Batey Rehab Project - República Dominicana

     From today's class discussion, it reminded me of my two trips to the Dominican Republic with the Batey Rehab Project, LLC based in Orlando, Florida and founded by SCAD Architecture Alumna Katie Godkin Morales and her husband, Jonathan who she met from for time in the Dominican. I joined Katie and BRP on two mission trips, one in the Fall of 2013 and the other in the Summer of 2014. 

Batey Altagracia, Barahona, Dominican Republic, 2014

"BRP  is a non-profit organization bringing modular housing solutions and fair trade opportunities to impoverished Batey communities within the Dominican Republic; creating a sustainable future for families living within poverty."

Batey Altagracia, Barahona, Dominican Republic, 2014

When I was working with BRP, they just began to build their "blue modular homes" in the Summer 2014 trip. Before that they were more so focused on forming relationships and helping with emergency relief efforts. The majority of the work was repairing roofs, pouring concrete floors, and painting exteriors. They sold jewelry made from a local stone called larimar and rely on donations to fund these projects. They focus on partnerships by employing locals within the Bateyes themselves for construction and local Dominicans in the Barahona area as translators for either Spanish or Haitian to English. They also focus on sustainability in the sense that they use local building materials and even some traditional building methods. It is important to understand that we were not using power tools and we 100% worked along side the locals. In the mornings, we would get the materials and all day from sunrise to sunset we built, and in between times were for engaging with the community and mostly the kids. There were so many kids there. 

Batey Altagracia, Barahona, Dominican Republic, 2014

The Bateyes were formed over 80 years ago of Haitian workers who worked mainly in the duties of the sugar fields as well as within the sugar factories. Today the Bateyes have become large communities of Dominicans and Haitians, which have slowly merged into the Dominican society.

My biggest criticism for this organization is that they are not really pushing the boundaries. Their designs are not ambitious or creative in any sense.

Check out their website at www.thebrp.org.

The most important thing I took from this experience at the time was to appreciate the people around you and always remember to ...

Baila con los niños!

Batey Altagracia, Barahona, Dominican Republic, 2014