AllNationsInternational Blog

Kerry Norton – April Trip to the Dominican Republic

April 15, 2009 on 11:06 am | In Uncategorized | No Comments

Upon arriving in the Dominican Republic I was met by Ronald Rogers of All Nations International and we began our scenic drive through Cordillera Central, the central mountains stretching from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata. I had met 2 of the 4 co-founders of All Nations International, Ronald Rogers and Abdul Khalid, a few months ago to talk about assisting with future project work in the DR, but hadn’t grasped the actual urgency of need in the vulnerable areas surrounding Puerto Plata until I made it down to this spectacular part of the island for a first hand look. Before arriving for this fact finding mission, I expected to meet missionaries, local community leaders, and mingle with the locals, but I never expected that I would meet some of the most sincere and impassioned people doing such meaningful and productive work for the impoverished.

As Vice Consul at the British Consulate General in Atlanta, my role covers a wide range of project work varying from planning and organizing ministerial visits, scientific workshops that highlight the advancements in the latest technologies and therapies, to working with climate change experts and local government officials in ongoing efforts to enact much needed legislature on big issues like air pollution and energy efficiency. Even with all the experience I have with trying to tackle these global issues, I certainly wasn’t prepared for the reality of what I would be faced with on this most enlightening journey into one of the Dominican Republic’s poorest areas, Aguas Negras.

Winding through the mountains, Ronald and I traveled across town to meet local transplanted Minnesotan, Liz McKie of Dove Missions, at her house. We then ventured through the city of Puerto Plata to our destination, Aguas Negras. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, we quickly got to know each other. Liz McKie, a resident missionary in the area, literally does the work of about 5 people at shocking speed. Within the span of a few years, Liz has worked with community leaders and other ministries/foundations to establish valuable programs for families to better themselves; an undeniably valiant effort, not only benefiting the present day needs of the community, but inevitably setting up the future generations for success. Sponsoring families in the community involves the parent/s and kids working together, and the wider community working as a team. Setting a positive example in one family quickly spreads awareness, and plants the seeds for success within the community. Liz hopes this effort leads to a domino effect within the community, but has had to start small with the limited funding that is available.

At first glance, the community of Aquas Negras appears trash infested and dirty. The need for a beach/river bank clean up is most urgent, not mentioning the toxic waste that lurks just underneath the mounds of garbage. The kids were actually spreading this toxic waste over themselves, not realizing the potential for danger. Kids will be kids, but trying to convince them that the mud they are wiping on their little bodies could harm them is fruitless. With great spirit, each little one was vying for our attention, especially targeting their water-aerobics towards Liz, the reliable ambassador for their community. While we were checking up on the local sponsored families it was apparent that Liz, an ever-present fixture within the community, had touched the lives of so many kids, and they certainly relished her attention. We had been quickly surrounded by a mass of smiling faces.

As Liz, Ronald and I walked through the community, we made our way through to the vocational school where Dove Missions has been sponsoring the local kids. The boys club members had at this point been following us around for the better part of the day as Liz showed us the latest progress of her tremendous efforts in the community. So much work had been done, single handedly and with little funding, but there is a lot more that could potentially be supported. Expanding the boys club and girls sewing club could potentially enable support for more students, thereby getting more kids out of elicit behaviors, which I learned usually involved illegal prostitution/pedophilia rings and elicit drug use, including huffing, some suffering permanent vocal cord damage.

It became clear to me after our 3 day journey with Liz that All Nations International and Dove Missions can work together to tackle some of these bigger issues and somehow continue to touch these people’s lives in positive ways. The vocational school for at risk youth, the boys club and the family sponsorships are three main ways we aim to create a positive influence within the community, and build upon the previous successes of Liz’s work.

Kerry Norton
Vice Consul
Science and Innovation
British Consulate-General
Atlanta, GA