Donors to World Vision’s Every Last One campaign find they not only change lives worldwide but that God also changed them as they stepped out in faith. Here, a woman shares how she decided to get involved and how her life changed as a result.
Dominican Republic
Why World Vision is in Dominican Republic
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sponsors may experience delays in communication from their sponsored child. We are actively working to keep you updated as the situation changes.
The Dominican Republic’s challenges in 2020 stemmed from the pandemic, like much of the world, and centered on the country’s overwhelmed healthcare system and economic losses. While the government didn’t provide any mental health services for citizens, it did increase social assistance programs to help people weather the year’s difficulties. Families and businesses that relied on tourism were hit hard. When schools went to remote learning, more than a third of students in rural areas couldn’t access classes, lacking internet and the technology to join. Though rates of domestic violence increased in 2020, the government passed a bill prohibiting child marriage of any kind, a win for child protection efforts.
Thanks to strong partnerships, kids and families were supported with education and parenting assistance. Students received home learning and play materials, and we made sure children had access to psychological services. Communities and parents received information about preventing and responding to violence at home and in schools. Health centers and medical workers were provided with needed personal protective equipment.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Dominican Republic ❯
Progress in Dominican Republic
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- To help change attitudes and behaviors on issues like female genital mutilation, child marriage, and other harmful local practices, community members participated in child protection sessions.
- To help children understand their worth, make healthy choices, and have positive relationships, they participated in personal development activities focused on values and caring for others.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Health workers were given personal protective equipment like masks and gloves to help protect them and the people they serve from COVID-19.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Children in grades 1 to 3 took part in a literacy program to improve their reading and writing skills. Parents and caregivers also took part in literacy training, where they learned fun ways to help children to read at home.
- To help families to stay safe and recover more quickly if disasters happen, community members were trained in disaster preparedness so they have better knowledge on how to prevent and cope with future disasters.
Prayer Requests from Dominican Republic
World Vision's staff in Dominican Republic are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
For people’s health and the economy to be quickly restored.
For children to see a hopeful future where they can grow up with love instead of violence.
News from Dominican Republic
From the Field
How’d they do that: DIY Christmas crafts from around the world
There’s something special about handmade crafts at Christmastime. So we asked some of the children and families we help around the world to share their favorite Christmas crafts with you! Learn how to make DIY Christmas crafts from Armenia, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Lesotho, and the Philippines.
From the Field
2017 Hurricane Irma: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Hurricane Irma caused about $50 billion in damage and is the fifth-costliest storm to hit the continental U.S. since 1900. Here are some facts, FAQs, and how to help.
Enjoyed learning about Dominican Republic?
Now discover another country: