Discrimination and Nationality.
Afro-descendant culture
From 28 july to 8 August 2020
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the North and the Caribbean Sea to the South, you can dance to the contagious rhythm of merengue, explore ancient ruins or experience eco-tourist adventures in our magnificent natural parks.
In the Dominican Republic there are about 400 bateyes, whose inhabitants face some of the worst living conditions in the country. According to a study by Ayacx Mercedes Contreras, Haitian immigrants are the most socially excluded group in social stratification followed closely by Dominican-Haitians. In fact, Haitian immigrants living in the bateyes and other poor and marginalized communities of the Dominican Republic do not have access to the most basic public services, such as running water, medical care, education, and wastewater treatment .
During the visit we will be able to witness first-hand the precarious reality faced by vulnerable groups in the Dominican Republic, specifically Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian migrants residing in the country. In parallel, we will also be able to see and enjoy the vast range of tourist assets which the Dominican Republic offers, helping to give a panoramic view of the country.
40%
Environment and Nature
80%
HUMAN RIGHTS
60%
cities and cultures
50%
history and society
BEING HAITIAN OR OF HAITIAN DESCENT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MEANS – IN MORE THAN 90% OF CASES – LIVING IN POVERTY OR EXTREME POVERTY; NOT HAVING ACCESS TO BASIC LIVING REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, HYGIENE, EDUCATION, SHELTER; AND BEING FORCED TO WORK IN TOTAL INFORMALITY, OFTEN IN SUBHUMAN CONDITIONS. TOGETHER WITH THESE EXCLUSIONARY COMPONENTS, THERE REMAINS A VERY STRONG CULTURE OF RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA IN THE COUNTRY AND A LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT OFTEN PREVENTS EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO MINIMUM SOCIAL GUARANTEES AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS TO HAITIANS.
| LOCATION | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| PERIOD | FROM 28 JULY TO 8 AUGUST 2020 (12 days, 11 nights) |
| MEETING POINT | International Airport Las Américas, Santo Domingo |
| GROUP SIZE | 12 people |
| BASIC REQUERIMIENTS | Good physical and physiological condition. Extreme conditions: really warm temperatures and humidity. Over 18 years old Languages spoken Spanish |
| FOOD/CATERING | Vegetarian and non veggie options, available |
| TRANSPORTATION | Private transportation, mini bus. |
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SANTO DOMINGO
Private transportation from the airport to Santo Domingo’s historic center (Colonial Zone). Check-in at the hotel. Introductory information about the tour and the different activities. Night-out, welcome dinner, walk around the historical center.
DAY 2: MUDHA ORGANISATION & SPANISH CULTURAL CENTER
Breakfast at the hotel. Shopping, money exchange or withdrawals. Then the bus will take us to the municipality of Santo Domingo Este, Batey la Balsa, San Luis, where the facilities of the Haitian Dominican Women’s Movement (MUDHA) are located. Typical Dominican lunch. Back to the city, there will be a visit to the Spanish Cultural Center, important promoter of local artistic creation.
DAY 3: CULTURE AND OBMICA THINK TANK
Observation tour of the Malecon of Santo Domingo and back to the hotel for the breakfast. Visit the Juan Pablo Duarte Culture Square (National Theater, National Museum of Natural History, Museum of History and Geography, National Library and the Dominican Cinematheque. Lunch. During the afternoon, meeting with OBMICA, a think tank for action focused on migration and social development in the Caribbean.
DAY 4: markets and civil state office
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to local markets. After the lunch we will visit a Civil State Office to observe the processes of acquiring an identity document in the country. Will follow the visit, a thoughtful dialogue with lawyers and promoters about the problem.
DAY 5: BOCA CHICA BEACH
Breakfast at the accommodation and provate transportation till Boca Chica beach. Lunch at the beach. Around 18:00 return to the hotel. Free dinner.
DAY 6: COLONIAL ZONE
Free day in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.
DAY 7: batey
Breakfast and check out. Private transportation till a Batey. Discover the community, their traditions. You will spend the night in dormitories in the Batey.
DAY 8: EVENT AND FOCUS GROUPS
Breakfast. Event to promote the reduction of the use of plastic, recycling and the importance of water conservation. Local lunch and Meeting with focus groups on Haitian Dominican issues. Second night spent in the Batey.
DAY 9: BATEY – COLONIAL ZONE
Breakfast in the community. Private trasportation till the city. Check in in the hotel.
Afternoon in the city center and dancing night.
DAY 10: TRES OJOS National park and Soraya Aracena
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit and walk in the “Tres Ojos” national park and Faro a Colón. In the afternoon talk with Soraya Aracena about culture and Afro-identity at the Cultural Center of Spain. Soraya is an anthropologist known for her research on the culture of people of African descent in the Dominican Republic.
DAY 11: SANTO DOMINGO – DISSEMINATION EVENT
Breakfast. Event to promote the tour and to put attention on the reality faced by vulnerable groups in the Dominican Republic specifically, Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian migrants residing in the country. Free afternoon. Dinner.
DAY 12: DEPARTURES
Breakfast at the hotel. Transportation till the International Airport. End of our services.
Any foreigner who is temporarily in the country can have access and receive health care, at hospitals and clinics in the case of an emergency, sudden illness or chronic disease. For faster attention, it is always useful to have an international medical and accident insurance.
HEALTH & SECURITY
PRICE
The tour price includes accommodation, meals, local travel and activities
(flights and insurance are excluded)
Discount for those that book before 1 April 2020
Reserve your place on the dominican republic tour now
