Self-Development of People International Partnership
Development Mission Strategy
As SDOP celebrates its work in the Dominican Republic we wanted to give you a comprehensive picture of our many accomplishments in the region. The strategy of focused funding in the Dominican Republic began in 2007, it ends in 2010. Partnerships have been established with 16 communities for a total of $546,240.
Some highlights:
Initially we identified three organizations working in communities who had an understanding of communities, their needs and abilities; and who had trusting relationships with the community people. They were:
- Centro de Solidaridad Para el Desarrollo de la Mujer, Inc. (CE-MUJER) – Committed to improving the quality of life of women and communities. Assisting in their empowerment for gender equality, through self-management, education, training in non-traditional technical skills, income generation, health and public politics with influence on both the national and local level
- The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) – Dedicated to promoting equity and self-sufficiency, improving human rights conditions, raising public awareness, and facilitating dialogues and collaborative endeavors geared towards creating a productive environment for the most vulnerable people in the Dominican Republic.
- Movement of Haitian and Dominico-Haitian Women (MUDHA) – Since their creations they have been committed to the defense of the human dignity of Haitians immigrants and their descendants born in the DR, with a particular emphasis on women’s rights. Their commitment is to human rights in general.
Through CE-MUJER SDOP partnered with groups of women working all over the Dominican Republic. When we first came to the DR we met women who were members of the Women’s Federation of Guerra. They were making candy in a one room house containing an oven; out back they had a huge pot over a fire where they stirred the mixture. The heat in that room was stifling. Today that house has been expanded; they have a second room that is screened in. They have a storefront where they sell their candy, cakes and bread. They have a truck delivering their products to different parts of country. In addition to the bakery the Women of Guerra have a warehouse and storefront where they sell needed grocery supplies at an affordable cost, they have a brick-making factory and they have built and staff a nursery for the children in the community. More than 367 women and their families benefit from the activities of this Federation.
When we met representatives of BRA and MUDHA they both spoke of people living in bateyes without running water, no sanitation, and the health conditions in these communities were terrible. (Bateyes are shantytowns originally founded by the Dominican government in the late 1800s so that laborers, primarily Haitians brought from Haiti, would be available to work on sugar cane plantations. Today, they remain home to sugar cane cutters and their families, and are among the poorest communities in the Dominican Republic.) We asked how we all could work together to address these horrible conditions. Together BRA and MUDHA identified nine bateyes in desperate need of clean water. The communities of Palmarjo, Batey Cojobal, El Bosque (Arriba, Abajo, Le Cerca) now have water. Systems for the other communities are in process. In the end more than 8,000 people will benefit from the collaborative efforts of the community people, BRA, MUDHA and SDOP. They will access to clean water, an improved sanitation system and classes on health and nutrition.
We also had the opportunity to work with farmers. The Producers and Farmers Federation of Azua are rice producers. As farmers they knew too much of their profit was being eaten up by middlemen. They needed to process their own rice. The Japanese Embassy provided funds to build a warehouse, SDOP provided funds to furnish that warehouse with needed equipment. The warehouse is up and running at 95 percent capacity, 66 rice producers are benefiting as well as the entire community.
During our time in the Dominican Republic the country was hit by Tropical Storm Noel. Many of our partners were affected by this storm. The storm hit just as the National Committee was meeting in Washington, D.C. At that meeting the Committee approved $300,000 for emergency assistance to our partners impacted. A request immediately came for FEPROCA a federation of 468 associations with over 2,531 families. We provided funds for food and cleaning supplies.
Keeping with the intent of the International Funding Strategy 2010 is the year SDOP will transition out of the DR and into Belize. Of course there is still much that needs to be done and with that in mind CE-MUJER has agreed to serve as an intermediary partner. Using the SDOP criteria they will continue establishing partnerships in the country.
Transitioning into Belize:
Recently the chairperson of the International Task Force, Cornelius Blanding, and the director, Cynthia White, conducted SDOP’s first visit to Belize. The visit was hosted by Belize Enterprise for Sustained Technology (BEST). BEST serves the entire country of Belize. Their programs include micro-credit and enterprise development, technology, training and networking, resource management and intermediate marketing. Communities visited were in the northern, central, and western parts of Belize, including communities bordering Guatemala as well as Mexico.
Presbyterian partners visited included Pastor Rafael Ku and Elder Ismael Vallejos of The Presbyterian Church of Belize. BEST provided an overview of Belize – politically, socially and economically. Help for Progress, an organization working with farmers provided information on issues impacting farmers. The Women’s Issue Network shared information on the issues impacting the lives of women.
On a second visit the Director traveled to the southern part of Belize. This part of the country is inhabited primarily by the indigenous Mayan Indians and the Garifuna people (descendants of Carib Indians and African slaves). The International Task Force of Self-Development of People will meet in Belize later this year to begin an in-depth educational process.
PARTNERSHIPS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2007-2010
Batey Relief Alliance (BRA)/Movement of Haitian-Dominican Women (MUDHA) — $196,618
Together BRA and MUDHA identified nine bateyes in desperate need of access to clean water. They, along with the community residents, also came up with plans for education in health care, nutrition, and sanitation. In the end over 8,000 people will benefit from the collaborative efforts of the community residents, BRA, MUDHA, and SDOP. As of April 2010 the communities of Palmarjo, Batey Cojobal and El Bosque (Arriba, Abajo, La Cerca) have water. Systems for the other communities are in process.
CE-MUJER — $21,000
CE-MUJER provided and will continue to provide technical assistance for many of the women’s federation receiving SDOP funding. Participants learn accounting, organizational skills, animal husbandry and management skills. As an organization CE-MUJER provides leadership and technical training to Women’s Federations and Associations throughout the Dominican Republic.
Women Federation of Marcelina de los Santos — $20,000
The women in the area have a block making factory but needed additional materials. The funds from SDOP allowed them to purchase the material (sand, cement, rod, stones) and a vehicle for delivering the blocks.
(second funding) — $15,000
The cheese factory was begun by other members of this federation. Funds provided increased work space for the factory employees and enabled the women to purchase much needed materials and equipment to make the factory more viable.
Women Federation of Guerra — $20,000
(second funding)
The women of Guerra own the machinery used for block making, they needed funds for additional material and a truck. Funds from SDOP allowed them to purchase the material (sand, cement, rod, stones) and a vehicle for delivering the blocks.
(third funding) — $41,667
This project allowed the women to enlarge a warehouse to store provisions that are used in community stores operated by members of the federation. Stores are very small and maintaining inventory on the shelves is next to impossible. The warehouse maintains the inventory and all of the stores have access to it.
Federation of Community Organizations of Imbert, Luperon and Altamira (FOCILA) — $18,923
This assisted in the establishment of 60 small cattle family run businesses. Each family raises a pregnant animal and later sells its offspring. The project is helping diversify the income of these rural women and thus increasing their economic status as well as that of their families.
Women Association (AMUTEC) — $46,027
This is an association comprised of low-income women working in the non-traditional women’s jobs of making and upholstering furniture. SDOP funds were used to fix the roof of the building where they sell their furniture and crafts. Funds were also be used to make the building more secure.
Farmer Women’s Federation of San Rafael del Yuma, (FEMUCABAYU), San Rafael del Yuma — $19,000
Through the use of rotating funds, this project provides credit to its members. SDOP funds are being used to purchase cows, pigs, and sheep which the women use to improve their economic status, as well as that of their families and communities.
Women Federation Secundina de los Reyes, Hato Mayor del Rey — $18,500
This project is a revolving line of credit and training program for approximately 900 women in the rural areas of the Hato Mayor Municipality. The rotating funds allow the women in the federation to start and improve small businesses while a training component provides leadership skills, empowering the women to make better decisions in their communities and increase their self esteem.
Young Group "Nueva Vision" — $6,850
This project focuses on the educational and technical training of youth to decrease early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as well as to prepare them to successfully establish a work place and operate a business. The second phase of the project assisted them in setting up a work place including the purchase of equipment and material.
Producer and Farmers Federation of Azua (FEPROCA, Inc.) — $32,000
This cooperative of 250 small rice producers was formed to eliminate the need to sell their product through middlemen. The funds from SDOP helped them in equipping their grain facility which they built on land gived to them by the Japanese Embassy.
Integral Development Foundation (FUNDI) — $19,745
Fifty farmers in this mountainous community are diversifying their production with fruits such as lemon and avocado, thus stopping the deforestation in the region. The byproducts are being used as animal feed.
Women Association (AMUTEMO) — $30,000
The SDOP partnership assisted this group of women in acquiring/renting property thereby enabling them to centralize the manufacturing and marketing of their products (tapestry, furniture, cabinets). The project also involves a skills development/training component.
Juan Pablo Duarte, Inc. Agricultural Association — $29,500
Funds from SDOP assisted in the creation of a rotating business fund to help the Association members to seed and harvest rice. The business allows the Association to then buy the farmers rice at a much better price than middlemen are willing to pay.
Pro-Defense Committee of Natural Resources & Community Action — $11,400
To protect their land and engage in reforestation members of the community are diversifying their crops with the planting of fruit trees.
Intermediary Partners
Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) — Egypt
CEOSS is a Christian development organization located in Cairo, Egypt committed to promoting social justice and enhancing the quality of life for impoverished Egyptian communities. It seeks to contribute to transformation of society by nurturing moral and spiritual awareness, enhancing a sense of belonging, promoting respect for diversity, addressing conflict, and advancing social justice for individuals and communities. Special emphasis is placed on women, handicapped persons in the poorest regions of Cairo, and rural Egypt.
Development Promotion Group (DPG) — India
DPG supports social development activities among women, children and neglected minorities in South India. Most of DPG activities are in Tamil Nadu and Karnatuaka, with a smaller presence in Andhra Pradesh. The projects, both urban and rural in nature, range from development to sanitation to housing to education.
West Africa Initiative — Liberia & Sierra Leone
In 2009-2010, Self-Development in collaboration with the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance began assisting with the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The program is being implemented by Agricultural Missions, Inc. The primary goals of the collaboration are
- to develop the technical and management capabilities of the Councils of Churches
- improve the food security and economic status of individuals, families and communities
- develop and strengthen community-based organization
Ecumenical Church Loan Fund (ECLOF) — Africa minus Egypt
ECLOF is an ecumenical loan program headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. In many countries on different continents, ECLOF stimulates the entrepreneurial vitality of poor people who wish for a better life and are willing to work to achieve it. Affordable credit is granted to economically disenfranchised groups, associations and institutions so that they may participate in their own development. Loan disbursements and payments are in local currencies. National ECLOF committees administer the loan process through a grassroots, participatory process.
The partnership is 2008-2009 was that ECLOF would allocate SDOP funds only in Africa. The International Task Force voted to not continue the partnership with ECLOF in 2010.
Centro Regional Ecumenico de Asesoria y Servicio (CREAS) — Argentina
CREAS is a Christian organization organized to support actions taken by local churches and community groups in the context of the social realities in Argentina. The "Ecumenical Fund for Support to Small Projects" focuses on strengthening and nourishing grassroots initiatives.
Coordenadoria Ecumenica de Servico (CESE) — Brazil
CESE is a philanthropic entity institutionally consisting of Christian churches that get together in the ecumenical commitment of affirming life. Its mission is to fortify groups of people involved in struggles for political, economic and social transformations that lead to structures in which democracy with justice prevails. Its purpose is to study, research, assist, appraise, promote and coordinate projects aiming to develop the whole life of people in society, in light of the Christian faith, without any social, economic, religion or racial discrimination.
The SDOP partnership with CESE has been concentrated in their "Small Projects Fund." This fund is for one time only grants aiming to encourage and complement the efforts of communities, popular organizations, and support groups. The emphasis is on training, promotion of organization, equipment and small-scale production projects.
Growing independence for women in Ceara
In the Northeast of Brazil a CESE/SDOP partner, in the state of Ceara 20 women are transforming their lives and bringing a fresh approach to growing food in their community – one which is protecting the environment and strengthening the role of women.
The Women’s Movement of Ibiapaba spread their message at weekly trade fairs. The lively music of the local forro bands, which accompany the events, draws the crowds. Their stalls selling typical food of the region – maize cake, cassava/manioca, tapioca – are crowded with customers. The locally made handicrafts are not yet so popular. But the event is gaining popularity and the number of customers is growing.
Many women in the region are already actively involved in producing crops for their family. But in most cases they are not involved in the whole production process and usually excluded from commercial activities. The project supported by CESE with SDOP funds gives women the opportunity to be fully involved in all aspects of production as well as promoting and selling their wares. The fairs provide an opportunity to promote their produce – and a new perspective on the role of women in the community.
Between the songs the women give talks, promote their products, the nutritional benefits and principles of environmentally friendly farming and issues of fair trade. It is also a chance to update local people on the week’s news.
Importantly the increasing independence of women is leading to greater equality in gender relations.
Although the profits so far have been small and often do not cover costs, identifying areas of inequality between men and women within families and within institutions is the first step to transforming unjust structures of subordination, exploitation and profiting from the work of women. Only through sharing this learning and experience will it be possible to construct a new approach to environmental and human relations – one which promotes equality and environmental justice.
NOTE: We are not currently accepting applications from individual groups outside the United States. For more information, contact the SDOP staff.