PHILANTHROPY

"Mission Accomplished: Dominican Republic and Haiti Relief."

This is the sign when you come into the town, Hatillo (the town we put the water system into.)

The Dominican mountain towns and villages are a beautiful place to visit. Striking 360 degree views are seen from almost every street, and the green scenery makes our “green” in California look “brown.” While there I stayed on a mission base named “Youth with a Mission”, which can most accurately be described as a complete paradise (with the exception of mosquitoes and other flying villains.) It is there that I learned of the water issue on this island. Most villages and towns do not have water-sanitizing systems and are forced to use unclean water to cook, bathe, and drink. Sadly, almost half of all disease and sickness contracted on the island is caused by the unclean water usage. It is difficult to understand that something we consider in the US as an inalienable right is so unattainable in the two countries that share this land. Luckily, with minimal investment and some effort, we have the ability to create clean water systems in the villages around here. The project I worked on is called Living Waters, and it is an amazing way to spend the spare time and money that we US citizens take for granted so much of our lives. Dominican people lack the most simple of needs, yet they are the epitome of “making something out of nothing” and are not the typical impoverished villagers that some would expect. They take pleasure in the good things in life. For example, every house I passed was usually blasting music and the people were laughing and dancing together. In addition, many of the people have gone to years of school and are therefore quite smart and also aware of their relative depravation in the mountains. Also, as a fashion writer for Society 805, I couldn’t help but notice the number of stylish metallic gladiators and hot pink “Calvin Klein” shirts on the young girls and children.

The gray building is where the water system will be station, the towns people are helping with the installation

The people are so joyous and cheerful and celebratory, that one forgets that they lack necessary things such as water. And even more so, they are so content that one forgets that on the other side of this island there lies Haiti, a country in so much poverty, whose burdens are so tragic, that one can imagine they have all but lost the cheerfulness and optimism that at one point most seemingly penetrated their villages as does in the Dominican. For as much love fills my heart for the kind people of the DR, just as much heartbreak fills me for their situation and for the struggling people of Haiti. Haiti is a country so politically corrupt that the government has put taxes on donations to the needy. That’s right, this means that the government is saying, “yeah, that’s nice and all, you trying to save our people from despair, but if you want to send clothes and money to give freely to the poor, you’re going to have to pay the rich and powerful, too.”

The people in the classroom are learning about clean water systems and sanitation. The children are doing projects related to water.

This island is in desperate need of our help. It is comforting to know that many people in our community in the 805 have already begun supporting both countries. Direct Relief International, based out of Santa Barbara, has already raised $6,300,000 for Haiti. Equal Exchange is an organization that sells free trade products like coffee and chocolate, and one of their farms is in Central California. For retail stores that would like to sell free trade products, Equal Exchange’s sales rep’s contact information is located below. Also, AlterEco Fair Trade, which has products from the Dominican Republic, sells in Santa Barbara at the IV Co-op and Bristol Farms Lazy Acres, and also sells at Whole Foods Markets in both Thousand Oaks and Woodland Hills. Free trade is important because it allows villages to thrive. In addition to these amazing efforts, more clean water work must be done. Living Waters and the mission I stayed with in the Dominican would be delighted to have West Coast churches become involved. Santa Barbara Community Church is a non-denominational church that already does missions all over the world. Non-religious volunteer programs are also an excellent way to help. The OpenStreet Map Foundation and International Student Volunteers, Inc are both programs located in the 805 who have already begun helping as well. For more information on any of the stores, churches, or groups mentioned here, some contact information is located below.