue by intentionally expressing consequences of love, lust, ego and self-respect.