Away from the pristine beaches and holiday locations, poverty is a significant challenge in the Dominican Republic (DR). Many of the poor are Haitian refugees and migrants who travelled to the DR looking for a better life, only to become trapped in informal settlements and slum dwellings.

Our partners in the DR, the Samaritan Foundation, have been helping these communities by building sustainable villages with secure brick-built houses and local services like schools, community buildings and medical facilities.

We would like to support the building of 21 of these houses in 2021. Each house costs £4,000 to build, allowing for fluctuations in exchange rates and building prices.

The fundraising target of £4,000 for each home has included a small contingency allowing for price rises for materials and changes to exchange rates. If at the end of the project there is any surplus it will be allocated to our general project development fund. Gift Aid payments will be used to fund Mission Direct's general operational and administrative costs.

The Samaritan foundation have already built three houses paid for by donations from Mission Direct volunteers and supporters. These are already being used by people who really needed them.

Due to this relatively low cost for building a whole house for a family, it might be possible for families from the UK to fund one home themselves, or maybe a church or community group will be able to build a house or two.