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Project Mañana International
Issue 5, Vol. 1
 Serving In The Dominican Republic 
July/August 2014
News From Project Mañana!
Extreme Home Makeover: Dominican Edition
Imagine what happens when "ordinary" people come together to do something "extra-ordinary." That's exactly what happened last week when a team of 25 American volunteers traveled to the Dominican Republic to build a HOME (not just a house) for the Rodriguez family.

Camilo and his wife Antonia Rodriguez, and their 8 children, had their lives changed forever last Saturday (August 9, 2014) when they were handed the keys to their brand new home.

Working six days per week in a factory making jeans, Camilo does everything he can to support his family of 10 people. Unfortunately, on the minimal salary of around $150 US per month, it's just not enough.

A few years ago, the local church came together to lend the Rodriguez family money to purchase a small piece of land near the river in the community of San Pablo (where Project Mañana serves). There, Camilo built a small two-bedroom wooden house. It did not have an indoor bathroom or kitchen. And, with limited space, some of their 8 children were forced to share a bed, while others slept on the concrete floor.

After four days of back-breaking construction last week, the new home was finished. The team replaced the concrete foundation, added a kitchen and indoor bathroom, amplified the bedrooms, built a dining room, and filled the house with furniture and decorations. In addition, the team took on a "special project" to build a bridge over the river in front of the house so the family can safely cross.

As a final surprise, the Rodriguez family was presented with a check for full payment of their outstanding mortgage and beds were donated so that every family member has a comfortable place to sleep!

Giving all the glory to God, we would like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this project possible!

Click Here to See More Pictures of the Makeover on Facebook

Team McSwain
'Team McSwain' from Cincinnati, Ohio
Framing the home
Framing the home addition

Brian Berman
Brian Berman helping to build the bridge

William Gomez
William Gomez removing the old wood

Bridge Team
Bridge building team with Mr. & Mrs. Rodriguez

Students Painting
Students paint the new home

Putting up siding
Students put siding on the new home

Removing the floor
Everyone helps to remove the old floor
Project Mañana's School: Officially Inaugurated!
After learning that there was no school in the community of San Pablo; located in Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic; and that the closest school was a dangerous 30-minute walk on a busy freeway, Project Mañana announced in January 2014 that it would be building the very first school in the community.

Faced with up to three generations of illiteracy and a severe lack of education, many of the nearly 1,000 children living in San Pablo spend their days roaming the streets as -- up until now -- they had little opportunities to go to school.

After six months of hard work and a visit from a volunteer team of 22 people from Cincinnati, Ohio, we are very pleased to announce that Project Mañana's School is ready to open with an initial enrollment of 63 children!

On August 5, 2014, the school's playground was filled with parents, teachers, community leaders, community organizations, a team of 25 American volunteers, and representatives from Project Mañana's board of directors to officially inaugurate the school.

Attendees of the inauguration enjoyed encouraging words and gratitude from several speakers and the school's director, Nebraska Berman, shared the mission, vision, and values. The ceremony was concluded when Kyler Berman (age 3) cut the ribbon -- officially opening the school!

The school has four classrooms, two offices, and a bathroom. It will serve grades Prek-3rd. Each year, as more children become sponsored, we will add more grades and more children!

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who made this dream a reality by donating their time and money! You have truly changed an entire community!

Click Here To See Pictures of the Inauguration on Facebook

School - Front
Front of School
School - Back
Back of School

Daniel McSwain
Daniel McSwain, president of Project Mañana's board of directors, shares his gratitude

Nebraska Berman
Nebraska Berman, School Director, shares the mission, vision, and values of the school

Brian Berman
Brian Berman, president of Project Mañana, shares his gratitude

William Gomez
William Gomez, Project Mañana's Dir. of Ministry, gives a blessing to the school and community

Community President
The president of the community board says 'thank you' to Project Mañana and offers their support

Ribbon Cutting
Kyler Berman (age 3) cuts the ribbon -- officially opening the school!
35 More Clean Water Systems Delivered In San Pablo
Volunteers with water filters
Volunteers ready to distrubute the clean water filtration systems
This week, Project Mañana was blessed to have a volunteer team of 25 people visit the Dominican Republic. The team delivered 35 clean water filters to families in the impoverished community of San Pablo.

Since February 2014, when Project Mañana launched the Clean Water Project, 118 clean water filtration systems have been distributed throughout the community of San Pablo, Dominican Republic. With a lifespan of 10 years, these systems will provide 64.6 MILLION gallons of clean water -- that's 17,700 gallons of clean water EVERY DAY.

Distribution of the clean water systems is only the first step. Providing ongoing training and maintenance is essential to ensuring the systems function properly.

Marilyn Perez, Project Mañana's Clean Water Coordinator, visits each and every home on a regular basis to ensure the system is properly maintained and being used to its fullest potential.

WANT TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER? CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR A WATER FILTER

Decorating the filters
Decorating the clean water filters
Zach
Zach gives this mother a clean water filter

Karen
Karen gives this woman a clean water filter

Jake
Jake gives this couple a clean water filter
100+ Inmates Graduate From The Institute For Authentic Manhood
Graduates
Some graduates with Willam Gomez and Brian Berman
On August 8, 2014, more than 100 inmates gathered in the chapel at Najayo prison, located in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic to receive their certificates for the successful completion of various courses from The Institute for Authentic Manhood.

Focusing on the theme of 'LOVE', William Gomez (Project Mañana's Director of Ministry), addressed the attendees, including: inmates, prison officials, the prison warden, six American delegates, and many of the inmate's family members.

A somber mood filled the room as inmates asked their families for forgiveness and embraced them with hugs and kisses (many for the first time ever).

Project Mañana would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Robert Lewis and Awana Lifeline for their contribution of curriculum and encouragement.

Click Here To See Pictures of the Graduation on Facebook

WANT TO HELP REFORM AN INMATE? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
The AMB3R Project: Phase 1 - COMPLETE!
The Amb3r Project
Learn more at: amb3r.com
In our last newsletter, we announced The AMB3R Project; a strategic partnership with AMB3R, a leading manufacture of custom t-shirts and apparel.

Phase 1 of The AMB3R Project was to raise $5,000 US to purchase a 40' shipping container for secure food and supply storage in San Pablo, Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic.

Today, we are happy to report that Phase 1 is complete and the 40' shipping container has been delivered to the community!

Project Mañana, in partnership with The AMB3R Project, is now launching Phase 2 -- an effort to raise $5,000 US to fill the container with food (rice, beans, canned goods, and other non-perishables), which will be used in our Nutrition Center to feed more than 150 children daily.

The Amb3r Project is designed to create real change through the purchase of custom t-shirts. You can support Project Mañana, through the Amb3r Project, in a variety of ways. Click Here To Learn More.

Shipping Container 1
Shipping container on its trailer
Shipping Container 2
Crane installing the container in San Pablo
Project Mañana Needs Your Help!
Project Mañana is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to sharing the gospel by empowering local churches and individuals to build lasting relationships with impoverished children, their families and communities through nutrition, education, and discipling.

We achieve our goals through charitable donations and child sponsorship, which unites children in need with individual sponsors who wish to address the children's immediate and basic needs. Sponsorship gives poor children the tools and opportunities necessary for success by providing benefits and supporting programs for each child - primarily in the areas of education and nutrition.

YOUR GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. Consult your tax advisor.

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