Scholarships for Dominican and Haitian Youth

Yspaniola Scholars Mayra and Fede successfully finished their second semester and look forward to beginning a new term at the Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA).  In August, the scholars participated in an extracurricular activity related to leadership with organization Un Techo Para Mi País-Repbública Dominicana, constructing houses for people in need in Haina.  The Yspaniola Local Team also participated in a two-day construction project with Techo in Kilombo, a community near Santo Domingo, in October.  Also recently, Yspaniola and community members of Batey Libertad traveled to visit the border market of Dajabón and Ouanaminthe in Haiti to better understand Dominican and Haitian relations.

The women of the Microenterprise Artisan Project have been enjoying working together as they finish the paper maché houses. Haitian artist Paul Eligene from the capital arrives next week and will live in Batey Libertad for a month as he teaches the women how to paint designs on the houses. After the houses are completed and ready for sale, the women will learn how to make other crafts, in particular paper maché bowls, to which they can also apply their painting skills.  Yspaniola completed the first cycle of the Leadership Institute and will begin the second phase in late November.

Yspaniola is working to expand the university scholarship program to benefit students in nearby batey communities and has begun to conduct research education in nearby Boca de Mao.  You can contribute to providing additional scholarships for deserving students like Mayra and Fede through a donation, which will go towards university tuition and other academic expenses and supplies, while empowering the scholars as they acquire the skills and tools to become leaders and achieve their goals.  Thank you for your support!