Dominican Republic

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 Dominican Republic
 Mission Projects

 

"He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God...." (Psalm 77:5-7)

 

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

The Tampa Deanery Mission Projects

In Association With

The Dominican Development Group
The Diocese of Southwest Florida
The Diocese of the Dominican Republic
(Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana)

Project Overview

Each year since 2000, the Tampa Deanery has sent mission teams to outlying locations in the Dominican Republic to build schools. The primary objective is to build schools and bring education to much needed areas. In addition to serving as schools, providing much needed education, these buildings also serve as medical clinics, adult education centers, and social centers. They often also serve as hurricane shelters in an area where no other such shelters exist.

Another objective is to work hand-in-hand with local residents fostering a better relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic. These projects build bridges between people as much as they build schools for children. The teams do not consist solely of Episcopalians, they are usually multi-faith. However, the members participate in worship, prayer, daily devotions, and sharing in the love of Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic.

The projects are self-funded and 100% volunteer-based. All volunteers donate their time and talents to the project. Many also donate their tools and clothes at the end of their week. Team members are responsible for soliciting the funds necessary to support the task. These funds pay for 100% of the cost of materials as well as food, lodging and travel for the volunteers.

Annual Needs

Material Donations

In addition to sponsoring, there is also a great need for clothes (especially underwear), shoes and school materials (in Spanish) for the young children attending the school. In the couple of months before each trip a barrel may be found in the Narthex marked DR. Please place any usable materials in this barrel and the team members will deliver the items when they travel. (Any items not taken will be distributed locally as the need arises.)

Sponsor Information

If you would like to offer your prayers and/or your financial support in this truly worthwhile and rewarding mission work or if you would like information on assisting in our project work, please download the Adobe Acrobat form below, complete it, and return it to St. Mark's. The address is on the form.

Click here to download a copy of the Sponsor Form

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Volunteers - Frequently Asked Questions

Many volunteers and those considering volunteering have many questions regarding: food, clothing and shelter; health care; leisure time; money; trip requirements; work requirements; and what to bring on the trip. The Frequently Asked Questions brochure provides answers to these most commonly asked questions.

Click here to download a DRAFT copy of the Frequently Asked Questions brochure

El Centro Buen Pastor - Barrio Los Flores, San Pedro de Macorís

In 2004, the Tampa Deanery went to San Pedro de Macorís to start a two-year project much like the San Matías project of 2002-2003. It is the completion of El Centro Buen Pastor (The Good Shepard Center) in an extremely poor section (Barrio Los Flores - Neighborhood of Flowers) of San Pedro de Macorís. .

This is a two-story building; the first floor will be a church and the second floor will be a community center. Other churches have brought the building up to near roof height of the second floor. This year the teams will finish the walls and pour the roof. The interior and exterior will be finished next year by our deanery teams.

If you are able to support this significant endeavor, please download a Sponsor Form, complete it, and send it in with your contribution. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated.

Check here later for more information and photos.

San Matias Primary School - Santana, Bani

In 2003, the Tampa Deanery returned to Santana to complete the San Matías Primary School. The roof was sealed, front stairs and walk added, windows and doors installed, interior and exterior walls painted, electricity and plumbing competed and some landscaping performed.

Plans for the 2003-2004 school year included double sessions allowing 300-350 students and 12-16 teachers. The school will also serve as an adult education facility teaching classes such as English, plumbing, sewing, computers, and typing to improve the residents employability, The building will also serve as an emergency hurricane shelter. A great improvement for a town without a single telephone.

Check here later for more information and photos.

San Matias Primary School - Santana, Bani

In 2002, the Tampa Deanery in agreement with Bishop Holguin, chose the San Matias primary school for its deanery project. As of October 2001, with funds and assistance from other sources, the foundation was completed and the walls erected to roof level. Deanery teams put the poured concrete roof and the floor using 4 teams of workers. The project was slated to be "finished" later.

As of the Spring of 2003, the school consists of 184 students and 8 teachers using 7 20'x21' classrooms, 31 student desks and 1 teacher desk. The room is without windows, doors, electricity, or plumbing.

To see photos of the first class to attend the new school, the class of 2002-03, after the work done in the summer of 2002, click the buttons below.

   

To see photos of the trip and the work done in the summer of 2002, click the buttons below.

       

           

El Nino Jesus School at the Santa Maria Virgin - Montellano, Puerto Plata

In 2001, Bishop Julio Holguin of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic, selected the year's project to be a new school and hurricane shelter at the Santa Maria Virgin Child Care Center in the town of Montellano. The school addition and renovation of the existing building created four classrooms and a kitchen with a concrete roof that will allow for a future second floor. The existing school building near the Divina Gracia Church has 1,000 students in a single building. The new Episcopal school greatly assists the overcrowded public school system and reinforces the faith of this devoted Christian community.

Check here later for more information and photos.

La Divina Gracia Church - Mosovi, Puerto Plata

In 2000, St. Mark’s Church was a proud sponsor of the mission work to construct the La Divina Gracia Church, which also serves as a medical clinic and hurricane shelter in the village of Mosovi.

Check here later for more information and photos.

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