The COTN-DR Pedernales Project aims to address the critical needs of Haitian-Dominican children in the impoverished community of Los Robles, Pedernales.
Through a comprehensive three-year plan, the project will provide quality education, healthcare, spiritual care, and social support to 100 children, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders in their community.
Goals and Desired Outcomes
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Education: Establish a Learning Reinforcement Center and Homework Room to reduce illiteracy rates and prepare children for school.
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Healthcare: Provide medical well-child checks, preventive care, and access to a community nurse and doctor.
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Spiritual Care: Introduce children to the gospel through discipleship programs and Bible studies.
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Community Development: Build a COTN campus to serve as a hub for education, healthcare, and spiritual growth.
Impact
Direct Beneficiaries:
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100 Children in Los Robles: Access to education, healthcare, and spiritual care will transform their lives and futures.
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Families: Improved well-being and reduced financial burdens as children gain skills and opportunities.
Indirect Beneficiaries:
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Community of Los Robles: A stronger, healthier, and more educated community with reduced poverty and improved quality of life.
Why This Project is Needed
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High Unemployment: 85% of able-bodied adults in Pedernales are unemployed, leaving families in dire poverty.
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Low Literacy Rates: 36.5% of the population lacks basic reading and writing skills, and 21% of children drop out of primary school.
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Health Challenges: 12% of children are born underweight, and many suffer from malnutrition and lack of medical care.
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Spiritual Need: Many children have not heard the gospel and live in a community that practices voodoo.
Indicators of Success:
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100 children enrolled in the Village Partnership Program (VPP).
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Reduced illiteracy rates and school dropout rates.
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Improved health outcomes through medical care and preventive education.
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Increased spiritual engagement through discipleship programs.
Approach
Year 1:
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Enroll 50 children in the VPP.
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Establish a Learning Reinforcement Center and Homework Room.
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Launch after-school feeding programs, welfare checks, and spiritual care initiatives.
Year 2:
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Enroll an additional 50 children.
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Purchase land for a COTN campus.
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Hire a community nurse and doctor to provide ongoing medical care.
Year 3:
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Begin construction of the COTN campus.
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Continue and expand educational, medical, and spiritual programs.
Alignment with Strategic Goals
The project aligns with COTN’s mission to provide holistic, Christ-centered care for orphaned and destitute children, enabling them to create positive and lasting change in their nations. It also supports the Dominican Republic’s broader goals of improving education, healthcare, and community development.
Sustainability
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Long-Term Impact: By addressing root causes of poverty, the project will create lasting change in the community.
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Community Involvement: Local pastors and community leaders will be actively involved in program implementation.
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Scalability: The project can serve as a model for future initiatives in other underserved communities.
Financial Overview
Total Investment Needed:
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Year 1: $117,284
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Year 2: $145,500 (or $277,719 with land purchase)
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Year 3: $150,199
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3-Year Total: $412,983 (or $545,202 with land purchase)
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