Ezequiel Development Program
This Development Program aims to improve the well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable, using an approach that is long term (15-20 years), holistic, focused on children, and seeks to enable their families, local communities and partners to address the underlying causes of poverty. These root causes are not just lack of access to the basic necessities of life like water, food or health care, but also include inequities like gender or ethnic discrimination, or abusive practices like exploitation or domestic violence that affect a child’s well-being.
More than 260 parents and young adults started small businesses with our help, enabling them to earn a living through sewing, farming, or raising livestock. We organized 193 business training courses for young adults to encourage entrepreneurship and help increase their employment options. 183 people living with HIV or AIDS were able to increase their incomes and improve their diets thanks to our support and that of local partners. 717 malnourished children were identified and assisted through our nutrition monitoring program. Through our health workshops, 1,853 mothers learned how to prevent illness in babies and 845 mothers learned about healthy hygiene practices. As a result of our health campaigns, 1,341 mothers had at least four prenatal checkups, 304 mothers chose to breast-feed their babies to prevent malnutrition, and 1,925 children were fully vaccinated. 1,707 pregnant women were educated on prenatal and postpartum care; 832 of the women received additional counseling and follow-up visits from community health promoters we trained. 362 children with special needs and 194 children with serious medical conditions received medical care with our support. Community members formed health committees to advocate for improved health and child protection services. We helped strengthen the committees by training members in health rights and advocacy. 2,200 youth were trained in values-based life skills and issues related to HIV and AIDS and reproductive health, stressing the importance of abstinence. 318 children applied for birth certificates with our help, making it easier for them to access basic services such as education. So far, 71 of the children have received their documentation and were all enrolled in school and received special monitoring, in coordination with the Ministry of Education. 37 school counselors were trained to resolve conflicts and to identify and assist children with special needs and those at risk of dropping out. We helped counselors coordinate special education services for 123 children. 1,429 children received help with their math and reading skills and enjoyed enrichment activities at our homework rooms and community education spaces. Together with the Ministry of Education, we launched a strategy to make schools healthy, safe, and sustainable. At one school where the strategy was implemented, more than 200 students benefited. 302 children participated in early childhood education activities at preschool centers or at home, facilitated by teachers and mothers we trained. 1,435 children used our Community Technology Centers to take computer classes, get help with their schoolwork, or use the internet for research. 28 youth completed our leadership school, which covers topics such as advocacy, child rights, and community development. They are advocating for improved health, education, and child protection services in their communities. With our help, community members established a municipal board of child rights to identify, refer, and resolve incidents of violence and sexual abuse against children. In addition, we trained 141 community leaders in child rights and advocacy to strengthen local child protection systems.
This Development Program uses an innovative approach to programming. Instead of creating projects around specific sectors, they conduct integrative projects around the ages of the participants. The 0-5 project, for example, includes activities in health and nutrition from pregnancy to age 5, early education, child development, and birth registration.
Most Vulnerable Children, Gender, Protection, Advocacy, HIV&AIDS
- Dominican Republic>Bahoruco
- Economic Recovery and Development