Fundación
Tropicalia
IN 2022, FUNDACIÓN TROPICALIA IMPACTED 2,349 PEOPLE, OF WHICH 69.5% ARE WOMEN AND GIRLS, THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIVE (5) PROGRAMS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MICHES.
Fundación Tropicalia is a non-profit organization founded by Tropicalia in 2008, that designs and implements community development programs that support sustainable tourism development via economic diversification, environmental protection, cultural identity and improved education in the town of Miches.
EDUCATION
- Educational Excellence Project: The Educational Excellence Project is implemented in partnership with EDUCA, a business association that vies for improving the quality of public school education in the Dominican Republic. The Project consists of improving the reading and mathematics skills of students in the first cycle of primary school. In 2022, work was carried out in four education centers in Miches: Lucas Guibbes, La Mina, El Cedro and Padre Daniel School. Based on the analysis of the results of the diagnostic test conducted at the beginning of the program and the final test at the end of the program, children’s learning levels have improved as a result of their participation.
- Scholarship and Cultural Exchange Program: Since 2011, Fundación Tropicalia coordinates a Scholarship and a Cultural Exchange Program in partnership with the Instituto Superior de Agricultura (Universidad ISA), which specializes in agricultural sciences and is located in Santiago de los Caballeros. The program offers young, promising Michenses and Seibanos an opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree that corresponds to anticipated labor demand in Miches, including engineering degrees in agronomy, animal husbandry and food technology, education specialized in natural sciences, and business administration. All scholarship students benefit from financial, work- study, cultural and/or professional support services, as well as exchange opportunities, on-campus counseling, and parent meetings. The scholarship students have a 76% job placement rate, and roughly 50% return to the eastern region of the country, including Miches. 37 students were awarded scholarships since 2011 (23 men – 14 women)
Response to Hurricane Fiona
- We organized collections of clothing, food and personal hygiene supplies in Punta Cana, Bávaro and Santo Domingo, to support four communities affected by Hurricane Fiona. We invited Tropicalia’s partner companies to make donations to Fundación Tropicalia’s School Repair fund targeted at the most affected schools. The fund grew to RD$1,612,460 thanks to the contribution of 17 corporate partners. To execute the funds, we worked closely with the Miches School District 12-04 to assess the needs of each school center. In total 13 schools and two pre-schools benefited from this effort.
PRODUCTIVITY
- Miches Emprende: Our rotational fund Miches Emprende continues to operate and provide an ongoing source of financing for small business owners in Miches. Since the start of the program in 2016 through 2022, 35 loans have been granted for an amount of RD$5,415,000.00, equivalent to US$ 98,275. As of December 31, 2022, the capitalized amount is RD$ 645,328.80, for a total fund available for loans of RD$ 2,398,078.80. The current portfolio consists of nine loans (mostly recurring clients who refinance), for an amount of RD$ 1,290,442. These loans made it possible to create and strengthen some 105 direct jobs and indirectly benefited 525 people. As of December 31, 2022, the arrears on this project are 0.00%.
SOCIOCULTURAL ADVOCACY
- Cultural Identity: Fundación Tropicalia works to preserve and enhance the cultural heritage of the region, by supporting various activities in partnership with the local government and community leaders. Some of the activities carried out in 2022 were as follows: Support for the celebration of Children’s Day for La Mina Elementary School, Rosa Ubiera School and La Gina High School; Collaboration with Carnaval Miches 2022, to purchase carpentry materials for the Carnival Queen Pageant; Collaboration with Fiestas Patronales of the Municipality of Miches, to purchase food.
- Soy niña, soy importante: Is a multipronged program that supports girls from 9 to 15 years old to protect their childhood, guide them in making timely life choices, and educate them and their community regarding their rights. The efforts of this initiative focus on the community of Miches and include a summer camp, an at-home program, teen empowerment, and activism, which consists of communication campaigns and civic participation. In 2022, it celebrates its tenth anniversary, bringing messages of love, support, protection and life planning to more than 1,250 girls and adolescents in Miches.
