Summer's Best 2 Weeks

(I also posted about the MF Site below this one)

My first trip to the DR was with my college small group, Gladdeus, in 2005. We went to Monte Plata to start building a SB2W summer camp. Well, that summer camp is now built and has been going strong for several years. Since I started working with boys last year it's been a dream of mine to send some of them to the camp. Well, 2 boys got that chance this summer: Nickaury and Franyi. They're both leaders in the club and have a lot of potential.

It was funny because, for several weeks, I kept building up at the boys leadership meetings that there was a great prize coming soon. When I finally told them that 2 of the 5 leaders would be going across the country to this camp their reaction surprised me: silence...total silence. It wasn't that they didn't think it would be fun, it was that they'd never left home before. They've spent 90% of their entire life in a little community about 1 mile life. This prize would take them further from home then they'd ever gone before. Thankfully, they braved it out and ended up having a great time.

They spent a week playing all different types of games, sports, and activities, as well as learning about Christ from their counselors. The first thing the boys asked me was if they would be able to go back next year. They will. They most encouraging part was that they came back on fire for God. Now it's my job to make sure that fire doesn't fade.


Nickaury.


Franyi. I know he looks American...even the other boys at the camp thought he was too until he spoke spanish.

100% and going strong

I haven't blogged much on the microfinance site lately, but that's not because it's not going well. Here are some encouraging stats after just 16 months since our first loan was given:

1. There are now 4 microbanks of 8-10 women each; MiBanco La Victoria, MiBanco Progresando, Mibanco Esperanza, and MiBanco El Tesoro
2. Nearly 40 women have loans
3. We have a bank in all 3 communities SI has been involved in over the past 10 years (El Callejon, Los Higos, and Mata Gorda)
4. We have a 100% repayment rate with no major problems to date.
5. MiBanco La Victoria has already paid back loans of $250 and $500. They each got a $1000 loan 2 months ago and are voluntarily paying it back at double the rate.
6. 2 women have accepted Christ and all of them have heard the Gospel and participated in Bible studies.
7. We regularly have women that show up at bank meetings with lists of women from their community that are ready and waiting to start businesses.

God has really blessed the program this past year. Pray that we would continue to grow as we continue to grow. Enjoy a few pictures from the past year:


Miriam, Lucy, and Milagros at Milagros' fried food stand. Miriam now works with me full-time in the microfinance site, Lucy worked with us as a student for 2 weeks and was one of the most amazing people I ever met. Milagros is in MiBanco La Victoria and started her stand with the loans.


Some students and I at Ramona's restaurant. Since this picture she's added a house behind and a roof over the area where all the students are sitting.


Dulce peeling the skin off of a yucca. She will later grind that yucca into a pulp and turn it into a flatcake called Casabe. Then she'll walk through town with her Casabe on her head until she sells it all.

SI DR Website

Hey everyone! We know we are way overdue on an update, but don't worry, we're on vacation this week so expect a good one soon. But until then...check out the new Students International Dominican Republic website...

www.sidominicanrepublic.com/dr