Home for 200 children
Vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic receive health care, an education, and professional development from NPH, with support from people like you.
Purposefully designed to resemble a small town in the Dominican Republic, Casa Santa Ana is situated in the middle of 2 extremes; poor migrant sugar cane farmer settlements (bateys) and professional US baseball leagues. The backdrop of the bateys has enabled our family to truly serve the most vulnerable population, undocumented Haitian workers and their families who are smuggled through the border. Beginning in January 2003, the centre began with 7 children in a rented house in the town of San Pedro de Macoris. Today there are now over 200 children living in 12 family-style homes on our own property.
A site for work, rest and play since 2005
Through a benefactor, a large plot of land was purchased and construction began on the NPH village of Casa Santa Ana. In September 2005, the family moved into their new home. Thanks to the help and support of dedicated local construction workers, volunteers and staff from all our fundraising countries, and to both national and international donations, construction has continued over the years. The facilities consist of 2 school buildings, a volunteer and visitor house, multi-purpose auditorium, administration building, chapel, central kitchen, clinic, 2 smaller visitor houses and 4 houses for staff. The property also includes various agricultural areas, farm land, greenhouse, playgrounds, gardens, basketball court and our own baseball and soccer fields.
Children with special needs
Also on our property is Casa San Marcos-Marco Simoncelli, our special needs facility. It was designed to fit the needs of all our children, especially those in wheelchairs. It has multiple therapy rooms, including a therapy pool. The facility can house up to 20 children and their caregivers, giving us the chance to help more children with special needs.
Care for Haitian children with cancer
Casa Santa Maria, also referred to as the “Haiti House,” is a community service programme at our centre in the Dominican Republic for children from Haiti with cancer. These children are referred to the programme from the NPH Haiti St. Damien Pediatric Hospital. The children and their parent or guardian can stay in the NPH centre in the DR while receiving radiation therapy in the capital, Santo Domingo.
Organic food produced by entrepreneurial youths
With the use of our greenhouse and other farmland, we are able to produce organic vegetables to feed our children. Many youths participate in the planting and cultivation of the crops and are excited to see how their hard work produce various vegetables and plants. Furthermore, our new residential house is almost entirely powered by solar panels; this is possible due to a donation by local utility company CESPM.
The team
NPH Dominican Republic is led by Kieran Rigney and his wife, along with over 90 dedicated staff.
