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Project List for Teams: CARIBBEAN

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission
Christian Love in Action!

For assistance with any project listed,
contact your Jurisdictional and / or Annual Conference UMVIM Coordinator

Methodist Habitat Priority Project list

• Central Eleuthera - Camp Symonette - Staff Cottage. At the front entrance to the campsite is a two story structure that is used by the caretaker of the camp. The top portion is a two bedroom apartment that is used by our caretaker Mr. Martin Gaitor. The bottom portion has been used for storage. The intent is to convert the bottom area into a living space for interns, staff and other visitors to the campsite. The top portion is also in need of repairs. This will be used for as housing for a fulltime coordinator of Camp Symonette which we are in the process of acquiring.

• North Andros - North Andros. Parsonage repair (drywall, electrical, carpentry).

• South Eleuthera - Tarpum Bay Manse.The Tarpum Bay is ideally located on the Southern end of Eleuthera, thus providing an excellent staging area for Methodist Habitat activities on the Southern End of the island. It is located on the water front in beautiful Tarpum Bay. It has a two bedroom apartment upstairs, with an open meeting are below. There is also an office attached with access to a phone line. There is also a storage are attached to the back ideal for the storage of tools and materials.Tarpum Bay Methodist church has graciously allowed us to partner with them in the restoration and use of their manse. We have agreed to assist with restorations. In return we will be able to use the manse and office facilities for interns, staff, rentals and other activities.

• Central Eleuthera - Gaitor Residence, Camp Symonette.Martin has been living and working with his family at Camp Symonette for the past ten years. Martin has sometimes gone months without salary and has taken a personal interest in the protection of the camp. Martin is a committed employee and a great ambassador for the church and Methodist Habitat. We would like to assist Martin to move into his own home soon. Because the residence will also double as a commercial property, we would like to assist Martin in completing a portion of the unit.

• Abaco -Teams traveling to Abaco can fly directly into Marsh Harbour (MHB). Numerous airlines fly from South Florida into Marsh Harbour.During the summer months, there are opportunities for construction and VBS teams.

• Cat Island - Great Bethel Methodist Church.Carry out repairs to the Manse/Parsonage. There is need for painting, drywall and wood and masonry work.

• Central Eleuthera - Camp Symonette.There is a need for ongoing repairs at the Camp. We are in the process of getting quotes to upgrade electrical and plumbing services, repair water system, replace furnishings and linen, upgrade kitchen facilities and provide a reading room for clients.

• South Eleuthera - Methodist Habitat Administrative Building.A suitable place is being sought to develop a Disaster Response/Mission Centre in South Eleuthera. This center will also serve as the central administrative building for Methodist Habitat. Work is expected to begin in early spring.

• North Eleuthera - Bluff Community and Mission Center.The Bluff community is located on the northern end of Eleuthera. It is a growing community that is in need of more coordinated activities for its youth and young adults. Completion of the Bluff Community and Mission center will enable to church to be a more life changing force in the community. The center is currently has its roof on and will need some masonry and carpentry work to complete.

• Cat Island - Orange Creek Residence.Completion of a home for a senior citizen. This project already has its siding and part of its roof in place. Teams are needed to complete work here.

• Nassau - Coke Memorial Methodist Church.Coke Memorial Methodist Church is situated in an area of Nassau that is economically and socially challenged. However, the church is experiencing tremendous growth under the leadership of its Pastor and lay leaders. They are quickly outgrowing their facilities. This new facility will include a sanctuary for worship, youth meeting rooms and rooms for other social outreach such as soup kitchens, a clothes closet and church office. Because Nassau is a modern city built around tourism there are numerous banks and sightseeing facilities. Team will live in Nassau.

• Central Andros - Camp Makepeace.Andros is the biggest island in the Bahamas. Camp Makepeace is located in Central Andros. The site is a five-acre beach and creek front property that has a church and Mission center already onsite. Work has already begun on the expansion of the site. (There are two fulltime missionaries living at the site).This site will become a retreat and mission centre. It will be the headquarters for Habitat work on Andros. There are dormitory style sleeping quarters here and also kitchen facilities. Teams will live work and swim on site. There is also opportunity to visit blue holes, the batik factory and the barrier reef. Majority of materials will have to be shipped in ahead of time as hardware stores have limited supplies.

• Central Andros - Mastic Point. Completion of the Mission Centre in Mastic Point. This center is a 1500 square feet manse/parsonage that will house mission teams and other church groups. After the site is complete, work teams will begin to work on homes in the surrounding communities of North Andros.

• Disaster Relief Centers -The church is working to establish such centers throughout the islands. Teams are sought for construction and to train disaster volunteers.

All of the BCMC projects are contingent on the support received for them. While the goal is to eradicate substandard housing in the Bahamas, be aware that disasters do arise that call for immediate attention. Until November, you will also have to be cognizant of the fact that this is the active hurricane season.

Members of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church have met with the new Government Minister of Social Services and have expressed confidence that the government is interested in partnering with us, especially in cases of inner city projects and aid to senior citizens. All projects are carried out in consultation with the Department of Social Services.

CUBA

•Repairs to churches - Churches and parsonages throughout the island request teams for construction and repairs. Because of Cuba's special circumstances, only deeply committed United Methodists with previous volunteer experience should participate in teams going to Cuba. There must be no drinking of alcohol or smoking, and teams must avoid giving the impression of going as tourists. Shorts of a decent length may be worn at the work site, but not in other places. Teams are assigned by the Methodist Church in Cuba as needed.
#08575N - Repairs of Cuban Churches And Structures - Repair of churches, parsonages and other church structures.

Additional information on the Methodist Church of Cuba is available through the Cuba-Florida Covenant website, a partnership promoting fellowship and mutual support between Methodists in Cuba and Florida.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

•Church of Buenos Aires Santo Domingo - This quickly growing church is located in a far west neighborhood of Santo Domingo. The people are very poor. The new church will have three levels. The first level has just been completed where the church is meeting. During the weekday, this area is used as a school. The next two floors will eventually house the sanctuary, more classrooms, and a medical clinic. Stay in hotel with meals prepared by church members.

•Church of Santiago Santiago - There is new excitement in this church and the church is growing by numbers each week although they meet under a tarp. Most of the walls are up but a lot of work is still left to do. They lack columns, cement roof, stucco, windows, doors, pews, pulpit furniture, electrical work, installing of bathrooms, and much more. Teams can stay in hotel, local university campus, or with families. Meals prepared by church members.

•Chapel of San Rafael San Cristobal - This poor village is located in the east hills of San Cristobal. This growing little church is meeting in a termite infested building (12 x 20). The new chapel has been started and the walls of the basement are up. We are still lacking the cement roof of the basement which will be the floor of the sanctuary, block walls for the sanctuary, stucco, windows, doors, zinc roof over the sanctuary part. Teams could stay with families, hotel, or during the summer in the church school.

•Church of Ensanche Quisqqueya Santo Domingo - This church is located in a modest section of Santo Domingo. The church has been growing rapidly and no longer has room for all of its members. Enlarging the present sanctuary is truly needed. Groups could stay in a hotel or with families. Meals prepared by church.

•Chapel of El Zero Higuey - This congregation has been meeting in homes. Recently, they purchased a piece of land and the church has begun the project. We are lacking stucco, cement floor, furniture, doors, electrical work, and windows. Teams can stay in a local hotel and church members would prepare meals.

•Church of Los Soto Higuey - This congregation has recently purchased a piece of property and now is ready to begin the construciton process. Their dream is to have a small chapel with a zinc roof. Teams would stay in a local hotel and church members would prepare meals.

•Chapel of La Pina Sabonetade Yasica - The members of this congregation have purchased land. It has been a dream for many years to have an actual church building. The plans are to build a small chapel with a cement roof due to severe weather. The idea is that this chapel would be a place of refuge for this poor community. A well has recently been dug on the church property to provide water to the community as a means of outreach. Teams could stay at local school depending on the time of year or in a hotel in a neighboring town called Cabarete. Meals would be prepared by church members.

•Chapel of Villa Clara Samana - Located in a poor community, this rapidly growing church has purchased their own land and begun building a large church by faith. Through their sacrificial giving and hard work, the walls and roof are up. Now they need stucco and a floor. Teams can stay in a hotel and have meals prepared by church members.

•Manse of Duverge - The old wooden manse is termite infested, very small and not salvageable. It has been decided to build the manse by adding a second floor to the new church structure. The idea is to build the manse with several bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living/dining room. If the ministry in Duverge is to prosper, it is essential to build a suitable house for the pastor. Stay in a modest hotel in Duverge with meals prepared by church members.

•Manse of Mella - This poorly constructed home needs to be remodeled. Interior walls need to be knocked down and new interior block walls need to be laid. Groups can stay with church families or in a hotel in Duverge. Meals will be prepared by church members. Alternately, groups can stay in Barahona which is a 30 minute drive.

•Church of Yaguate Between San Cristobal and Bani - Yaguate is a small town among the sugar cane fields, a forty-five minute drive southwest of Santo Domingo. The building directly behind the church will be used primarily for educational and medical purposes. The first floor has been completed and the church school is up and running. The immediate need is laying block, installing windows and doors, putting in electrical fixtures, stuccoing inside and out, laying the floor, and painting for the second floor. The group can stay in the homes of church members, or in a hotel in Santo Domingo. Members of the church would prepare meals.

•Second Church of San Pedro de Macoris - The congregation is building a block annex behind the church in order to provide day care for working mothers.

•First Church of La Romana - The church is buying an adjoining lot and partially build structure to use for their over-crowded Sunday School and outreach programs. They wish to complete the building in order to continue growth.

•National Church Office Santo Domingo - The national D.E.C. office has lacked sufficient space for offices, meetings, etc. for many years. The church has begun expansion of the first floor and is building a second floor in order to add offices, a kitchen, meeting room, and resource areas. Teams could stay in a hotel, and church members would prepare meals.
#14657A - Strategic Plan for Mission, Dominican Evangelical Church - Evangelization and church growth, leadership development, social justice ministries.

•Villa Consuelo Evangelical School Santo Domingo - In a poor neighborhood in central Santo Domingo. Urgent need to finish the second floor of this overcrowded school. Two additional classrooms and two bathrooms are needed. This school still needs: lying of blocks, pouring of cement roof, adding doors, windows, stuccoing, electrical installations and sanitary installations.

•Las Arras Evangelical School Santo Domingo - Las Arras is located in a very poor seciton of Santo Domingo. They do have a strong outreach program within their community. They have started a school for children but are now in need of more room to house all the students. A second floor is needed. Laying lots of blocks, stuccoing, pouring the ceiling, electrical work, installing doors, installing windows, and painting is needed. Teams could stay in hotels or possibly with church members. Church members would prepare meals.

•Samana Evangelical School - The central church has begun building a school to help the community with its lack of classroom space. The foundation and part of the walls have been laid. Everything else needs to be completed.

•Church of Mella Village of Mella - This is a small church located in an isolated town near the Haitian border. The church is fairly new but lacking bathrooms and a cement roof. Team would stay with families or in a modest hotel in the neighboring town of Duverge. Meals prepared by church members.

•Bombita and LaHoya - Two year volunteer to handle sponsorship details, and help with assemblies in two schools and youth groups in the villages of Bombita and LaHoya.

•National Church Camp in Bani - The National Camp is a site that has needed renovation for many years. Dormitories need new cement roofs, new dormitories need to be built, and the chapel needs some minor renovations as well. Lots of painting, electrical, carpentry, and block laying work are needed. It will take a number of volunteer teams to complete this project.
#14647T - Conference Ecological Center - Bani, Dominican Republic - Expansion of a much-used facility of the Dominican Evangelical Church

•Manzanillo and Dajaboa: Water filters need to be installed in 6-8 communities. Cost at $100 apiece. The church in Dajabon needs to be finished.. The construction cost is $4000. Bible School, programs working with the young people. Each group would have to make the decision as what they can spend. Concerts,skits talks with the young people here is greatly needed. Play ground for the park. Swings and other equipment can be made from used tires. These cost about $20 or less. The poles to mount the tires would run about $25 each. Chain and bolts could be brought from home. A clinic needs a roof. Construction costs are $12000. Rooms after the top is on could cost about $800 per room. Two groups of 4 to 5 people could finish two rooms in 4 to 5 days. That would include putting stucco on the walls, tile on the floor, installing the one window and light fixture.

Santiago - Evangelical Dominican Church. Construction of local church and school; provide basic needs (bathrooms, food, etc.).

GRENADA

•Wesley House - The building requires general maintenance and upgrading, with special consideration to be given to the lower level of the building, with the intention of leasing out the excess space as office accomodations.

•St. George's Methodist Church - The building needs substantial restoration and renovation, including replacement of the roof structure and roof cladding, and replacement of the timber floors with reinforced concrete floors.

•Bethel Methodist Church - General renovation required, with focus on rebuilding the roof, strenthening the walls, replacing some windows, upgrading bathrooms, and replacing bell cupola lost in hurricane.

•Constantine Methodist Church - The original church building was destroyed by a hurricane. A new church building (for approximately 300 worshippers) needs to be constructed, but not in the exact location, as there are plans for road improvement adjacent to the site.

Donation from teams for each of these projects is approximately $4-5,000 for each trip. Housing will be at Bethel Hall UMC, where room and board costs $20 a night.

HAITI

Teams have returned to Haiti. The situation in the country has calmed down considerably, especially since the installation of President Preval. The Guest House is open and has been receiving teams. We still ask you to make sure your teams understand that this is not the USA and that taking unnecessary chances, such as walking alone on the streets, is not acceptable behavior here.
#418340 - Guest House - A guest house in the Port-Au-Prince area to house volunteer teams.

•Methodist Church at Gebeau - Needs seating upgrade, building painted, floors finished, and altar area completed.

•CHOPD Children's Home in Jeremie - Construction teams needed to upgrade an existing building and build new buildings to accommodate the children and house manager. Vocational training needed in the area of wood and metal working, agronomy, operating the grain mill, and livestock management.

•Fund-raising, policy development, and consultants needed for micro-credit program. Particular program foci are livestock management, sharecropping, and agronomy.

•Lay preaching training needed, along with French language Bible dictionaries, study Bibles, and concordances.

JAMAICA