Dominican Republic
Education

Despite being well known as a tourist destination, poverty is common in the Dominican Republic and its effects severe. For over 10 years, WER has been working with our partner Integración Juvenil (IJ) in Puerto Plata, supporting projects that aim at helping underprivileged children into mainstream education and away from life on the streets. Since it was founded in 1978, IJ has been able to help thousands of children integrate back into a standardized educational setting and provide them with a brighter future.

Over 300 underprivileged children between the ages of 7 and 16 are currently enrolled in IJ’s educational programmes; the majority of these are in the Muñoz Centre. The Muñoz Centre provides young people with educational programmes, including some that allow students to participate in woodwork and sewing classes, art and handicraft workshops or even a beauty salon class. The programmes offered here have recently received accreditation as part of the Dominican Republic national curriculum.

IJ also run a city centre project that also provides education for young people, including intensive literacy classes that are designed to help young people re-enter the education system. There are vocational courses taking place in the afternoon, IJ also provides transportation and educational materials, such as notebooks and pens. A computer and multi-media lab also supplement the educational programme.