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Caraballo Caraballo Caraballo is a remote town in the

heart of the sugar cane fields on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

It was built decades ago to house Dominican and Haitian

cane workers and their families.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope

In recent years, however, the sugar industry has faltered. There has been no harvest for 3 years, which means no steady employment for the hundreds of families that call Caraballo their home.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: HopeAs food prices continue to rise and the whole world struggles in the current economic crisis, the poverty

of Caraballo has become dire.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: HopeToday, the women of Caraballo are banding together to make

their own solutions to this increasingly desperate problem.

They call themselves Esperanza-- Hope.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope

They are working together, sharing their skills and limited resources to make and sell the products you see here today.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: HopeThe women of Caraballo are also supported by the

DREAM Project.

DREAM has provided the resources to get the project going, as well as start up costs, capacity building, and organizational

support.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope

DREAM is also a major client of Esperanza. The support goes full

circle…Making beads from magazine clippings

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope…DREAM is supporting the women of Caraballo by purchasing and

bringing these goods to you, while every purchase you make supports DREAM…

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope…and DREAM continues to support their ongoing projects in

Caraballo,

including the Montessori pre-school, local youth group, and Esperanza.

Esperanza: HopeEsperanza: Hope

Now, the women of Esperanza can use the craft industry to support themselves!