Our adventure in the Dominican Republic started with a VBS style kid’s club with about 50 kids in La Vega. The club is every Saturday at the Christian Education Center, which is also a church.
When my team first met Yuleisy, she greeted us with a huge smile. She is the pastor’s wife, a supermom, and also the director of the ministry for pregnant women. After the kid’s club, she was excited to show us this aspect of her ministry.
In Dominican Republic, it is normal for young girls to get married to older men, sometimes without a choice. Many young girls are used for sex while their families receive the profit.
According to girlsnotbrides.org, Dominican Republic has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with 37% of the girls married before the age of 18.
Yuleisy saw the need in her community, and started Gemas (gems in Spanish) 4 months ago. Gemas is a women’s program for pregnancy mommas who are first time mom, low income, single, or at risk pregnancies (physically or environmentally). Without even announcing the program, she has 15 moms. If she were to announce the program, MANY more would join because the need is so high. However, they currently only have the funds for 15 mommas.
Where their funds are from:
The tithing at their church completely goes to the women’s ministry. This goes to pay for the supplies that the women can buy with their “points” (see below the point system). Instead of taking the tithing as their income, the pastor and their wife use it for the women’s ministry (Gemas). All other supplies are by donation. They are not funded by any other organization.
What they do to educate the women:
I got the chance to sit in on two of the classes, even though it was in Spanish. Each class is based on the trimester. The women start off with a prayer, and go into talking about how they are feeling, physically, emotionally and spiritually. After this, they watch a video which covers many aspects of their pregnancy in that current term. Small classes allow for a safer environment to share. They meet once a week for an hour… from the time they join the program to 6 months after the baby is born. Each session is ended with a prayer.
Point System:
The women can gain points by attending class, sharing their testimony in the community, and by doing their homework assignments. They can redeem their points at the “store” (closet) that has baby clothes, bottles, other baby supplies, and also products for the women like deodorant. They also get 7 days of pre-natal vitamins each time they come.
How can you help?
My team and I loved this program from the minute we heard about it. Yuleisy has a huge heart for these women and babies. We have set up a “give platform” through adventures in missions. We set a goal of $1,150, which $150 will go to the fees of the give platform. The rest of the money will be used to buy supplies to stock this “store” ($1,000)! This would be a great way to bless this ministry with low funds and a huge passion. The fastest way, in my opinion, to change a community is through the women. They raise the children, and can influence their whole family. This program allows the women to have a smart and guided path to leading their family.
CHALLENGE BLESSING!!!: We are also working at a Haitian school. Children who moved to the DR, and are not yet legal citizens, must go to this volunteer ran school. The school/church is needing to be painted, but Is not able to afford the paint. We would LOVE to exceed our goal of $1,500, in order to help this school/church out with paying for the paint.
Please follow this link if you would like to give any amount! If you are not able, please share this and be praying for this ministry.
http://give.adventures.org/campaign.asp?campaignID=4121
The last day is June 13th !!!
