Where we work
Media Gallery
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img01.jpgEsperanza works mostly in rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Most of the poorest communities can be found here. This photo is taken in a batey, a rural sugarcane-based community whose name is synonymous with poverty. Here, the children of Esperanza associates greet loan officers as they arrive in a rural batey. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img02.jpgDuring the bi-weekly Bank of Esperanza loan repayment meetings, it is common to see curious children peering through fences and windows. Not only does the loan repayment process empower the borrowers, but it also teaches future generations what commitment and hard work look like. Are these children future Esperanza entrepreneurs? Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img03.jpgEsperanza’s commitment to its borrowers goes beyond the individual and spreads to the entire family. We are dedicated to the health and education of the children of our associates, offering literacy training and healthcare to our associates and their families. These children will have a better future because of Esperanza’s commitment to families. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img04.jpgThe home seen in this photo is typical of a small, rural batey in and around our offices in San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana. Homes in the Dominican Republic are usually made with this type of wood paneling. As individuals obtain increased income, they will construct rooms of concrete blocks which offer more protection from nature and intruders. In this photo, the associate has a cement floor, a vital improvement for the health and well-being of her family. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img05.jpgSchoolchildren often have to travel several miles in order to receive an education. These girls are fortunate to have a school close to home. Education is vital to the development of any country, and Esperanza is dedicated to the continued education of both our associates and their children. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img06.jpgSugarcane is and always has been one of the Dominican Republic’s main exports. Our eastern offices of San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, El Seibo, and Hato Mayor are all located in the heart of sugarcane country. Many Esperanza associates from these offices live in rural bateys, or sugarcane communities, and most have a direct connection to the sugar industry. In this photo, hand-cut sugarcane is loaded to be shipped to a nearby refinery. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img07.jpgDominican children can be extremely creative in order to have fun. Rural children use their limited resources to play and learn at every chance they get. A favorite pastime for children is, of course, baseball. When one needs just a stick and a bottle cap to play the sport that enraptures their nation, a game can start up at any time. These children may have already worn out their energy for the day, and impatiently wait the finish of a Bank of Esperanza repayment meeting. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img08.jpgSugarcane companies wanted to provide their field workers with housing, but after as many as 60 years without repairs most of these barrack-style homes are in disarray. Despite their modest surroundings, these children take joy in the simplicity of having their photo taken. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img09.jpgThe loan officers at Esperanza develop very distinct relationships with the associates in their many Banks of Esperanza. In order to develop trust and expand our work, our loan officers must be friends of those they serve. Here, an Esperanza loan officer embraces one of her many associates before a loan repayment meeting. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img10.jpgThis structure is typical of those found in rural and urban poor communities. Instead of becoming disheartened through their poor surroundings, Dominicans find joy and meaning in friends, family, God, and a pride in their culture. Here, we see a modest church where the community can meet, worship, and build relationships. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img11.jpgThe vibrancy and passion of Dominican culture can easily be seen just by looking at the children. No shoes, no shirt, no matter! Joy is found in smaller places when your resources are limited. These boys patiently pose for a photo as they discuss who will pitch in the next baseball game. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img12.jpgChildren have a constant presence in and around our Bank of Esperanza meetings. Here, three boys proudly display their bike as they wait for their parents to return from a repayment. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img13.jpgThis row of houses has been in place for over half a century without improvements. Typical of a batey, or rural sugarcane-based community, these homes were built by the sugar company to house their workers. This small community outside of Consuelo, part of the San Pedro de Macorís branch office, has over forty Bank of Esperanza members. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img14.jpgFive boys stand outside their homes as they wait for the conclusion of a Bank of Esperanza meeting. As borrowers’ income increases, they often use the additional money to improve their homes. Here, you can see a typical wooden paneling that will someday be replaced with concrete blocks. This will improve the shelter against the hurricanes that batter the island every year. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img15.jpgThe Dominican Republic is a third-world country, but with the life-changing work of Esperanza and other organizations, improvements are slowly being made. Here, you can see two key improvements: electric wires brought in to power homes, providing light in the evening for work and study, and a multiple-story concrete home, a sign of vast economic improvement. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img16.jpgEsperanza is constantly seeking new avenues to reach more borrowers. Here, our presence in northern Haiti is seen as a loan officer based out of our Cap-Haitien office meets with two of his associates. Haiti was devastated by the earthquake of early 2010, but with the work of Esperanza and worldwide support, we hope for the quickest of recoveries. Download
/home/images/stories/usa/gallery/community/img17.jpgA donkey hauls its two passengers as great signs of progress are seen in the background. Electricity is not only being brought to homes, but also being used to light the streets, adding safety and security to this rural community. Download
