Trash solution for Cabarete and Sosua - Page 11

Rocky · #**101** 12-09-2006, 05:39 AM

I appeal to your good sense, and (hopefully) your confidence in my understanding of Dominican culture.

The approach you use for this project is critical.
Dominicans are extremely proud, to the point, that it could be called conceit.
They do not appreciate outsiders/expats/gringos making major changes in "their" country, be it for good or bad.
They do appreciate our financial aid.

The suggestions I made, with regards to putting the logistics of the operation, into some trustworthy Dominican hands, would ensure you maximum success.
If you were to be in charge of funding the operation, and perceived as the head of counsel, to guide the operation towards it's goals, whilst the Dominicans took care of "operations", I am confident that the program will be a winner and meet with long term success.

I know for a fact, that there are long term expats, just waiting to see your course of action, before making contributions.
It's a win-win situation.
Your job would be easier, the Dominicans would be happy, you would get both results, a clean up and a campaign against littering and you would also get more bang for your buck.

Snuffy · #**102** 12-09-2006, 08:18 AM

Rocky...

If I were Jackieboo I would have some reservations about the "trustworthy dominican" concept? I'm not saying that all dominicans are corrupt but my experience with them...perhaps I chose the wrong ones...is that you have to be extremely careful when it comes to money. So can you explain it further. Are you saying to hand over the money to a dominican or hand over a little at a time as it is needed?

I think it could be smart to have a young dominican run it but I would keep close tabs on seeing that money is being used correctly. So, create a good plan but be careful with who and how much money you hand to them. The kid might have all the good intentions...an influential tio may decide he needs a little extra spending money.

Jackieboo...you appear to be very smart. I'm happy with the progress you have made so far. I believe you will make the right decisions. Good Luck.

cobraboy · #**103** 12-09-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

The approach you use for this project is critical.
Dominicans are extremely proud, to the point, that it could be called conceit.
They do not appreciate outsiders/expats/gringos making major changes in "their" country, be it for good or bad.

This is exactly what I meant in my post #62 when I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobraboy

I have a different take. Seems to me you'd just be showing how imcompetant they have been.

Do you think they want a bunch of gringos showing him how bad a job he's done?

Just like we Floridians will push back when Northerners come to FL and tell us how incompetant we are, how they do it "up north", etc., so do Dominicans when a Yanqui comes in and tells them how to do things in the DR.

This is a great project, but could actually get sabotaged by political Dominicans if the project leaders do not understand and plan for the culture of the country.

What jackieboo interpreted as negativity on my part was actually good advice.

If the project is viewed by Dominicans as "gringos coming to the rescue, wallets in hand in a poor country, whether wanted or not", the project may very well end up paddling uphill.

Nobody, especially Dominicans, like to have their noses rubbed in their failures. One of the best peices of advice the old-timer ex-pats have consistently given is to ALWAYS allow the Dominican to save face in a confrontation.

Take Rocky's suggestions to heart. He knows of what he speaks

luz · #**104** 12-09-2006, 08:49 AM

Jackieboo, I think the best thing to do is to go buy the materials with the leaders. That way you see how the money gets spent. Each leader is responsible for the clean up of their area and the return of the items. Leaders will have their pics online. It's good for them to be leaders. This organization could actually become a Leader Organization. At the end of their term, they would receive a Certificate of Leadership, based on their performance. And "graduates" names would appear online. This could open many doors for them in the future. Often times, companies are bombarded with resumes but few job applicants are really involved in community service.

I think it's excellent to let the dominican people lead the operation while keeping a close eye on the money spent.

As for the name I like "Costa Verde" better than "Sosua Verde", the name I offered because It can have a greater impact on the North Coast environment. "Costa Verde" has more potential

The progress is great. See how a simple idea, an intention and a brainstorming can improve the overall well being of the neighbourhood ? Very good !!! There are many people reading this thread, more are welcome to participate. Any idea is good. Even if you don't live here you can contribute. Let's move forward. Great !!!

Snuffy · #**105** 12-09-2006, 10:07 AM

If you tell the local government what you want to do and then do it your way I don't think they are going to sabatoge such a simple project whereby they are not losing any money. If in some way they will lose money, then it might be stopped quickly.

This project would probably be saving the local government money. Rocky, am I right? They can then do something else with that money. On the other hand if it causes several people to lose their sanitation job or causes a contracter to lose business then you could catch some heat. I would approach the local officials and have a discussion with them. The more I think about it the more I realize how important it is to have discussions with local officials.

I would do that right away.

Keith R · #**106** 12-09-2006, 10:14 AM

I am going to urge again that you folks exchange info/ideas with the Cabrera Verde folks. They've been down this road before; you can learn from their experience/insights. They managed to figure out a way to enlist the active help of the sindico without letting him take over the project or interfere negatively. Part of the secret is to find ways for him to take credit without harming his (usually limited) budget, and getting the support of key local members of his community (local small businesses).

Okay, now this foreigner living outside the country will shut up and go back to his corner...

Rocky · #**107** 12-09-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Rocky...

If I were Jackieboo I would have some reservations about the "trustworthy dominican" concept? I'm not saying that all dominicans are corrupt but my experience with them...perhaps I chose the wrong ones...is that you have to be extremely careful when it comes to money. So can you explain it further. Are you saying to hand over the money to a dominican or hand over a little at a time as it is needed?.

I have 3 young ladies in mind, unrelated to each other, although may know each other, all honest, intelligent, good presence, respectable, no need for money, from good families, respectively, 14, 16 & 18 years old, all still in school.

Rocky · #**108** 12-09-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffy

If you tell the local government what you want to do and then do it your way I don't think they are going to sabatoge such a simple project whereby they are not losing any money. If in some way they will lose money, then it might be stopped quickly.

This project would probably be saving the local government money. Rocky, am I right? They can then do something else with that money. On the other hand if it causes several people to lose their sanitation job or causes a contracter to lose business then you could catch some heat. I would approach the local officials and have a discussion with them. The more I think about it the more I realize how important it is to have discussions with local officials.

I would do that right away.

I would sidestep the whole process, and let the young Dominicans handle it.
No bribes. Nobody offended. No shame. No embarrassment. No language problems. No sabotage.

Don Juan · #**109** 12-09-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith R

I am going to urge again that you folks exchange info/ideas with the Cabrera Verde folks. They've been down this road before; you can learn from their experience/insights. They managed to figure out a way to enlist the active help of the sindico without letting him take over the project or interfere negatively. Part of the secret is to find ways for him to take credit without harming his (usually limited) budget, and getting the support of key local members of his community (local small businesses).

Okay, now this foreigner living outside the country will shut up and go back to his corner...

How does one get in touch with the Cabrera verde folks? Is there a web site or something?

Keith, I consider you to be as much a Dominican as I am! We're lucky to have you in our corner! Thanks for all your efforts to make OUR country that much better!

Chirimoya · #**110** 12-09-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Juan

How does one get in touch with the Cabrera verde folks? Is there a web site or something?

See post 35.