Esperanza International - USA

The mission of Esperanza International is to free children and their families from poverty through initiatives that generate income, education and health, restoring self-worth and dignity to those who have lost hope.

What's Happening at Esperanza...

Prayers for our Haitian Neighbors

Photo by Lisandro Suero, www.chicagotribune.com

On Tuesday 12, at approximately 5:53 PM, Haiti experienced the shock of a 7.0 eartquake. While some tremors were felt here in Santo Domingo, there are no serious reported damages or injuries in the Dominican Republic. Esperanza has worked for 5 years in the north of the country in Tru-du Nord, Haiti. We have been able to confirm with our office there that our associates and employees have been spared from any harm.

As there are few lines of communication to Haiti at this moment, we ask for continued prayers for the families of our Esperanza employees living in Port-au-Prince and for all Haitians affected by the earthquake. We are working with churches and other partner organizations in Haiti as we coordinate immediate relief response.

As an immediate necessity, we would request from our partners abroad, gifts in cash, which will help expedite the arrival of relief to the region. A $40 donation to Esperanza´s Disaster Relief initiatives will provide a family with the basic necessities (food, bottled water, healthcare kits etc.) for ten days.

USAID, NY Mets and Esperanza

PHOTO: International Operations Representative of the Mets, Rafael Perez.

On October 15th, 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the New York Mets announced a donation of DOP$ 1.5 million for the Esperanza y vida Project in San Pedro de Macoris.

This grant will directly benefit more than 100 families affected by HIV/AIDS, thanks to microenterprise and healthcare development initiatives coordinated by Esperanza International and the Esperanza y Caridad clinic in San Pedro de Macoris. The event was headed by the Interim Director of USAID, James Watson; and the International Operations Representative of the Mets, Rafael Perez.

The resources were channeled through the Major League Baseball – Dominican Development Alliance (MLB-DDA), directly to Esperanza International.

Gautier Youth Joins Mets

PHOTO: Randolph Santana was recently signed to play for the Mets organization.

One year ago, the New York Mets and Esperanza International teamed up to provide sports equipment to the children and adolescents of the town of Gautier. One of the beneficiaries of this donation was Randolph Santana, an 18-year-old baseball player born in La Romana province, but who has spent his adolescence living and playing baseball in Gautier.

Recently, Randolph was signed by the NY Mets scout Franklin Taveras to play baseball for the Mets organization. In addition to the pride of being recognized as an excellent baseball player, this contract comes with a signing bonus of $35,000. Clearly, attaining a coveted professional baseball contract is a prized accomplishment for any young man.