Villa Ascension
Boasting large, green fields, brightly painted walls, and a large central green area where banana plants and other fruits and vegetables surround the gazebo that sits in the center of town, Villa Ascension is a vibrant and tranquil community. Located half way between Sosua and Puerto Plata, in the municipality of Montellano, the village was built in an area called Caraballo, where hundreds of families lived in shacks in deplorable conditions. 263 families from amongst the poorest in the Province of Puerto Plata have received a new home to date.
In one building some of the women are busy making crafts for sale at the market while others are intent on the mothering and nutrition course they are taking. Just a few steps down the road at the business centre, local vendors, trades- men, and craftsmen sell their wares or talents. It began as a microfinance enterprise, but the entrepreneurs now work independently, offering services such as small engine repair, bicycle repair, and original artwork, to name a few. An audio-visual library and a computer training facility offer further educational opportunities for adults. The Samaritan Foundation built a woodworking shop here, not only to train local people with a trade, but also to manufacture the growing numbers of windows, doors and other building components that were needed for their projects.
Water is pumped two miles from the Puerto Plata Aqueducts into two 20,000-gallon reservoirs and distributed to the villagers. The village has a first rate school that is sponsored and operated by Kids Alive. They provide education to hundreds of children in the surrounding area. This community has a local Church that is located close to the local shops (started as microenterprise), a souvenir and craft centre. The service centre has a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, and a dental clinic on the way. This centre also provides accommodations for visiting volunteers. The children enjoy the basketball court and play soccer most days after school.