The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is located in the West Indies, a collection of islands in the Carribean Sea, just south of the state of Florida. The per capita income (2005) was $6,600. Unemployment runs 17% and most employment is centered around the largest cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago.

The Carribean Basin
	The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Its area equals that of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Duarte Peak is located in the center of the island of Hispaniola on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. At 10,417 ft (3,175 m), it is the highest point in the West Indies.

Habanero, The Dominican Republic

Evergreen Ministries ministers to the people in a rural village called Habanero.  Evergreen Ministries built the New Habanero Pre-School and Kindegarten in 2006 and provides financial support for the teaching staff and most of the daily supplies.  (Read more about the school . . . ) Habanero is located about 10 miles outside of Barahona which is located on the south side of the island, approximately 65 miles from the Haitian border on the island of Hispanolia.

Read this article From "Dominican News Today"  (October 30 , 2006) . . . Some 400 Dominican families survive extreme precarious habitats. BARAHONA.- Over-crowded living conditions that are lacking of basic sanitary services for more than 30 years, prevail for some 400 families living in the most deject conditions. In 1968, when the residential project Villa Estela was constructed, residents living within the project limits were relocated to the poverty-ridden sectors known today as Camboya, Castillo and Javib, pending construction of housing facilities for these families. At these three localities, where governments have turned a blind eye, poverty levels are indescribable. Unemployment is at 85 percent. Heads of 6 and 7-member families live off of informal, miscellaneous work. It is not uncommon to see individuals attend to their physiological sanitary and hygiene necessities outdoors, due to the lack of latrines or sufficient and adequate infrastructures. Adding insult to injury are the rats and other insects that share the domain. Multiple diseases affect infants and the elderly as well as adults, in particular skin illnesses. Also abounding are stomach ailments and the common cold. It is a depressing sight to see how dozens of children stroll unclothed around the premises, affected by skin disease, due to deplorable situation of the water supply and to deficient nutritional conditions. Multiple protests and public shows of outcry in favor of these communities have been constant, without avail. Meanwhile, as authorities proclaim Barahona’s development as the country’s fourth tourism pole, inhabitants of this city’s ‘barracones’ keep hopes alive that, some day, they will be able to abide in more human conditions, and that they will also be able to enjoy in some fashion the country’s development.