PHOTO:(From left to right) Norberto Eusebio, Puerto Plata Branch Manager; Jennifer Hovee, Intern at Esperanza.

I recently finished a 5-month internship with Esperanza living in the Puerto Plata area of the Dominican Republic. While I did a variety of different things throughout my time there, by far the most impacting was the time I spent with our new program Una Vida con Propósito or A Life with Purpose. In April, Esperanza began developing a new program to address the huge issue of prostitution that affects women and children all over the country. After months of planning, brainstorming, and praying we came up with a 40-day program that would include spiritual, vocational, micro-credit, and health aspects… something that would address every area of a persons life.

The first 3 months I spent in the DR, I had no idea that most of the shoe-shine boys I saw on the streets were actually prostitutes or that the women hanging out on the beaches were really working for money.

PHOTO: (From left to right) Esperanza staff member; Travis Vaughan, Intern at Esperanza; Esperanza staff member.

My three months spent as an intern for Esperanza International in the Dominican Republic were incredible. As I prepare to leave this place, I am both excited to see friends, family, and return to the fast paced lifestyle that I love, but so sad to be leaving many wonderful people and friendships formed over the last several months. Microfinance had always been something that I read about and learned about from afar, but this summer I had the opportunity to see it first hand.

My time here allowed me to spend many hours in small communities speaking with young women about their dreams for the future and their hopes for their families. I got to ask tough questions, teach, but mostly listen and learn from the clients and loan officers. I got to see some of the shortcomings of microfinance and the struggles of an NPO, but mostly see the incredible way that peoples lives are being touched by a unique network of Christ-lovers that are working to serve the marginalized and oppressed as we are all called to do.

Sedar Dunn Testimony

My experience interning with Esperanza International in the Dominican Republic was one that I won’t be able to forget. I had an enlightening opportunity to not only see the fruits of microfinance at the roots of the institution, but to work alongside loan officers in carrying out the life changing work of Esperanza. For the duration of my internship, I was part of the office in Samaná and was able to hear many inspiring stories from the associates of the area about how Esperanza had impacted their lives.

Some were receiving loans for the first time while others had been blessed to see their businesses flourish and their quality of life improve with the help of the loans and social services the institution provides. I would recommend this internship opportunity to anyone remotely interested in this type of work as I feel it opened my eyes wider to the see the impact a micro-credit institution has on a community. Esperanza International gives its associates the most powerful tool for change, hope.

PHOTO: (From left to right) Rebeca Martinez, Esperanza staff member; Benjamin Swann, Intern at Esperanza; Esperanza associates.

My stay in the Dominican Republic with Esperanza Internacional was amazing. Professionally, I was able to learn how the microfinance process works from the loan officers themselves, and see how it is changing lives through the testimonies of associates I interviewed. The staff was great and willing to help me with anything I needed in the workplace or even when we were not working. The knowledge I gained, the testimonies I heard, and the friendships I developed all added up to my internship with Esperanza being a wonderful experience.