Dominican Republic: Monte Plata (Eva Russell) School

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HOME

LOCATION

Dominican Republic is situated in the Caribbean and shares the island known as Hispaniola with Haiti. Monte Plata is inland, almost in the middle of the country. The climate in Monte Plata is extremely hot all year around. During summer, there is much rain.

HISTORY
Ramón and Juana Prenza were led to the Lord by Eva Russell, a Canadian missionary. She was their inspiration to serve God as missionaries. For about ten years this Christian couple went all over the country, sharing God's gospel. But they also wanted to help people in their own town. They realized that many children wandered the streets, asking for money or food, or fighting with others and getting into trouble. The Prenzas decided to start a regeneration program with this kind of children, so in 1984 they opened a school with about 20 children in a rented house, naming it the Eva Russell School.

The program included daily biblical training, elementary teaching of writing and reading, and two hot meals. The school remained in a rented house for three and a half years. In 1988 an old house was purchased with funds provided by Dominicans and Canadians. Facilities for the school were limited to an old chicken house.

In 1993 the school affiliated with Kids Alive International. In 1996 Kids Alive United Kingdom took a special interest in the school. Property next door was purchased and the first stage of an eight-classroom school building was started. From then on, several Task Force Teams from England, led by Emerson Cook from the States, came to complete the building by stages. Since then, land behind the original property has been purchased.

In 1998 Hurricane George caused severe damage to the property. The original school, in a converted chicken house nicknamed “the chicken school,” was demolished. The house on the property suffered structural harm. The new school, however, stood firm.

FACILITIES

The school has eight rooms (four downstairs and four up), two bathrooms, and an office.
Another two-story building contains a kitchen and dining room downstairs. Upstairs of the dining room is housing for Service Teams. A dental and medical clinic has recently been finished

PROGRAM

The first goal is still to show Jesus as the only Savior.  The program has not changed from the beginning. The children come Monday through Friday for breakfast, school in the morning, and a hot lunch. School grades are now from one to eight. Older children who have moved on to higher grades in the public school are still included in the program. The children receive additional benefits, such as contributions of clothing and other items for their families.

FUTURE

A computer center will be put to work soon. People from the States and England donated the computers.

Property has been purchased and a Children’s Home will be established for children who need a good place to live.