Since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico three months ago, more than half of the country was living without electricity. Efforts seem not to be enough as there are still many families having this problem.
On December 8th, 72 days after the disaster, 9-year-old boy Nathaniel De Jesús Martínez lost it after realizing that the power had finally returned home. He cried when he noticed the clock on the kitchen stove was back on.
His mom, Nayoka Martínez, was capturing the moment on video while asking, “Why are you crying?” to which he repeatedly replied, in tears, “The electricity returned!”
When Nayoka Martínez spoke to TV show Orgullo Boricua WOB-TV, she said that she wanted to record his reaction to show his father, but she did not expect him to burst into tears. She was amazed by that.
At first, she only shared the video with those who were close to the family. When someone told her that the video made people who share the same sentiment cry, she thought it would be a good idea to share it.
She hopes to send a message of hope to those who still don’t have electricity in their home. The reporter asked Nathaniel what he missed the most while they did not have power.
“The hot water,” he replied. Nathaniel delivered a message to those who were still in need, “Have faith, Christ is the light of the world, electricity is going to return soon.”
This article was inspired by LATINA // WATCH: Boy Bursts into Tears When Electricity Finally Returns to His Home in Puerto Rico