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Nearly three months after Hurricane Maria, parts of Puerto Rico are showing clear signs of recovery. But in Vieques, a remote island with nearly 9,000 residents eight miles off the main island’s coast, recovery is a long way off. There, some live in dingy conditions as they wait for help to rebuild, while others gather what they can to do it themselves.

Gregorio Velazquez Rivera, an 81-year-old who is blind, has left his destroyed home — which is totally unlivable — virtually untouched in the months since the hurricane.

He recently tore open an envelope from the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirming his address and basic information — an early step in the process of receiving federal assistance to help rebuild his home.

But when FEMA inspectors eventually come looking for him, they won’t find him at that address. The roof and several walls are caved in; the interior is a moldy mess of tree branches and destroyed furniture. One of the only things left standing is the bright pink facade adorned with a painted white horse.

“We need to rebuild a completely new house, it can’t be fixed,” he says.

‘No Man’s Land’: An Isolated Puerto Rican Island Struggles To Rebuild

Photos: Ricardo Arduengo for NPR

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When you finally get to eat !!!

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Sunday Memos #YouAreWelcome #PSA #ADayInMyStilettos (at Savin Hill Beach)

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So confused ...

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You friend will take a pic of you under the very sign that the world tries to shame you for ... It's funnel cake and that's that!!!! Lol (at Fenway Park)

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#ATLNights #LatePost (at Atlanta, Georgia)

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We're Here. #LatePost

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We Made It!!!! #bestiefun (at Harborside Inn Boston)

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We Made It !!! (at Truman Parkway)

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Kimmo after dark...

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She may not be around the corner but she will always be in my heart!!! I will miss her dearly ... @korshawilson #86Boston (at Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks)

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No matter where you go or how you get to see it... It's always so good!!! #InTheHeights (at Boston Center for the Arts)

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No one can dictate to you what you "need" to do. #memos

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#AboutLastNight #bestiefun (at Ocean Prime Boston)

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Sometimes you need someone to remind you of things you often times forget. Shout out to the impeccable @korshawilson for reminding me and a few others for allowing me, to just be. (at Ocean Prime Boston)

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True Story

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The Wonderful World of Jill Scott !!! #BestieFun #HeGraduated #AboutLastNight (at Boston Opera House)