Dominican Republic
In 2001, Mustard Seed Communities was asked to establish a home for children with disabilities in the small town of Cangrejo, on the outskirts of Puerto Plata. Thanks to gifts from many dedicated supporters, Mustard Seed was able to acquire property, construct and furnish a home named Hogar Immanuel.
The need to care for children with disabilities in the Dominican Republic continues to grow. Mustard Seed recently acquired three acres of land next to the existing home to expand the program and accommodate more children. Plans for the property include a chapel, volunteer housing and an administrative office.
Hogar Immanuel |
Batey La Union |
Sosua |
Hogar Immanuel
There are currently twenty children with disabilities living at Hogar Immanuel. Eight of the children attend physical therapy, occupational therapy and special education daily.
Johnny Martinez turned 10 years old in the fall of 2008. Johnny has meningitis, as well as physical and mental disabilities. He came to Mustard Seed Communities in May 2001. He was abandoned on the door steps of a clinic so not much is known about his past. Johnny was not able to walk when he arrived at Hogar Immanuel but, with extensive physical therapy he is now walking and running just as any typical child. He loves to play and always has a smile on his face.
Batey La Union
Many Haitian refugees live in Batey La Union, a small village located near the Sosua Garbage Dump. Many of the people are not able to read and write Spanish, which is the national language in the Dominican Republic. Therefore, the children are not permitted to attend public schools. In 2008, Christ in the Garbage Ministries opened a school in the village to teach these children basic reading, writing, mathematics, Spanish and religious education. Classes are offered at no cost and each child is fed a meal every day. Christ in the Garbage Ministries provides school supplies, uniforms and shoes to all of the students. Summer programs are in place for children under the age of seven.
Sosua
Every day, trash is being generated and disposed of in massive garbage dumps all around the world. In many developing nations, people live and work in these dumps. When garbage trucks arrive to dump waste, the children and adults rush to the new heaps of trash to pick out what can be used, sold or eaten.
In 2003, Mustard Seed Communities saw firsthand the destitution and devastation in the dumps and developed Christ in the Garbage Ministries to feed, empower and pray with the people living in the garbage.
Mustard Seed Communities began distributing food packages consisting of sardine, rice, cornmeal, sugar, cooking oil, beans and toiletries to people in the Sosua Garbage Dump.
