Dominican Republic

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of the Dominican Republic to improve their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities. World Vision’s child sponsorship program plays a vital role in this partnership, with donors from the United States sponsoring more than 26,000 girls and boys. In addition to sponsorship, World Vision operates other programs that benefit communities in the Dominican Republic. Highlights include:

• Improving agriculture techniques and irrigation systems for farmers.
• Helping children and families struggling with poverty gain access to healthcare.
• Building water systems that increase access to safe water for communities.
• Responding to the Cholera outbreak in the Bateyes, in coordination with the ministry of health.

World Vision started projects in the Dominican Republic in 1989 to assist with extreme poverty, but began supporting the country years earlier with well drilling. Since then, some of World Vision’s major accomplishments have included:

• Providing disaster relief supplies, such as food and medicine, to people affected by hurricanes since the late 1970s and into the 21st century.
• Offering agriculture and irrigation training to farmers since the beginning of the 21st century.
• Responding to the needs of those affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake
• Educating adolescents and youth about the prevention of AIDS and HIV, using communications mediums like radio programs to reach impacted communities.

Geography and people

The Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti and stretches over the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. Santo Domingo, the capital and the seventh largest city in North America, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Western Hemisphere.

This fertile country has a semitropical climate. However, the Dominican Republic is in the middle of the hurricane belt and residents experience severe storms and flooding from June to October. Natural resources include nickel, bauxite, gold, and silver.

Most Dominicans are a mix of European and African descent. Spanish is the official language, with some people using a Creole dialect.

Dominicans are cheerful, hardworking, and community oriented, often forming strong bonds with their families and neighbors. Dominican families are generally large and may include cousins or foster children. Girls in impoverished communities often marry as teenagers.

History

After decades under French control, the Dominican Republic fell under Haiti’s rule in 1801. This period strained the relationship between the two countries. In 1844, the Dominican Republic declared independence but did not form a constitutional government until the mid-1920s.

The presidency lasted for a few years until Rafael Leonidas Trujillo established a 30-year dictatorship. When civil war started after the end of Trujillo’s rule, the United States occupied the Dominican Republic until the country regained stability.

An amendment to the constitution in 2004 allowed presidents to remain in office for more than one term. Democratic elections still continue today.

Please pray for:

People living in poverty to have access to important services like healthcare and education.

The protection and care of vulnerable children.