History: Christopher Columbus explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.
Population: 10,790,744 (2023 est.)
Language: Spanish
Government: Presidential Republic
Capital City: Santo Domingo
Agricultural Products: Sugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts
Industries: Tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices
Religions: 44.3% Roman Catholic, 13% Evangelical, 7.9% Protestant, 1.4% Adventist, 1.8% Other, 29.4% None
Our Ministry Partner: CECCAI-Centro Cristiano de Capacitación y Ayuda Infantil (Christian Center of Formation and Children’s Help) is our ministry partner in the Domican Republic. CECCAI was founded by Pastor Kendar Robles and his wife Hozanna through Iglesia Bautista Getsemani (Gethsemane Baptist Church). Their mission is to bring hope to this desperate community through the good news of the gospel and transform the poverty mindset.
They currently serve in the community of Los Tres Brazos, specifically the area of the Basurero (Trash Dump). This is a community steeped in poverty. Currently, families are living on top of the trash, using decomposing trash to even the land and provide a piece of “land” that is free. The estimated median income in the community (not statistical but estimated) is between $40 and $50 a month, with many living below that level and very few with any consistent form of income.
Strengthening a Long-Term Partnership in the Dominican Republic We recently had the privilege of welcoming Pastor Kendar and his wife, Hozanna, our ministry partners from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Their visit gave our Man Up staff the opportunity to hear firsthand about the work God is doing through their school and ministry and to be encouraged by their vision for the future. Pastor Kendar also met with a special group of men who heard their story and generously donated to their ministry. These conversations are an important part of strengthening the long-term partnership we share and expanding awareness of the needs and opportunities in Santo Domingo. Over the next 10 days, Pastor Kendar and Hozanna will continue visiting churches and ministry supporters, sharing about their school and the impact it is having in their community. We are grateful for the opportunity to come alongside them and for the faithful support of those who have invested in this ministry over the years. God is at ork in and through the ministry of CECCAI and we are grateful to be a part of it. We look forward to seeing how He continues to use this partnership to reach men, families, and communities in Santo Domingo.
An eager group of 8th graders from Ignite Academy set out on a short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic to meet our ministry partners, Pastor Kendar and his wife Hozanna. The kids were stepping into a new culture with open hearts and a willingness to serve guided by leaders, who share their own stories of faith and purpose. The students quickly found themselves immersed in meaningful connection and joyful service. They spent two mornings serving at CECCAI. Playing with the students, singing songs, dancing—an unmistakable sense of love all around. Despite language differences, joy became a common language, and bonds formed quickly between the students and the children they served. Day 1 they heard testimony from Hozanna, who shared about the school and the very real struggles they face—both financially and personally. It was a powerful moment, witnessing her deep desire to serve her community despite the challenges. Her honesty and faith left a lasting impression on everyone. The following afternoon, they heard from Pastor Kendar, whose personal testimony was equally impactful. He spoke openly about his past as a troubled kid, someone who once brought fear to his community. Now, he serves as a pastor, pouring into the lives of kids just like he used to be. His story of transformation and redemption are nothing short of a miracle as he now serves as the “Patros” in a community like the one he once terrorized. Pastor Kendar then took the team to a nearby neighborhood marked by extreme poverty. As they walked the streets, they prayed over people whenever the opportunity arose, offering encouragement and hope in meaningful ways. They also got to experience a “sky ride”, part of the public transit system, that gave a bird’s-eye view of the same community—a striking contrast that helped give a unique picture of the complexity of life there.
The ground has been broken and the new construction has begun! Last month the first bricks were laid for the classroom expansion at CECCAI. This project marks a very important step in continuing to offer a safer, more comfortable, and opportunity-filled educational space for the children at CECCAI. Pastor Kendar and his wife Hozanna have committed their lives to seeing this community transformed and they are doing it through love and education. Some of our staff visited CECCAI recently to see all that God is doing in and through this ministry. They are so very grateful for every donation, prayer, gesture, and word of encouragement and it is an honor to partner with them in the fight for the fatherless!