But since the Dominicans have acquired machinery to take over their jobs, there is no work available for the Haitian immigrants. They are not allowed back into Haiti because they left illegally. Also, the living conditions in Haiti are still much poorer than in the Dominican Republic, so they probably wouldn't go back even if they could. Now they are not allowed to work in the DR (Dominican Republic) because the DR barely has enough work for themselves. This leaves the Haitians living in poverty conditions with very little food, clothing or medical supplies.
We're bringing in a load of lumber to work on the latrines. The latrines were built in 3 different locations within the Bateys.
A team of workers riding to the job site. We rode this bus to the Batey each day to work.
The sugar cane workers from Haiti have been replaced by machinery purchased by the Dominican government (right).
The Toms Creek United Methodist Church Team. Six people from my church went to the Dominican Republic in 2004. Here, we proudly complete a latrine (right).
The Haitian refugees live in the Bateys,
a community across the border in the Dominican Republic.
The Care and Feeding
of Haitian Refugees in the Dominican Republic
by Lynn Fraley
In January 2004, I went to the Dominican Republic to do work for the Haitian refugees who live in work camps in the Dominican Republic. These camps started out as places for the Haitians to live while they worked in the sugar cane fields.
The team that I go to the DR with goes once in the winter to work in the Bateys (the areas where the illegal Haitians live) and once in the summer to work with the middle class Dominicans. Last year, we built 25 latrines in the Bateys.
This past January, we worked on a church in the Bateys. The building was started 15 years ago by the government as a community building and was never finished. We knocked out walls, dug footers, poured concrete beams and columns, and laid blocks for a second floor. This time when my husband, Tim, goes to the DR, his team will be working on the roof of the church and two homes for some Haitians who made the abandoned building their home while we were gone.
Each time we go to the DR, we take tools, clothing, school supplies, candy, sports equipment and medical supplies. We pack two suitcases each, as full as possible (up to 68 pounds), with mostly donated items. Most of our personal belongings are packed in our carry-ons.
Lynn in a footer hard at work. "I had to cut out the wall in the footer so that when we poured the cement, it would run under the wall into the footer on the other side."
These kids sat on a log and watched us work that day. One boy is proudly wearing a donated fleece shirt, even though it never gets below 72 degrees there, even at night.
When we arrive in the middle class area of the DR, we think that they are very poor compared to us, but they are well off compared to the children of the Bateys. Many children in the DR are sponsored by Compassion International and get help that way. Compassion International is not available for the children of the Bateys, so we are happy to give the goods we bring to them.
In the middle class section of the DR, the group that I go with has built a church, a school, a basketball court and some other projects. The leader of our group, Steve Hull, has been going to the DR, as well as mission trips to other countries, for 12 years. But since he started his own group with his wife Ann, The Least of These Ministries, he concentrates on the Dominican Republic only.
There are countless more stories to tell, but they will come later. Tim and I look forward to many more trips to help The Least of These Ministries and support the wonderful work they are doing in the Dominican Republic.
Notes on The Least of These Ministries
The Least of These Ministries was founded by Steve and Ann Hull to help feed the Haitian refugees who cross the border into the Dominican Republic. Their mission has extended far beyond distributing food. They provide clothing and medical supplies, raise sanitation standards by building latrines, provide homes and are currently building a church.
Based in Westminster, Maryland, this group raises money through local churches and community organizations. Anyone who would like to donate money or have Steve and Ann speak to your church or community group, is welcome to contact them at the following address. Dozens of dedicated people donate their time and muscle to go to the Dominican Republic with Steve and Ann to help with their mission. Lynn and Tim Fraley are one of those extremely generous couples.
The Least of These Ministries
Steve and Ann Hull
170 Airport Drive
Westminster, Maryland 21157
Lynn and Kathy visiting the babies in a Batey. This house had beautiful twins which made us cry, and the people laughed at us crying.
Lynn playing ball with the kids using a stick and a bottle. Lynn's father-in-law, a former baseball player, donated 9 gloves, 4 bats and balls for the next trip.
Tim was a good sport when the kids in the Batey asked to braid his hair.
Cutting the framework for the Latrines. This is a pile of lumber at the first Batey we worked in.
A happy family waiting for their new latrine to be built.
We supply one small can of beans and one small can of rice to each person per week. Once a month, they each get one egg.
Dale playing with kids at Batey Los Robles. Some of them have never seen a wheel barrow much less get to ride in one.
Tim (standing) and the gang loaded up the truck with beans and rice to deliver to the Bateys. Steve Hull purchased the truck with funds from donations for Franklin, who lives in the DR and delivers food when we're not there.
The children rush toward our truck when we arrive, hoping to get candy.
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| ©Copyright 2005 Barbara Lawyer |
