"One of the best ways to reduce poverty is through education."                           Moises Sifren, Maranatha Ministries

The Haitian children of the Dominican Republic face many obstacles - especially when it comes to education. There is ONLY one high school that services about 50 of 300 + bateyes. Lack of public transportation and the numerous miles of walking it takes to get to that one high school - forces many children to drop out of school by the 5th grade.

In the Dominican Republic about 40 percent of students drop out of school before secondary school.  In addition, one (1) in four (4) girls drop out of school due to pregnancy.

Building a high school in the Milagrosa Batey allows children in 10+ bateyes to have access to higher education - within a SAFE walking distance.  It also minimizes the risk of young girls being raped in route to and from school.

This building will bridge the educational gap for high schoolers and be used as a future technical/vocational school for adults.  It also will allow more opportunities for families to move out of the bateyes and into the city - where they can be better provided for.