.....We built a NEW WEB SITE at...
*** ProvidingOpportunity.org ***
________________________________
Please visit, it's a better site ..and current
*** On October 2nd, "Project 1" was completed!
--- We built 18 New Homes, a School, a Clinic, and a New Water Distribution system.
*** A COMPLETE SUCCESS !
MUCHAS GRACIAS to all who have been a part so far
See our current progress at.....ProvidingOpportunity.org
On Facebook our link is.... http://www.facebook.com/providingopportunityDR
This is a link to a youtube video from one of the families .. click the photo you see..
www.youtube.com/profile?user=BarrioBlanco and another from onsite about the project taken in April/May.. https://vimeo.com/43782199
Many of us who have travelled have seen poverty in other countries. Hungry, adorable children ask for pennies for food. Sustinence. While our gifts are appreciated dearly, we haven't cured anything.
This is a blog about the community of Barrio Blanco; located in the town of Cabarete, Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, and a project to truly help these people in a more permanent way. Barrio Blanco is a squatters' camp that began 23 years ago and has grown to 360 people. These are the poorest of the poor. Mostly women and children, 70% are Dominicans, and 30% are Haitians.
My name is Ron Zauner. I'm 61 years old, retired, and live in Eugene, Oregon. While on vacation 17 years ago I ventured into this slum built from scraps. The people seemed nice, and I met "la abuela" (grandmother) Regina and became friends with her. Over the years I have visited her several times. Now, because I am able, I want to "give back" by giving others a hand up by improving their living conditions. These people need help...my help...your help.
These good people live in Barrio Blanco a very, very poor neighborhood
What follows is a look at who they are and how they live. Beginning in February we began knocking down and rebuilding basic and decent new homes for as many families as funds would allow which has turned out to be 18 and also a school/community center that we're hoping to house a part-time clinic. The residents in the community are building the new homes with their own work, and the money for materials is from donors in the U.S.A, Canada, and Sweden.
This plan has fundamental differences from other charities. Please continue.
These are Domingo Kin's children. When I showed a couple from Canada, Larry and Janet Carver around the barrio, this littlest girl took Larry's hand halfway through and wouldn't let go. She cried as he left. Their new home is almost complete shown below.
You...could lift these children out of poverty
and it wouldn't be too hard
There are three homes here
What would your life have been if you started out like this? I've seen that where we are born determines much of our future. What did any of us do to deserve being born where we were? -- What did these children do to deserve this? --
Overview of the neighborhood of Barrio Blanco. All that greenery makes it look nice, doesn't it? On the ground, inside, things look much different. This is home to the poorest of the poor. A former Peace Corps volunteer told me that after having spent time in Haiti, and then visiting this barrio, this was as bad as anything he'd seen in Haiti. Haiti got publicity, and money, but much was wasted. Here, with no publicity, we use donations sparingly.
Sometimes it rains for weeks. The barrio is next to a lagoon. There is no septic system.
Water mixed with sewage floods inside all homes and everywhere almost two feet. When I introduced a visiting donor couple to 64 year old Maria Gil, she came to the door wearing boots. Because they were not high enough, she had cinderblocks strewn inside her home to walk on. Inside her home was filled with water. Had she not received help from her donors, the rest of her life would be like that. We are building her a new home now. There are others.
This photo was taken after
One day of rain
Houses like this will are knocked down. In place we build a painted plastered-cinderblock home elevated by three feet before its cement floor. Steps up to the front door. Aluzinc roofing that resists rusting in the salt-air. Bathroom, kitchen, and generally 1 bedroom per two people. House sizes will range from 350 to 700 sq. feet. To the right is an architect's sketch of Angela Encarnation's new home.
This is what we are doing
February 1, 2012 February 22, 2012 March 7, 2012
Pici is a skilled brickmason
One block in more blocks in ready for septic install
*** All donated money goes go directly to construct the new homes...either for materials, or a small portion for construction labor (many recipients are households of women and children only) and a small amount for food and water for workers.
*** There are no paid staff.
*** No expenses of any kind are be deducted from your direct donation. I will pay all other expenses. This is part of my familys' donation. Organizing, travel, fundraising, communication, lodgings etc. Your money goes directly and only to build the house.
*** Because the fundraising is being done with personal funds, we can't afford an advertising campaign to attract thousands of contributors. Donors are being sought on a more personal basis. This is more direct. I fully share information with people interested in making a true difference in others' lives. Contact info below. Shown below are families in need of sponsors. If you want to help a family (or in my nice dreams, families), you will see via internet the construction of the home you have sponsored as it is being built. I send progress updates to all donors at least once every two weeks with many photos. Donations are specific to homes, and we will tell you which family's home your donation is being used for before it is built. You will see "your" home completed, and the happy family moved in. You will have changed their lives with your generosity.
*** The results are measureable and accountable. You either see your house built...or you don't. You can "measure" this result in a way that you cannot with other worthy charities. Further, I will answer all emails and telephone calls personally. I will happily meet with donors or potential donors personally and transparently show all information. You will become part of this team with your support.
*** Unlike many excellent charities, I have "skin in the game". I have been and expect to continue to be the number one contributor for this charity both with my time and money.
*** The costs to build are much much cheaper in Dominican Republic, and the community will do the building. Average cost of $11.50 per square foot.
*** This is not a band-aid solution. These homes are being built solidly and will allow a decent standard of housing that will last for decades. Think about how this impacts these people.
*** Before we began, these people lived under the constant threat of being bulldozed out as squatters. Because enough of us had contributed enough to build many homes, I was able to get the government to Grant Rights to build and live in Barrio Blanco. The threat of being bulldozed is past. Such is the strength of individual donors formed into a group.
*** While people who have donated have enjoyed and focused on the individual families their gift benefits, what I have seen is a shift within the whole community as we've been building. Where before, these people had no hope for a better future, it is different now. Several people who are not receiving homes so far work daily only in the hope that someone will step-forward for them.
In the Caribbean, here is Cabarete
Cabarete is a beach town, population 25,000 with hotels ranging from luxurious to ...
The people are very friendly. Town is chaotic.
The beaches range from busy to desolate. You can come to windsurf, golf, kiteboard, relax, or just to get away to someplace different.
Barrio entrance from the street
Barrio Blanco itself is hard to notice unless you look for it. Right in town, you need to walk down a 200' alleyway to find it. You can enjoy a great vacation and come to visit your recipient family if you choose.
Beautiful Children
Fun People....in a tough spot
If you were these children,
what would you be thinking about?
It seems to me that 3 or 4 years old is too young to learn to be hopeless
We are currently building 18 homes and...
A School/Community Center building
We have donors already for the above families
Wonderful Donors are needed
for the following families
(donating options below)
We need sponsor for this family
Mariano Rosario Mariano 51
Christofer 8
Mariano has been working harder than anyone only "in hope" of getting a sponsor. He adopted Christofer at 1 year old and is a loving father. His crummy little home fills with 2 feet of water, and he works sporadically as a welder. Christofer is in 8th grade and likes swimming and math, and Mariano is a warm gentle man
2 bedroom home
These two homes are where Franz and Ehdri have been living
Franz needs some sugar
He's a charming single man who normally shows his beautiful smile
to everyone. He works really hard on the project during the day till 3pm
and then goes to work as a security guard. This project is his opportunity
to improve his life. Small house costing only $2500
Ehdri is Franz's next door neighbor. He' a young man of 19, and likewise has a ready
smile. Ehdri works at a local hotel all night. His small house will also cost $2500. He has
been sharing the outhouse with Franz and 7 others. Ehdri is also from Haiti, but I think
he's been living in Barrio Blanco for 9 years. This home changes his future.
Still need $ 2,600 for this house
Domingo Kin and family
Domingo Kin 50
Alesandra 32
Eliandra 9
Eliandra 9
Eli 4
Elieser 3
Domingo is a happy guy. He is roughly
bilingual, and was a fisherman before he had
an accident
3 bedroom home
We need a sponsor for this family
Popo Alesandro Pena Family Popo Alesandro 29
Angela Herrera 22
Jorde 5
Angel 4
Popo has been working every day only
"Con espera" which means "with hope"
that we'll find a sponsor for his family
He is one of the hardest workers in the
project and a really nice man
3 bedroom home
Angel 4
Popo has been working every day only
"Con espera" which means "with hope"
that we'll find a sponsor for his family
He is one of the hardest workers in the
project and a really nice man
3 bedroom home
because costs were a bit higher, still could use $725
Juana Maria Gomez 26
Arbert 6
Anabel 3
Juana is a warm person and a caring mother
If you met her you would feel a bond
with her right away. She's real...and nice
2 bedroom home
Need sponsor $ 4,400
Argenis Marquez, Eva Castillo
Argenis Marquez 27
Eva Castillo 19
This young couple is just starting out.
1 bedroom home
Need sponsor $ 4,800
Sucre Alberto Lima
and family
Sucre Alberto Lima 34
Yogeidy 23
Cristofer 4
Sucre drives a "moto-concho", a motorcycle taxi
This barely feeds his family. His nickname
is "Cookie" and he is one of the hardest workers
This barely feeds his family. His nickname
is "Cookie" and he is one of the hardest workers
2 bedroom home
Donating
There are two ways you can donate to make a difference. The new homes' total costs' average $5600 and will range from $4000 for a 1 bedroom home for two to $6000 for a family of 7 to 9. This is a one time donation. Construction is done by residents. Cost is $11.50 per square foot. Imagine that.
1) Donate to buy materials for one family's house. By contributing to purchase materials for one home, a specific home will be built with your donation. This is direct. This house would not have been built without you. Before building, we will inform you of which family is receiving the new home. You will be able to see it, touch it, and join in construction if you wish. There will be a family who you will be able to meet if you would like, and then you will really understand the impact of your generosity.
2) Not everyone can afford to contribute for a whole house. Every one of us has some limitations, and yet, with good hearts we want to do something to help others. Because we want everyone to know exactly what they have each accomplished with their generosity, we will offer up one family at a time to build a home for. As donations complete for this family, another one will be offered. The current is the Mariano Rosario family. Donations of less than a total home will be bundled toward this family's possible home. When donations are completed for one of these homes, you will receive notice of which home your donation is being applied toward, and when it will be built via email.
As you donate, you become part of the team. You have opened the door to an adventure. A Dominican adventure that will change your life also. When you see how effective your donation has become, for the rest of your life, you will know inside, and you will see that indeed, you can make a difference for the better.
Because of my limitations, I can't put my resources into advertising or a big campaign. That is not the nature of this project anyway. This is more personal and direct. When you think about donating, please understand that there won't be 500 or 1000 donors. There will be fewer of us. As a team we will each carry what weight we can shoulder. I can't do this alone, and have found others to join with me to help these people. We have come together as an organization called "Providing Opportunity for Self Improvement, Cabarete, Dominican Republic". With the strength of your generosity, and within your limits, please carry what you can. Updating this on June 24, 2012 from Cabarete, I can tell you that we have funding for 18 homes so far and a school and are in the midst of building. At present all homes have walls built, our first has its roof on, 4 more have roof trusses, and the school is halfway built. We could really use another $450 for each home for finishing touches including sinks, stove, lighting, drain catches and door handles.
To date we have received a bit over $110,000. We have spent approximately $85,000 in purchasing materials so far. The rest is still in US Bank in Oregon or Banco Popular in Cabarete. Receipts are open to viewing at anyone's request. Our main material supplier is named LLibre in an adjacent town with a second supplier named Linares, and our materials are stored in their secure yards. You can see the materials delivered, and can see the house constructed. We will post ongoing photos and video of your home being built. There are links above to view current progress. At one point we had 37 people working. We've reorganized this to 18 to 22 people working full time. They are organized into crews.
Our corporate Directors are Ron Zauner, Jay Seidmon, and Rick Bronson. One of us will personally respond to anyone via email or telephone within a day...probably right away.
No, we can't solve all the world's problems, but we can solve some. If you would like to help these people, you can.
Donations can be made by check to: Providing Opportunity for Self Improvement
85017 Willamette St.
Eugene, Or. 97405
or bank wire..please contact for information
or you can use the PayPal donate button. With PayPal, please note that an "online convenience fee" that amounts to 2.9% is charged by PayPal. If you use this option, could you please add this, otherwise, I will need to. On the other hand, it's really convenient.
Your receipt for taxes will be sent within 2 weeks. We have just received 501(c)3 tax deductible status !
There was a very good story written about the project by Randi Bjornstad published in the Eugene Register Guard newspaper on Nov. 13, 2011. Randi and photographer Paul Carter came to Cabarete during the first week in March to research the project, our progress, and the community first hand. They published their account on April 8, 2012 on the front page. This is the link to the November story:
http://www.registerguard.com/web/livinglifestyles/27144371-44/zauner-houses-dominican-republic-barrio.html.csp
My name is Ron Zauner. You can contact me at providingopportunity@gmail.com or
Jay Seidmon in Eugene, Oregon at 541-686-8115
I will be pleased to tell you everything about this plan
to help Barrio Blanco people.
