I would like to know, what are the poorest cities in the Dominican Republic, and what resources to they lack. It could be food, clothes, school supplies, education,ect. Please Contact me at GlobalDesireOrg@gmail.com

that is a big question - but it sounds like you've never been to the DR.
so to answer your question quickly, there are poor in every city, town and village here, lacking in everything you mentioned - where do you want to start?
I doubt there are accurate statistics defining the 'poorest' cities, but it won't be difficult finding those in need.

No, i have not experienced DR. I Have not experienced the people. But I am aware of its poverty level and the amount of help that calls out from there. But what i'm looking for is Dominican people or tourist that have been through and seen harsh conditions in certain areas specifically.

What exactly would you like to do? I'm sure there are many people here that see 'harsh conditions' on a weekly basis. Maybe if you let us know what you are trying to do maybe someone can assist.

I am looking at this in a spiritual level as well as in a practical level of food and basic necessities. It's been a long time since I'd been there (28 years) but my dad had land there and then sold it. Now at the age of 45 I've been thinking alot about the town of Sosua and want to help, again not only in a practical level of food and clothing, but also in a spiritual level. Please tell me your thoughts.

Well, I'm currently starting a new organization to help countries in need from all over the world. The Dominican Republic happens to be a country that I believe should be helped. I have done research about impoverished places in DR but I also would like to reach out to the Dominican people to tell me their experiences and what goes on down there. I hope to visit and see the plight of the Dominican people. But for now, I would like to know: who should I help, why I should help them, and what do they need.

As for Kevin. Thats wonderful. It is people like you who can help my organization as we develop please continute to watch the boards for our progress or for more information.

I have a contact that might be able to help out on the information that you seek. I'm part of a religious organization that has been involved in the Caribbean for at least 20 years or longer. Due to certain issues, they haven't been in DR since 2004. I'll see what information I can dig up for you.

I finally received some information from my contact tonight. It was somewhat scant but I'll pass it on. He had exclaimed that there were 2 issues which they'd experienced which made them decide to suspend their program (along with lack of funds).

The first had to do with the economic adversity and the second had to do with a morality issue.

The first statement was that whenever they saw an American or Canadian they saw dollar signs.

The second statement incorporated a sad story where one of the 20 year old ladies which accompanied them in their missionary work developed a relationship with a young Dominican "converts". He wound up marrying her then moving back to England. After a year (and one child) he left her.

I see the need for a provision for basic necessities, spiritual under girding, education, Jobs.

I know they have or had sugar cane as part of their industry but their primary industry is tourism (at least around the coast line).

I'm a property manager at a resort area in NY. One thought I'd had was to set up a resort area down there that would provide jobs but eventually turn it over to be managed by the Dominicans themselves (the old teach a man to fish proverb). Obviously there is a order of operation that needs to be established. 1. basic necessities. 2. sprituality. 3. Education. 4. Jobs. That's a nutshell statement that needs extrapolating but if that is of any interest to "global desire" please reply.

This is a direct cut and paste from one of the charitable groups in Sosua.

"We are in dire need of old sheets. any size, shape, color & condition - women are giving birth on bloody sheets from the previous birth!"

Can't get any more basic than that.

There's also the Dream Project and Sosua Kids.

I wouldn't think you'd have to look too far. You can email me at wishiwasinsosua@live,ca if you would like any contact information.

My daughter and I are trying to get the church involved on the sheet issue but as usual the huge issue is the shipping costs.


sincerely, gail

www.drcastawaykids.com in the process of setting up the web page!

To Kevin; GlobalDesireOrg has taken great intrest into the established needs that has to be taken care of. However, this organization is just being developed. But, the needs that you listed has been decided to be a final project that this organzation plans to work on. It will take alot of work and the hands of people to meet this goal. So your support will greatly be accepted.
If you would like to keep us updated on any news you have to offer please contact us at globaldesireorg@gamil.com

I live in Winnipeg Canada and will be going to Sosua Jan/10 to visit a school supported by my church and Ambassadors for Christ. The school was started 3 years ago by DR Pastor Cristian Rivas in the Vieja Liberacion community. The community is very poor and can not afford to pay for supplies, clothing etc to send their children to school. A friend and I will be taking 80 lb of school supplies over and above our luggage allotment (by special permission of the airline which can be obtained by anyone by writing) Other people from my church have gone down with supplies and one grade 3 teacher took 200 pr shoes collected by her students in Winnipeg. They need more suppies, clothing, shoes, space... Education is the best hope for breaking the cycle of grinding poverty. If you are interested in more information contact:Brian & Linda Hamilton, dham@mts.net Brian iis the AFC National Director Canada. He's the person I've been in contact with.
I know that a small piece of land was recently purchased by donors and will be the future site of a school building. Currently 60+ children learn in a small apartment (10 ft. sq) in 2 shifts.

imo. the d.r. needs the relaxing of duties on the importation of raw materials. This is what makes jobs. They have lost manuf. jobs for more than 25 yrs. a steady decline. It also needs a hotline. tips hotline.

One of the best ones at the moment is an organization called DRSteps which is based in Sosua currently doing micro financing to help the poor people set up their own businesses in the remote villages outside Sosua they are currently looking for helpers to run the project aswell as donations and investors. They can be reached on 809-909-9228 (Linda- English) 829-878-4695 (Jordan- Spanish)

INFRASTRUCTURE!

All your good deeds are worthless without an efficient infrastructure in the country. This will never happen without first minimising the corruption that is rife in the country from the top down.

Antbody who has or is trying to run a business in the DR will know what I am talking about. Power, water, refuse collection are all pitifull & greatly add to the cost of running a business & ensure that there is little true industry on the island & minimal outside investment except so-called "development loans".

What use is giving birth on clean sheets if that child has no true prospects because his/her country is bankrupt?

Sorry to burst your bubble folks, but that's the way it is.

What does the Dominican Republic really need is a honest government that puts the people's problems first instead of there pockets. When you get a good government the infrastructure will follow.

All your good deeds are worthless without an efficient infrastructure in the country. Sorry to burst your bubble folks, but that's the way it is. Gymn BAr

Sorry, but that is defeatism that leads to no one being helped. If we wait till gov. corruption is gone - how many will suffer in the mean time.

Samaritan Foundation, one of many NGO's, will not wait and has been building houses, schools, medical clinics NOW, not LATER or AFTER! Doing it now means we educate a new generation of leaders who can and will turn the DR around.

agreed, there is massive corruption here, but there is in every country. Here is is more out in the open. government officials and police will actually ask you for money in order to act (to do their job - or not to do their job!).
but doesn't mean we have to give up - things are slooowly improving. many people are doing good things here.
look for the positive and you will find it.

every country that was colonize by spain have government corruption .
as far as the dominican republic believed or not things are better than ever now
what this country need?
the Dominican republic has poverty like all the countries of Latin America much if but it does not carry far like Haiti; independent of the government problem what the Dominican republic needs is aid to youth since this will be the future of the country nobody can change the present or the past but an impact in the future can be made

i can tell you what it doesnt need, and that is , more religious do gooders coming here and filling the peoples heads with a load of rubbish and then asking them to sign that they will donate 10percent of their wages to the church this happens all the time

An honest government!

A decent internet connection. And maybe the technicians at Delancer to know more than what is on a two page troubleshooting guide. The old, if the light is green it isn't our fault stuff is pretty ridiculous. They don't have any understanding of throughput, dropped packets or anything that goes a long with the idea of providing a usable Internet connection. But hey, neither do any of the cable techs at most of the companies anywhere else in the world. This whole industry (global) could use a serious upgrade. But as for here in DR, I understand a lot of the problem is infrastructure based. Some simple/cheap fixes would go a long way in improving things while waiting for the funds to make the real major repairs/updates. Like just go around and fix (move) the cable wires that are running a long the sidewalk on the ground exposed to anything. I do work in the computer business and even some of my customers are cable companies in the States so I do know how this stuff works and I'm just not blowing hot air (maybe letting off steam). I won't say I know all of the challenges here but whatever the challenges are in DR it still doesn't mean the staff couldn't be trained a little better and really understand what a reliable, stable internet connection means. Green light means link or in synch, but it doesn't mean everything is good. Seriously, if anyone started a competing internet service company that actually understood this and had reasonably trained technicians I think it would go a long way.

I here you - but don't expect these problems to be resolved anytime soon!

staff training - you have to be kidding me!!