ChurCh Partner rePort aPril 2014

Progress to end Poverty

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FisCal 2013 annual rePort: PalMera, doMiniCan rePuBliC

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to helping children through your gift of child sponsorship. When your congregation began sponsoring children, you joined their communities on a journey to lasting transformation, improving their access to essentials such as water, education, and healthcare.

Children often are the most vulnerable members of struggling communities and the first to succumb to disease and exploitation, which is why World Vision was founded on the belief that the child sponsorship program would change and save lives. More than 60 years later, the prayers and faithful support of sponsors like you continue to bring about many positive changes in children’s lives—changes that can help them overcome poverty.

We are excited to share some of the accomplishments and progress from fiscal year 2013 (October 2012 through September 2013), made possible through your congregation’s generosity.

aFter disaster, a FaMily CoMes BaCK strongerWagner Alexander, 18, grew up in an area of Palmera that is plagued by frequent flooding and natural disasters. Wagner, his four older siblings, and his mother, Robertina, used to live on the banks of a gully in a flimsy structure made of scavenged materials that offered little protection from the weather.

Robertina recalls, “We were struggling to live. Each time it rained, I had to go up and carry the furniture so they did not get damaged, and by the time I went back to look for the remaining items, the house was already flooded with water. But thank God, thanks to World Vision, we are living in our own and secured place now.”

Country capital Community

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Santo Domingo

DominicanRepublic

ChurCh Partner rePort aPril 2014

Progress to end Poverty

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World Vision is helping communities in Palmera prepare for disasters such as floods, in an effort to reduce their impact on children’s health and well‑being.

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World Vision came to Wagner’s community when he was around 6 years old and has been working with families to help them prepare for disasters and become more resilient. “The work of World Vision has been very important because people know where to go to when there’s a flood and also what they have to do,” Wagner said. “Neighbors get together and help one another, and World Vision always shows up, which is something good.”

When Hurricane George struck the area, Wagner’s family lost everything. They sought shelter at a school. Robertina reached out to World Vision for help. She used her savings to buy a plot of land far away from the gully, and World Vision contributed construction materials for a new home.

“I have received so many things from World Vision,” Robertina said. “I have taken many courses, such as the beauty salon course, hair extension course, also the one about health promotion ... There are a lot of resources. Now I am taking a nursing course, but all the courses I have taken have helped me greatly.”

Robertina has also given back, serving as a community leader and health promoter for nine years. Among her many responsibilities, she helps World Vision identify vulnerable families in the community that would most benefit from development programs. “I have supported World Vision so that they can come out and teach the costume jewelry courses here in the community, as well as the hairdressing course,” she said.

Wagner also attended World Vision’s hairdressing course. “I love haircutting since I was a child, and I even used to give it a try with the boys in the neighborhood,” he said. “We had a haircutting machine that was broken, and my mom fixed it for me and so I continue to try with the boys. Then the haircutting course from World Vision came, and I learned many things I didn’t know. Thanks to World Vision I was able to open my own barbershop, and I can help myself with the things I need and the things of the house.”

Robertina and Wagner are grateful to God for everything they have learned and for all World Vision has done to empower families in their community.

highlights FroM FisCal 2013In fiscal year 2013, your sponsorship giving was crucial to accomplishing the following goals and activities in Palmera:

Children enjoy good healthThe health of people living in poverty often falls to the wayside because they lack the knowledge to appropriately care for themselves and their children, or they lack access to affordable, quality healthcare. Something as simple as diarrhea—a result of drinking unclean water—could kill a child.

In response, World Vision is addressing a number of vital issues, including maternal and child health, the HIV and AIDS crisis, the need for clean water and proper sanitation and hygiene, and good nutrition. We provide

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“I always lived by drawing things,” says Nahia. “It inspires me to paint pictures ... it is like a story but with paint.” Nahia is one of 35 students at an art school supported by World Vision.

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healthcare and nutrition education, basic medicine and products used to prevent and treat illnesses, and training and financial support for local health workers.

Child and maternal health

• Four mothers clubs were formed to monitor children’s nutritional status and teach mothers about nutrition.

• 217 mothers of children younger than 5 were trained on the prevention and treatment of childhood illnesses.

HIV and AIDS

• Youth from the Youth with Hope Network worked with 17 local churches to promote healthy life skills and raise awareness of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV prevention. They reached 1,311 people.

• 44 church leaders attended Channels of Hope workshops to help them address issues including reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and maternal and child health.

• 19 community leaders and youth were trained in advocacy and formed a health committee. They launched a health campaign in Sabana Perdida to raise awareness of HIV and tuberculosis.

• World Vision partnered with local health agencies to train 339 pregnant women in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

• 80 adults and 23 children living with HIV or AIDS received care and emotional support through HIV support groups.

Children are educated for lifeEducation is an essential building block that empowers children to reach their full God-given potential. An educated child has a greater chance of securing a well-paying job, accessing healthcare, and understanding their rights—all of which can help pull children out of poverty. World Vision staff and community members are advocating for children’s right to an education and working with local groups and government agencies to strengthen the quality of education, improve learning environments, and engage parents.

• During the 2012-13 academic year, 47 children attended preschool at Las Colinas Center, a community preschool recently opened with support from World Vision.

• 108 mothers of children younger than 2 were trained in methods for stimulating children’s cognitive and emotional development.

• 40 children and adolescents participated in after-school homework programs to strengthen their skills in reading, writing and math.

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Children are learning how to play piano and other instruments at World Vision’s music education program in Palmera.

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• 242 children completed a life-skills program in which they learned about the environment and healthy lifestyles, while developing a sense of individual, family, and community responsibility.

• 179 youth were trained on the dangers of drug abuse and the prevention of violence in their homes and communities.

• 391 children participated in student councils, helping to develop their leadership skills.

• 80 children enrolled at a World Vision-supported music school, studying flute, piano, and guitar. One student was admitted at the National Music Conservatory, with outstanding grades. This school is considered the top music institution in the Dominican Republic.

• World Vision assisted and promoted schools for children with special needs, who are often discriminated against and excluded.

• 1,882 children were involved in various clubs, including sports, recreation, the environment, health, education, leadership, communication, culture, and Christian impact.

Children are cared forWhen parents and caregivers are equipped to earn a living, they are better able to meet their children’s basic needs. World Vision helps adults develop sustainable sources of food and income, because it’s often the best way to ensure that children are cared for in the long run.

Economic development

• 226 people were trained in hairdressing, baking, upholstering, jewelry design, and other skills to increase their income.

• 129 entrepreneurs participated in a business planning workshop.

• 163 youth who recently completed vocational courses enrolled in business planning and entrepreneurship courses, equipping them to start businesses.

• World Vision conducted a market study in four communities to identify and improve existing microenterprises and start new economic development projects.

Disaster preparedness

• Eight schools developed emergency plans to prepare for and reduce the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes.

• 51 people were trained in risk management and first aid.

Vocational courses equip women like Heidy (left) with skills to earn a living. “My dream is to have my own bakery to bring some money home,” she says.

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ChurCh Partner rePort aPril 2014

Progress to end Poverty

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 • worldvision.org doM Palmera 168964 Fy13 annual report_generic © 2014 World vision, inc.5

Communities are equipped to continue development effortsWhen World Vision works in a community, we walk hand-in-hand with community members toward their specific vision—not ours—for a better future. We spend one to two years asking questions and listening to them identify their greatest needs and their most valuable skills and resources. In doing so, community members take ownership to find solutions and achieve significant, long-lasting progress. Before World Vision leaves a community, we ensure that our local partners—including community leaders, churches, businesses, government, and community-based organizations—are sufficiently trained and equipped to continue development efforts.

• 10 community leaders received training to help them influence municipal organizations and contribute to the development of their communities. As a result, the community leaders developed sustainability proposals for a vocational training center and for the City Hall of Santo Domingo Norte. They also formed a management committee for the creation of a community cooperative.

• Through a leadership school, 60 youth were trained on local laws, advocacy, human rights, sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, and other topics, empowering them to address challenges in their communities.

With deeP aPPreCiationSince its beginning, World Vision’s work has focused on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable children, and of their families. World Vision desires that every child achieve his or her God‑given potential. With good health and a strong education, children can one day lead and transform their communities. Thank you again for playing a vital role in this life‑changing work.

Danielis Vinicio reads from the Bible at the Feed my Sheep children’s Bible study in Palmera. “We are forming hearts to God, teaching them to grow in their spiritual life, to learn about values, discipline, and to become good believers,” says Maura, the group’s teacher.

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