In late July, Westminster Presbyterian Church traveled to the Dominican Republic with Comunidad Connect to work with families throughout the week constructing bathrooms and improving household accessibility. See below for a photo diary of their experience with photos by Scott Neely.
Constanza is a beautiful mountain town in the highlands of Hispaniola Island and served as the group’s homebase.
Led by CEO, Jon Thompson, they trekked high into the DR’s central mountains where they were hosted by our partners, Puente Desarrollo Internacional. Here the group reconnects with folks from their 2022 trip like Ana, who cares for her elderly mother in a small house the Westminster group added a bathroom to last year.
The Westminster group built a bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet beside Francisca’s bedroom. She is in her 70’s and is recovering from multiple strokes in a one room abode. Recommendations from a previous occupational therapy group from Georgia State University made it easier for her to move around, use the bathroom, and complete household tasks.
Francisca was one of many in and around the city of Constanza that the group worked with during a busy week.
They also finished a bathroom and installed a reserve water tank for Raquel, a polio survivor.
Here some local volunteers help gather materials to renovate a bathroom and improve accessibility and safety for Regino and his wife, an elderly couple living on the outskirts of Constanza.
Westminster improved a sidewalk beside Pablo’s home so he also could visit with neighbors safely. A stroke in the past left Pablo partially paralyzed.
In the final days during the group’s reflection, Scott Neely commented, “What we’re centered on is relationship building. It wasn’t just the cement.”
Westminster Presbyterian Church has partnered with Comunidad Connect in both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic since 2017.
Raquel, polio survivor.