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Azua, República Dominicana

The Community of St Paul carries out its work from the Parish of La Sagrada Familia in Sabana Yegua (Azua), from where it addresses the pastoral needs of the local community and carries out various social and development projects.

ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Christian life is fostered through the regular celebration of the sacraments in the nineteen villages and communities that make up the parish. The parish also organises catechesis, Christian education for adults, Bible study groups, liturgy workshops and the coordination of the parish’s Community Councils.

HEALTH PROGRAMME

The La Sagrada Familia Health Centre offers services in general practice, dentistry, gynaecology and obstetrics, internal medicine, paediatrics, psychology, ophthalmology, diabetes care, dermatology and ultrasound scans. It also provides physiotherapy, a clinical laboratory and a pharmacy. The centre aims to provide local, high-quality and accessible healthcare services for the whole population.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE PROGRAMME

We run three childcare centres serving a total of 150 children. These are the San Agustín Centre in Sabana Yegua, the Divina Misericordia Centre in Alto del Ganadero and the Virgen del Carmen Centre in Los Negros. Children aged between two and five attend the centres, where they are provided with breakfast and lunch, education and medical care. Educational talks are regularly held for parents.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES

We have a university scholarship programme in place to help young people from across the parish who come from families without the financial means to attend university. More than 100 university students benefit from this programme each year.

RECYCLING

The Reciclaplus plastic recycling programme was set up by young people and women in partnership with the CSP in Sabana Yegua. It comprises an educational component, which takes place in schools, and a door-to-door plastic collection scheme. With the support of the local council and other organisations, the programme has been strengthened in Sabana Yegua. The plastic is currently being recycled to give it a new lease of life and prevent it from ending up as litter in the environment.

OTHER PROJECTS

From building chapels to improving or constructing homes, building latrines where necessary, and developing water projects to supply households or for agriculture, the Community of San Pablo is always attuned to the needs and challenges faced by villages and communities, and offers its support and resources so that various initiatives can be carried out for the benefit of the population.

PRISON MINISTRY AT THE KM 15 PRISON

The parish provides regular pastoral care at the Km 15 Public Prison in Azua, a prison housing 600 inmates located within the parish boundaries. The presence of the parish team, regular Masses, as well as retreats and other activities, support the inmates and foster their life of faith.

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

Social support is provided to the San José Care Home for the Elderly, offering medical and food assistance to 100 vulnerable elderly people, as well as to the migrant population, mainly from Haiti, who are in need of social and economic support.

ALTOS DE LA CAOBITA

In the community of Barrera, we launched an eco-hotel to promote sustainable tourism and create direct and indirect jobs within the community. The eco-hotel plays a significant role in training the community, and the benefits are channelled into social projects in the area.