Madres de Galeras
Helping women build a real home
What we do
Basic needs - swap a wooden shack for a brick house
We are helping women to build their very own homes of cement blocks, which is a great improvement to the quality of their lives and often drives the whole family to achieve higher goals, better education and an overall improved standard of living.
Traditional shacks, build out of wood or corrugated sheet metal, are damp ridden and easily blown away with the high winds of the annual tropical storms. This has caused many women to lose their hard earned personal possessions year after year.
The criteria for our help is making certain the women involved can obtain clear ownership of the land. Often the case here is the squatter who builds is left with nothing after the true owner returns to claim the new house. Or the land buyer has to pay more than once for the land, this reflects the scarce legal security and enhances the need of the women having the clear ownership of the land they claim.
The Foundation Niños de Las Galeras has so far managed to help build 5 small houses, which have had an enormous impact on the families involved.
Johanna
Johanna is a single mother. Her husband has left her and her son for another woman, which happens quite frequently here. Her two little nieces also live with Johanna. Their mother abandoned them and never came back. We have helped her claim her land and financed the building. She is working, her children are now in school.
Johanna´s Shack
Johanna and her family used to live in this shack, made of wood and corrugated metal sheets. The kitchen was outside.
Johanna´s house
Johanna´s house was built by herself and her son. It contains three bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom is made out of concrete bricks. It gives the family security and stability – a home. They have been living here since 7 years
Mari
Mari is has two daughters. Her husband has abandoned the family for another woman. We have helped her obtain the land she wants to create her home on and help financing the bricks for her house. Mari has a stable job and is now very independent. Yet her income is very low, she has to support her family. Both daughters followed studies at school and at university in Santo Domingo.
Mari´s Shack
Mari and her father live in this small wooden shack. The roof is made of corrugated metal sheets.
Mari´s house
Here you see the new construction of Mari´s house, but it is not yet finished. The two-bedroom house is made out of concrete brick. Mari will be living here with her family.
Want to make a difference?
Help us raise money for our humanitarian causes
Together we have the opportunity to help many children in need.
Every donation, no matter how small, is invaluable and will enable us to continue our commitment and passion of the projects which we have started in Las Galeras.
How can you help us?
You can contribute with a monthly sponsorship of a child, a general donation of an amount convenient for you, or choose a specific area of interest within our projects that your donations should go to.
Donations can be made through PayPal, Credit Cards or via bank transfer.