Tropical Storm Franklin:
The Dominican Republic is facing another disaster just one week following the explosion in San Cristobal. Tropical Storm Franklin
made landfall on Tuesday and the catastrophic rains have caused flooding, erosion and infrastructural damage.
We are on the streets working to assess areas of urgent need and to coordinate the distribution of supplies and aid.
Your help with these efforts is appreciated.
Explosion in San Cristobal:
At this time, Friends of Hope is on the ground at the explosion site looking for ways to put our resources to work.
The Dominican Republic is a third world country and basic needs and services are often a daily challenge.
Given the catastrophic nature of the circumstances, they are especially difficult to procure. An immediate need is water.
If you can help us, please donate. We have a team on-site that is converting interest into action, as we speak.
Thank you
Spotlight on New Joy
"A huge joy was being able to go to the Bateys and actually see the work of our D.I.K. partners there. One of those partners
is New Joy Foundation. You know, you go into some of the Bateys and there can be kind of a, um, just a sadness... But you
go into Batey 106, where New Joy Foundation is, and there's just this overwhelming sense of hope, particularly among the young
people at that Batey. So, New Joy Foundation (or Fundacion Nueva Alegria) at the core, it was founded with the intention of
giving youth education and training- like helping build them up in their dreams, so that they would have hope that their life
can look different from the back-breaking work they have seen their parents do their whole life. Really just giving them hope
and a vision for their future.
So they have classes so that they can learn skills like sewing, art, dance, drama, cutting hair, entrepreneurship, digital
marketing. If a child dreams it then Liony Batista, who you see pictured here, he wants to help make that come true. Help
support them and build them up and show them that they're not just like dust in the wind, that the Lord has a heart for them
and a mind for them and that those desires are good. And just so many of the people we met, so many of the youth we met,
were so articulate, so hopeful. They really had a vision for their life and they really believed that the Lord had His hand
in their life, in large part due to the work of New Joy Foundation.
We came alongside this foundation around 2015. One of the things we sent was a large container of fabrics, and that was kind
of one of the first classes that got going... was this 'Joy of Sewing' project, where girls would come and take that fabric
and learn to sew little purses and things and then resell them. That started in 2015 and today, continues to be a class that's
offered alongside all of these others, I mentioned earlier.
Another thing that is really beautiful is, New Joy Foundation also serves in a barrio in Santo Domingo. And so in Batey 106,
it's a lot of Haitian immigrants. In the barrio, it's a lot of Dominican kids. Part of New Joy Foundation's vision is to really
bring those groups together. And so every year, the Haitian and Dominican kids, they go to camp together. And the first time
Liony and other leaders did it, the kids were a little reticent to it. Like, 'We don't know how this is gonna go.' but now,
they're friends with each other. They look forward to it. It's a big part of their lives."
- Katie, Cross Catholic Outreach
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
“On a global scale, conflicts, humanitarian crises, socio-economic inequalities, and climate change are threatening
livelihoods and leading to forced displacement, leaving millions of people worldwide exposed to the heightened risk of
trafficking.
The theme of this year’s World Day is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”. and is a call to action in
response to disturbing developments and trends of increasing ineffectiveness and impunity. To end the crime of human
trafficking we must enhance our efforts to address root causes, identify and support victims, strengthen prevention,
and end impunity.
We must be aware that trafficking happens everywhere, including in our streets, in our restaurants, in the products we buy,
and in the services we consume. Let us remain vigilant and match our words with action to tackle this human rights crime.“
-Ambassador Neil Holland
27 July 2023
Focus
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). It’s taken awhile, post-pandemic, for everyone to get fully back to normal.
To focus again on the things that actually matter. It seems so much was lost during those dark days… but God’s goodness surpasses any and all situations. So it’s
time to refocus. That’s why this summer we would like to once again get back to our youth camps in the mountains of Jarabacoa, far away from the bateys and barrios
they are accustomed to. This year’s theme: Focus! Because we want the youth to again focus on the plans and purpose God has already designed for them.
Three days/two nights, $85 per student. If you would like to join us and sponsor one of our youth, please donate.
-Liony Batista, Vice President
Stop Human Trafficking
January 2023 has been proclaimed “National Human Trafficking Prevention Month”
There are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people (adults and children) subjected to human trafficking around the world
and 63% of those are women who are sold for exploitation.
Friends of Hope International has made this cause a priority, as so many encountered in our outreach efforts are at a higher
risk of being victimized. Donations are being allocated to comprehensive health care, prevention education and psychological
assistance, as well as the augmented awareness of male victims of human trafficking, for which services in many countries
remain inadequate.
We are empowered by our donors and remain committed to expanding our work at their service.
Thank you
Delivering Hope
It’s the fourth week of the new year and Friends of Hope is on the ground in Dominican Republic, preparing 1,000 boxes of
joy to distribute to children in 5 barrios.
If you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time friend, we invite you to join us in this mission. Everything is of value.
No amount is too small. Together we can continue to bring hope and relief to those who need it most. A special thank you
to our partners in this rewarding work. We are nothing without you.
Crisis in Haiti
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has come to a near standstill. A coalition of gangs has seized control
of the fuel terminals, a cholera outbreak has sickened more than 850,000, clean water is scarce and an estimated million
people are starving.
The suggestion by several nations (including the U.S.) to intervene, by sending in a "multinational rapid action force" to
free the fuel and essential supplies from the grip of the gangs has stalled, and the imposition of sanctions is now the
interim solution as the U.N. seeks support for a more severe intervention.
While the distress call has captured the attention of the world, and the task of restoring security is the primary goal of
the United Nations, volunteers at Friends of Hope in Dominican Republic (who shares a border with Haiti) are on the ground,
mobilizing resources to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, just miles away.
At this time, we are focusing our attention on reaching safe points of entry for the handoff of supplies; including but not
limited to food, water and first aid. As such, we have officially added Haiti to the list of countries we support. Your
donations at this time are critical to the preservation of life and survival, in a country that is in peril. Thank you for
your attention to this matter and for your continued dedication to those in need.
Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian’s devastating landfall has left millions of people displaced. Storm surges topped 12 feet causing at least a
dozen deaths, flooding homes and closing off roadways. At last count, 1.2 million are without power in South Florida.
Search and rescue efforts continue by land and air as essential workers are racing to get to those who are injured, lost, or
in need of critical care.
Friends of Hope is working with the Florida Disaster Relief Fund to direct the disbursement of resources to anyone in need.
For the millions of Floridians stuck in the storm without electricity, this aid is urgent and vital.
Please help us to reach those who’ve been stricken by this catastrophic disaster by donating. Any contribution is essential
and greatly appreciated. We stand with our partners and those impacted by the hurricane as we mobilize our efforts. Thank
you for your support.