Dominican Republic
In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, we primarily work with the Haitian immigrant population. This population has very limited employment and educational opportunity but demonstrates great resiliency and potential when provided with opportunities.
We began working in the community of Puerto Plata in 2006 by first conducting a street census, collecting information on the hundreds of boys who walk the streets shining shoes or street vending each day. We were asked by our team leaders at the time, in conjunction with another organization, to find out the situation among this population. This led us to create the:
Searching for Life Boys Home, School, & Program
and
Also through the initial street census and our attempts to meet the needs we saw, we learned that access to education is hard to come by for Haitian immigrants living in the Dominican Republic. This led us to create the:
Along the way, we met local Haitians who were working together to develop their communities and looking for partnerships in doing so. This led us to develop a significant partnership with:
The Organization of the Development of Haitians in Saman
As we worked to develop these programs, we couldn't help to lend a hand to people who did not fit into one of the specific programs when their need is great. This causes us to also designate resources toward:
Since our original street census efforts began with volunteer groups and our founders first came to the country as volunteers themselves, we always invite those interested in coming down to participate in our:
International Volunteer/Collaboration Program
Through the interests and efforts of consecutive volunteer groups beginning in March 2010, we formed the:
In order to keep all of this going and create balance in the mindsets of the beneficiaries of our programs, we execute:
Local Small Business Endeavors
Beginning in 2011, we found that it was time to meet the requests of many and serve the general Puerto Plata community, rather than focusing solely on the Haitian immigrant community. This does not mean that we have abandoned our original efforts, but believe this will enhance our original efforts. With the integration of the International Volunteer Program, we have created the:
Change My Stars English Immersion Program & Scholarship Fund
Thank you for your interest in these programs. We hope that you can take the time to read about each of them and understand their purposes in the holistic change we continually work toward creating in the community of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Your support and collaboration is highly appreciated.
