The United Brothers School of Munoz is a school for Haitian immigrants living in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, founded and led by Haitian immigrants, funded and aided by a US organization.
Munoz is a marginalized neighborhood, home to hundreds of Haitian immigrants. Unemployment is very high and education and skill levels are very low among adults. Many Haitian adults do agriculture work, construction work, or street vending. Many of the children are not enrolled in school. Those that are enrolled attend a Dominican public school where their nationality and culture is viewed through a negative lens. Those that are not enrolled work or wander the streets.
The school, which has been running since April 2007, provides employment for 8 educated Haitian immigrants and education for over 80 children and adults. It is working with a system of similar schools to create a special, integrated curriculum.
The school will, and already does, serve as a community center for the community. The skills acquired by students will open doors of opportunity where there were none before and prepare them for a successful life in the Dominican Republic or Haiti.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
