Get to know La Mina

The community of La Mina is located 27.5 miles northeast of Santo Domingo. Most people living in this community are day laborers and have small plots of land for crops such as cocoa, corn and cassava root that they sell to meet other needs. Many of the women work as maids in Santo Domingo. Many families also raise sheep, cows, chicks and others. There is no tap water system or access to potable water. People must walk to a nearby well but there is not enough water for everyone. There is a lack of adequate sanitation facilities so water is often contaminated.

Education in general in the Dominican Republic is deficient. There is a school in this community for children up to 8th grade. Often times weather prevents children from attending school. There is no clinic or healthcare center in La Mina. People must walk at least a mile to receive even basic care. People often use home remedies and diagnose themselves.

The people of La Mina have never experienced what could be possible if they worked together for a better future. Yet, they are not far from becoming “agents of change” in their community.

We will work in conjunction with FH's work with the community to carry out the following projects, which have been identified as critical for the community's development :

· Water and Sanitation Projects

· Quality education

· Improve their agriculture activities

· Vocational trainings

· Livelihood development

FH believes that healthy community development begins with an exit strategy. Goals must be set for when community members will be able to continue their own development without outside help. FH anticipates that this community will no longer need to rely on our partnership by 2022!