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Current/Recent ProjectsRancho Francisco Rancho Francisco is a small farming village outside of San Jose de Ocoa made up of 42 families. Hermandad funded and constructed the original aqueduct in Rancho Francisco in 1990. Over the past 28 years, this village has seen many destructive tropical storms and hurricanes. Hermandad Inc., in partnership with Peace Corps & Fund for the Poor, are currently working with Rancho Francisco to repair the original system, build 26 new latrines, and educate the community on reforestation.
Hermandad Inc. and Hermandad Dominicana (our sister organization in the DR) are now working directly with the First Lady’s organization, “Progresando,” on a housing project in El Seibo. This project is also in conjunction with a new block building technology by Habitech, which builds hurricane-proof housing. We are now close to completion with the first section of 10 houses with which home owners are very proud to have participated. Four are completed and turned over to residents, three are substantially completed and the remaining three are on wall construction and should be completed before Christmas. All these houses have three bedrooms, one bathroom with a shower, combination living room/dining room and kitchen. The new residents are so very pleased with them because this is the first time in their lives that they have lived in a house with indoor plumbing, concrete walls and floors as opposed to tin walls and dirt floors.
Hermandad has been working with the assistance of Rotary, the Sisters of Charity, Fund for the Poor, and Oxfam, to bring potable water and health education to Francisco Mateo and the surrounding area. The project was design to address health concerns as well as the endemic flight of families to nearby cities. Phase one of the project, the design and construction of a clean water system, has been completed. Phase two, now underway, includes the educational component, with the roles of community health, system maintenance, and gender issues addressed.
Palo de Caja A recently completed village aqueduct project which included over 40 families, Palo de Caja's comprehensive program included a critical educational component focusing on such subjects as finances, maintenance, gender equality, health, and water conservation.
Past Projects (a partial sampling)Tropical Storm Noel Damage In the wake of tropical storm Noel, Hermandad reacted quickly, and by the end of 2007, had repaired ten water systems that were severely damaged by Noel. Funds for this repair work partly came from our emergency solicitation at our fall gala in October 2007, for which we were grateful. Additional funding was provided by Fund for the Poor.
Los Cacoas Aqueduct Hermandad successfully implemented and completed a 4 community aqueduct system in Los Cacoas, which now brings potable water to each family in these communities. Photos from 2 of the 4 communities can be seen by clicking Francisco Mateo or Palo de Caja. These families were educated in healthier practices, as well as better hygiene in their use of this new source of clean water. This completed system consists of 4 newly constructed water storage tanks, more than 20 Kilometers of tube lines, 3 electric pumps, 2 spring boxes, 4 break pressure boxes, and more than 200 taps, effecting over 240 individual families. All labor was done by the communities benefiting from the system. This is an amazing accomplishment.
Soana Mani In the community of Soana Mani, Hermandad completed a repair project of an existing water tank, as well as modification of an existing water pump due to the lowering of the local water table.
Peace Corps Training Hermandad’s Field Coordinator, Rafael Custodio, has currently completed his second session of assisting in training new Peace Corps Volunteers in water and sanitation. Hermandad has now been involved with this training for more than 8 years, in partnership with ENTRENA, which has had an impact in spreading our technology countrywide for the benefit of low-income communities.
Al Campo Al Campo Inc., an alliance of twelve communities formed with Hermandad's assistance, currently partners with Hermandad in the implementation of a wide-reaching integrated rural development program supported by various national and international institutions. Al Campo is an evolving entity and is the embodiment of sustainable development at work. The various project components involve Hermandad's competencies in:
Other Projects Hermandad has been involved with numerous projects over its 30 year history. Besides building water supply projects, Hermandad has also been involved with water filtration projects, irrigation projects, housing, and community self-reliance reinforcement. |
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Upon receipt of a comprehensive report, Hermandad will be actively raising funds to provide relief to the communities most affected by Hurricane Ike. If anyone is interested in donating to this relief fund, they can donate on this website or send a tax-deductible donation to the Hermandad Inc. office.
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