TLDR: Our work in the Dominican Republic turns 11 years old this year. Read below to see how we are celebrating this anniversary.
The joint Saint Mary's, Saint Dunstan's, and Other annual medical mission to the bateys in the sugar cane fields of La Romana, Dominican Republic, has brought hundreds of missionaries to the area in eleven years. It has served thousands of poor Haitians and Dominicans with necessary, life giving, medical care, which is a part of a much larger system of care. We are just one of hundreds of medical teams from churches around the country that provide care in these areas. Our work changes lives for some of the poorest of the poor in Latin America.
The bateys are afflicted by a number of social and economic issues that make this population vulnerable beyond the normal vulnerability of any Dominican. For starters, many of the families who work in the small sugar cane towns are illegal aliens from neighboring Haiti. This lack of a legal status renders these families vulnerable to discrimination, financial exploitation, lack of appropriate education, and some of the lowest healthcare outcomes in the country. Many of these people do not qualify for social services, legal anti-abuse protections, and law enforcement within their camps. As a result, there are high levels of domestic violence, sexual abuse, alcoholism, and child abuse.
Medical care is a low priority need for folks who can barely pay for food and transportation. As a result, these families see a medical provider only in extreme cases, and only when they can pay for the doctor's visit. One of the beauties of our medical mission is that we bring the doctors, nurses, eye care and dental providers to the actual villages. We go to them! We also bring tubs of medicine obtained through a pharmaceutical license to purchase and transport these medicines from the United States to the Dominican Republic.
Saint Dunstan's has been a part of this team through the participation and sponsorship of Dr. Brooks Anderson, your various Rectors, and teams of parishioners who join us every year. We partner with El Buen Samaritano Mission Agency and Hospital, who provide all lodging, meals, transportation, and logistics with the Bateys. It is a safe, fun, highly rewarding mission! I strongly encourage parents to bring their teenage children along. I promise they will never forget this experience.
The 2025 mission will be special in a number of ways. First, we have moved the date to June 7-14 because the area has been a bit busy with missionary teams in late June through August. What this means is that we will be going at a time of high need, giving us more of a chance to minister. Second, we want a slightly larger team of 25, which means that our quota from Saint Dunstan's increases to 10 to 11 members. Third, these dates do not interfere with VBS or youth camps, which means your older teens who come with us will not miss their favorite summer activities.
I hope many of you will sign on. But, here is the catch: since we have moved the date up considerably, we need to get a list of who is attending by no later than February 14. In fact, the earlier the better, since we will have our first team training meeting on Thursday, February 6, at 7:00pm via Zoom.
The total cost (all inclusive) will be at least $1600 dollars per person, and a portion of that will be required fairly soon to lock in air fare group rates. Please send an email early on to and let me know if you are interested. We will respond with the Zoom Codes for the training.
You can also participate in this great mission by making a donation to Saint Dunstan’s World Missions Fund. These donations make it possible for us to offer partial scholarships to some of the attendees. Donations to El Buen Samaritano are also welcome. Write the check to Saint Dunstan’s and let us know you want this money brought to the agency in person.
Please join us in mission! No medical licenses needed, although welcome. There are plenty of roles for everyone, whether you are in the medical field or not. Blessings to all,
Fr. Roman+
