Introduction

Hello fellow readers,

Welcome to my page!

Last summer I had the privilege of participating in a study tour led by the Canadian Jesuits International (CJI). Along with a group of 12 amazing Canadians coming from all across the country, I went to Dajabón in the Domincan Republic and Ouanaminthe in Haiti to learn more about social justice and international solidarity in this region.

Our group with Father Mario Serrano Marte and Robinson our Guide and Driver
                       

The Canadian Jesuit International (CJI) is an international non-governmental organization, based in Toronto, which works with Jesuits and other partners in countries of the Global South to support poor and marginalized communities in their struggle for justice and dignity.

Our tour was led by two members of the CJI staff and their dedicated local partner, Father Mario Serrano Marte, who is the National Director of the Society of Jesus’s Social Sector and the Director of Centro Montalvo, in the Dominican Republic.As a social justice advocate, Father Mario wanted us to witness the social justice reality in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and to show us the work of the jesuits in supporting Haitian migrant workers and abandoned street children from Haiti.


Father Mario Serrano Marte
                                                 

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The social justice reality in the Dominican Republic and Haiti

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Migration issues at the Haitian-Dominican border Challenges surrounding migration at the Haitian-Dominican border was one of the main topics that stood out during this study tour. Due to lack of opportunities in their countries, a lot of Haitians migrate to the Dominican Republic in hopes of finding jobs in order to support their families. During our visit to Centro Montalvo in Dajabón, we had the opportunity to sit with Gustavo. He is the Centre’s Coordinator as well as its National Director for Migration. Centro Montalvo’s mission is to address human rights violations that migrant Haitian workers face when they cross the border to the Dominican Republic. According to the Centre’s employees, who actively work on the field, Haitian migrants (including children) are oftentimes victims of sexual abuse at the border, are victims of violence from the military police at the border, are highly vulnerable to human trafficking and are exploited by their employers. To address and...
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The work of the Jesuits in the Dominican Republic and Haiti

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How can we help?

There are a few things that I’ve been working on myself and that we could all do to help advance the cause of migrant rights and to help protect our environment from the detrimental effects of mining operations: 1. Write to your local MP to voice your concern about the mining activities in developing countries. 2. Join Mining Watch Canada (or any of its international partners) to help shed light on the issue if mining in developing countries and raise awareness in the community. 3. Donate to the Fe y Alegria/Foi et Joie schools. 4. Volunteer with Fe y Alegria/Foi et Joie schools, if they are present in your respective countries. 5. Volunteer or donate to Hogar de Cristo in Dajabón, to help Father Mario Serrano Marte from Centro Montalvo provide food and shelter to street kids. For more information, please contact me or the Canadian Jesuits International. This immersion experience was short but it was rich and eye opening! I have learned a lot about t...
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