Project Esperanza
Project Esperanza primarily (but by no means exclusively) serves the Haitian refugee and immigrant population of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in the areas of education, social aid, and community development.
Services
What do we do?
EDUCATION – Among other efforts, we run two schools specifically designed for Haitian immigrant children in the Dominican Republic.
SOCIAL AID – We provide housing, food, and family structure for a group of vulnerable youth and young adults. We provide aid when needed to families in the communities where we work.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – In collaboration with two universities, we provide small business grants and loans as well as lead artistic trainings and a pathway to sales.
Get to know us
Some quick stats
29
local employees
250
students
15
years in Puerto Plata
100 %
committed
Where We Work
In Puerto Plata, we mainly serve two communities where there are large amounts of Haitian immigrants living, and where we have our schools. The communities are called Muñoz & Padre Granero.
- Read more about the community of Muñoz here.
- Read more about Padre Granero here.
“Trustworthiness”
If you are considering donating or helping this cause in any way you can be guaranteed that your dollar will go as far as possible and that you’ve put your trust in the right place.
Reenie605
“Collaboration and solidarity”
Everyone involved made me feel safe and welcomed into the community. I felt like I was working with the locals, not for the locals.
VTVolunteer
“Cultural Insight”
The organization’s administrators, school staff, and the community members are incredible people, who have significant local knowledge to share.
Karie
Show you care by staying informed
Recent News
- Change My Stars English CampIn 2011, we started a summer English camp. 2020 was the first year since then that it did not take place because we did not have volunteers, due to covid-19. This year, we almost had to cancel it as wellContinue reading “Change My Stars English Camp”
- Educational Videos & MaterialsWe are very excited about a new project we’re working on. Two Virginia Tech professors have joined us on a project of creating educational videos for our parents and students. Students in Dr. Kim Carlson’s Leadership class and students inContinue reading “Educational Videos & Materials”
- Happy International Mother Language Day!Sunday, February 21 was International Mother Language Day. If you are a native English speaker, this day may not mean much to you. For Dominicans living in the Dominican Republic, this also may not mean much to them. However, forContinue reading “Happy International Mother Language Day!”
