The
Dominica Center for Integrated Growth and Development is
located in La Ureña, one of the poorest communities in the
Dominican Republic. It began as a single building which was
home to an orphanage and school founded by Dominica Rosario
and her late brother Alexis. In 2000 thirty plus children
lived at the orphanage and their ages ranged between less
than1 yr to 12 years old. Another 100 plus neighborhood
children attended the school.
2003
brought about 2 major changes for the orphanage/school. A
new school was built and to which Dominica moved the
students at the beginning of the year. Also, in February,
government officials closed orphanages outside of Santo
Domingo therefore distributing the children to the homes of
family members, friends, teachers. Anyone who had sleeping
space. The government did not then and does not now fund
any portion of the Dominica Center. Not giving up her hope
for the orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children of La
Ureña, Dominica was enabled to continue her passion through
the donation of a major benefactor for the old orphanage
which allowed her to build the Life Skills Center across the
street from the school.
The
Dominica Center for Integrated Growth and Development was
opened to meet the daily needs of the at-risk children in
the Social Plan Program. The Social Plan includes 3 meals a
day, address medical needs, provide school uniforms and
supplies along with pre and after school care. The
children return to their homes at the end of the
day. Child sponsorships afford the children means to
participate in the Social Plan and attend school.
Below
are descriptions of the programs in the community of La
Ureña. Please keep visiting our website as it is updated
with the most recent information.
Children of La Ureña
The families or guardians of the children in the Social
Plan have little to no money and are unable to provide the
most basic of their needs. Through child sponsorships the
children are afforded meals, school supplies and uniform.
They are also given the healthy safe haven of the Dominica
Center and interaction with other children in the community.
We also address the needs of the children in the Social
Plan by taking new or clean, slightly used clothing
and tennis shoes, hygiene items such as toothpaste and
toothbrushes, shampoo and soap. A consistent request is new
underwear and socks for boys and girls of all sizes.
Community Outreach
Blue House Effect began community outreach in 2004
addressing women's health concerns. Our 2005 trip included
the community women teaching BHE participants the craft of
candle making. In January 2006, we began an annual weeklong
workshop addressing women's health concerns and life skills
including teaching new arts and crafts ideas.
Many of the women have not been given the opportunity to
acquire the life-skills and job skills needed to have an
effective voice in the community.
2006 presented a new opportunity for Blue House Effect as we
began the annual HIV/AIDS workshop.
We are excited about these two new programs for Blue House
Effect and look forward to their growth through the years to
come.
Building Projects
Our
name is defined by trips. Everything we build and/or paint
is "Dominican blue"!
Our
January 2000 trip included many repairs on the old
orphanage/school building and from there we always planned
some type of repair along with interaction with the
children. In 2004 the opportunity turned into a home
construction for a family in the community. A new home is
often the starting point for the family to become
self-sufficient. The existing homes are little more than 4
tin walls with a tin roof and no indoor plumbing. We ask
that family and/or community members assist with the build.
A
second home built in January 2005 presented the
opportunity to build beds and furnish the mattresses and
bedding for the family. The home built in 2006 was of
cement block and a first for many of us!
Building projects are now a mainstay in our trips and have
grown into other areas of opportunities. Half of the time
is spent on the home build and the other half is spent at
the Dominca Center with the children.
