Best Non-Profit or Agency working in the DR?

[minerva_feliz]

What are your top picks for the best national or international NGOs, government agencies or religious missions working in community development in the DR?

The criteria could be: reputation, impact, sustainability, works with local population, scale of efforts, time operating in country, focus of work, or whatever you think makes it the best.

Also, which of those could foreigners/expats living here who want to do something support and how?

[Hillbilly]

Caritas would be on anyone's list.

Sur Futuro

Plan Sierra

Proyecto Ebano Verde


HB

[las2137]

The organization I work for supports projects with several local NGOs. The ones listed below are ones I have found to be great in terms of administration and finances, as well as attending to their beneficiaries' needs.

-Caritas (although depends greatly on the diocesan branch)

-CENSEL (Centro de Servicio Legales para la Mujer, based in Santo Domingo, working with survivors of dmoestic violence and all gender-based violence)

-Accion Callejera (Santiago-based, works with street children and out-of-school children to get them back in school)

-Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados y Migrantes (technically international NGO; based in SDQ; working with all migrants and refugees, mostly- but not limited to- Haitian)
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Have not worked with but have heard good things about:
-DREAM

-Mustard Seeds Communities (I have worked with them in Jamaica, so I can't comment on their operation here. However, I know them to be extremely dedicated and take in the kids that NO ONE wants, especially handicapped who have been abandoned or families who can't take care of them.)
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As far as helping, it varies from organization to organization. These days, most organizations need cold hard cash more than anything- donating money, in my opinion, is the best way for people to help these local organizations. Help organize a fundraiser among your expat community.

However, I realize that is not always satisfying to the person donating, so I would suggest that ex-pats living here- not tourists- can best contribute to strengthening the sustainability of these organizations, especially if they have a professional background that might be of use to the organization. For example, if you are an accountant by trade, help the organization set up an effective accounting system. If you have computer or marketing experience, help design a web page.

[El_Uruguayo]

Sonrisas, or the Fundacion para la salud bucal de los ninos - in English its called teh smiles foundation. They have practically free dental clinics for children, and also run computer schools. They have clinics in Higuey, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Villa Mella, Herrera, Los Rios, and Pantoja. They give thousands of children much needed dental work, and also teach nutrition. You can help by donating cash, or by donating materials, dental supplies, or computer equipment. They run their clinics with equipment primarily donated from Canadians. They do good stuff.

[Hillbilly]

I should have thought of Mustard Seed and Integración Juvenil in POP Excellent work.

Beyond the Beach is another one.

These that have been mentioned are really solid...like Childrn's International,too.

HB

[Chirimoya]

I only know the ones I've seen in action, like Plan International, and they do very good work towards reducing dependency and helping people get the skills and knowledge that they need to pull themselves out of poverty and claim what's due to them.

I also have a lot of respect for Mujer y Salud, especially on the advocacy side of things.

There are others, like Intermón - especially their work on disaster preparedness/risk reduction, a couple of Italian agencies and their local partners in community-oriented eco-tourism initiatives in Salcedo and Samaná, and too many to mention - in the category of local organisations working in campos and barrios that I've come across over the 12+ years I've been involved in development work in this country. Of the religious ones, the Jesuits and CRS are worth mentioning.

Best way to help - depends what your interests/priorities are, but I recommend any of the ones named above.

I won't name the ones I think are little more than self-serving mechanisms to keep their executives and their friends and family in employment, but unfortunately there are a few national organisations and national branches of international organisations that fall into that category.
There are also several that may appear to "help" but really just prop up the status quo by maintaining people's helplessness and dependency - what is known in Spanish as asistencialismo.

[Lambada]

I know about Integracion Juvenil & would second what was said above; financial resources are always needed and used to good effect. They certainly have at least one expat on their committee. Mustard Seed likewise could use donations but might well accept professional help from those expats with knowledge of working with people who have profound handicaps. Local staff are extremely dedicated but haven't necessarily had the benefit of specialised training - any expat volunteering services would, of course, need to be considerate about not appearing to 'know better'. La Profe is the DR1 member with extensive knowledge of the Hogar Immanuel near Puerto Plata.

[DavidZ]

Dream Project: They focus on education, primarily on the North Coast. They have been around for years. Of course cash donations are always welcome, and I believe they have other opportunities to help.

DREAM Project: Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring Project

[cobraboy]

The White Cross is a fine, helpful no-nonsense organization.

[MikeFisher]

great thread.
the by HB mentioned Beyond The Beach Childrens Foundation is a good one, i assist them myself with my wife picking up donations brought in by their supporters and delivering them to schools/street kids/Orphanage home in Higuey aso.
they also assist local projects like the Dream Project, Mustard Seed, SosusKids and others.
their directors are mostly Canadians and americans and British people.
their website and contact addresses are found on
Beyond The Beach

keep the recommendations coming
Mike