BBright Dominican Republic
Children of the DR face an endless cycle of poverty and lack of opportunity, full of political unrest and unfair educational systems. Through strategic partnerships and intentional resource provision, Bbright is giving them not only an education, but a hope for a better tomorrow.
Our Work in the Dominican Republic
Why We Serve Here
Our mission in the Dominican Republic is two-fold and driven by both practical need and spiritual thirst:
Education and Empowerment
The government and educational systems in both Haiti and the DR are volatile and often lopsided toward those already in power and privilege. By providing a quality education and empowerment to become what God has called them to be, we hope to help these children facilitate unity for the future and lift their families out of poverty.
Spiritual Transformation
Seeing the lives of children transformed by the gospel of Christ is our goal, and we work to ensure that each one knows that they are God’s precious and beloved child. In a place where darkness and injustice often prevail, the hope of Christ creates a bright light in the lives of these children and their families.
A History of Need
Gang violence and poverty in Haiti have driven many families to the Dominican Republic in search of a better life, only to be met with racial prejudice. Haitian migrants have difficulty obtaining legal documents to stay in the DR due to backlogs in both governments. Therefore, often the only work they can find is as day laborers in agriculture, construction, or cleaning, which leaves them in a cycle of poverty. Haitian children in the Dominican Republic face overcrowded classrooms and the challenge of learning in a second language, all while living in extreme poverty and worrying that a family member may be deported back to Haiti.
Fast Facts That Drive Our Work
Region
The community of Piedra Blanca, near Jarabacoa in the province of La Vega, Dominican Republic
Major Risks
Forced labor, pregnancy, violence, and generational poverty.
- Percentage of children who graduate from high school: 10%
- Percentage of children who leave school before 8th grade to either go to work (boys) or live with an older man/become pregnant (girls): 40%
- Percentage of girls ages 12-19 who have already been pregnant: 22% +
The Children We Help
Our help is open to all community children in need, though a strong partnership with a local Haitian church has resulted in a larger number of children of Haitian descent. Many of these children either came from Haiti themselves or were born to Haitian migrants while in the Dominican Republic. We are working with these children and their families in the hope of bringing reconciliation and unity to Dominican and Haitian children.
Our Partner in The Dominican Republic
The King’s Kids, RD (Republica Dominicana)
The King’s Kids started as a Bible study for 15 children in a Haitian church eight years ago. Since then, God has grown the program to include:
- after-school tutoring to approximately 50 children
- preschool classes for approximately 20 three- and four-year-olds
- a weekly youth Bible club with 12-15 children aged 7-12 years old
- annual outreach events that share the love of Christ with the community
Shine Your Light in the Dominican Republic.
Help Bbright give these children a chance. You can change their world. And then they can change ours for the better.