farm workers

The US has a policy of raiding places where it is known that generally there are many "illegals" working. These are certain restaurants, farms, and factories. The law is that no employer should hire any person who does not have at least a work visa. The employer can be penalized for hiring people who have entered the country illegally, and the "illegals" are deported. I have accompanied many of the people caught in the net; many of whom were arrested and detained without cause and had to be released. Is the US suggesting that the DR do anything different? What is an ONG?

Acoiris

I believe you mean NGO, non Governmental organization

Tom

thanks. I guess in Spanish it is Organizacion Non-Gobernatorial. What are the NGO's that I read are along the border?

I dont know which they are, but they usually accept no money from the Govt so do noy have to fufil the wishes or mandates of the Govt

Arco,

An NGO is a non-governmental organization. This definition is really vague and absurd. NGO's are NOT always not tied to the gov't for example, and are just as bureaucratic in some instances. NGOs have an agenda and most times they are for PROFIT. Basically you see NGO's setting up shops anytime there is money to be given. If funds are given for education projects, then they are there; if it's for environment, then the same NGO all of a sudden works in the environment field too. You see what I am getting at? They go where the money is plain and simple. Donor organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, IADB, DANIDA, and even the UNDP are heavily relying on NGO's to carry out development projects in developing countries. The believe being that NGO's and grassroots orgs. can do it better. I personally have my doubts about this believe.

I have seen grassroots orgs. and NGO's do great work in Bangladesh, Honduras, the DR and South Africa. But in a nutshell, NGO's are not always what they are craked up to be.

Regards,

Natasha

Actually, it is organizacion no-gubernamental. Apparently, there are many "new" NGO offices working on behalf of Haiti along the border (in the DR). One of these is helping Haitian women give birth in the DR (they say they do this because clinics in the DR are better equipped). Basically they are doing this for humanitarian reasons, they say.

Regards,

Natasha

HI there, y'all--

A few words about NGOs [or ONGs en espanol]...these are NOT connected to the government of the particular country and normally do NOT operate for profit.

Natasha, I am not about to open up a firestorm [about the organizations working on behalf of the Haitians]but I will take an exception to what you said about the groups operating on the border forthe purpose of having the women give birth in the DR. There has been an awful lot written in the last week about what's going on in the DR about the Haitian situation and none of it looks good or bodes well for the Dominican Government. I have worked with one of the NGOs helping the Haitians and our only reason for being in the DR was to extend medical help and compassion...AND WE HELPED DOMINICANS AS WELL...GOD'S LOVE DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE.

Besides, if a person has the proper documentation, they should be allowed the courtesies...and the DR constitution should honor properly documented people from any country. Seems to me we had a "problem" here in the US in the last century [we had a civil war] and our people healed and went on. NUFF SAID.

DD

Hi Dee,

I should have been more specific on my post. I should have said that various news sources have written about a particular NGO that is helping Haitian women give birth in the DR. This organization is the Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas, headed by Sonia Pierre. I don't know much about it beacuse I am here, not there, so I cannot comment anout this organization.

Regards,

Natasha

I still agree with Natasha's main point. The NGO's often don't really understand the total situation, and , though they have good intentions, may be doing what's called "helping them to death", which is helping in ways that in the short term seem good, but in the long range are making things worse. In some ways that is just as bad as outright capitalistic exploitation, because it impedes a solution that truly helps while imposing a "solution" that is actually an extension of a foreign interest. Did you ever invite someone into your kitchen, and they want to help you cook, serve and clean-up for a meal, and they rearrange your whole kitchen and tell you you are doing everything wrong, and then they leave and you don't know where anything is anymore and you feel really busted, and you don't know if you should invite them back or not, and if you do then are they going to respect you or bust you again in the name of help. You love them but the relationship has to be one of mutual understanding and respect for each other's ways, and not total dominance of the guest.

To Natasha and all--hello...

In re MUDHA-- they are a group of women who are trying to raise awareness about and help people who are born in the DR of Haitian parentage. Sonia is one fine lady[met her in NYC recently] and her work is very necessary.

The situation in the DR at present re the Haitians is not pretty and is very,very sad. Yes, the DR has its right to its national sovereignty and no one will deny that. However observable truth is just that and it's hard to ignore when it is there "in your face."

In regard to arcoiris' thoughts, I agree with her...when an NGO goes in it has to work itself out of a job and it has to abide by the "house rules"...like when you visit someone's place or stay for a protracted period, you go by the "house rules" and that should be all that needs to be said.

Arcoiris is correct; too many organizations go to the DR with the best of intentions and then take over, forgetting that the people have been there alot longer and know the culture intimately...the "johnny and janie come-latelys" need to shut mouth and open eyes a little more. But there is another side too: when an organozation DOES come in and DOES listen to the people and then THEY are told "bring your dollars then get out" that has its drawbacks too. I've seen it happen and it's sad...BOTH SIDES NEED TO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. Nuff said.

D