Our life in the Dominican Republic

Our new life

Moving to the Dominican Republic wasn't only about moving into a totally new culture, we were also introduced to the concept of 'expatriate life'. Although we were very keen on learning about the new culture of Dominicans, we weren't too convinced if expatriate life-style would suit us. It has been an interesting learning experience for all of us to adapt to new standards without losing our values.

 

Challenges

Living in the Dominican Republic made us face different problems we had never experienced before. One of the major problems were the frequent power-cuts (or the limited power supply, it depends on how you look at it). We worked around three different back-up-systems. We had a 'planta' (a generator), batteries and our last resort was just to simply jump in the pool hoping to cool of...

 

Hiking

We loved hiking into the Dominican 'mountains'. We've participated in several hiking trips to and around the National Park and the highest peak in the Caribbean: Pico Duarte. Hiking in the Dominican Republic wasn't only a great outdoor experience, it gave us opportunities to connect to local Dominicans and enjoy their inspiring hospitality and joy.

 

Education

During our second year in Santo Domingo, we moved our children from an elite American School to the more 'down to earth' Community for Learning. We couldn't cope with the American curriculum and the elite Dominican population. At the Community for Learning our children were tutored bi-lingual (English/Spanish) and as it was a middle class semi local school, our children enjoyed more integration opportunities with the local population. This school added to the experience of integrating in a different culture and our children made life long (local) friends. Although moving children from one school to the other, while on assignment, is never preferred, we never regret this move and are grateful for the education and life long friends our children could develop.

 

Outpost

Mary is a supporter of the Outpost Network , their mission, goals and activities. During their posting in Santo Domingo, Mary took the role of volunteer Outpost Focal point and assisted new families being relocated to the Dominican Republic.

JMS literary Prize 2007

During the last month of her assignment in the Dominican Republic, Mary wrote a story for the Shell expatriate magazine which would, in 2007, be awarded with the JMS literary Prize. The (runner up) winning article was called 'My suitcase' and reflects about how Mary felt after 4 years Dominican Republic.

Broekhuijsen, M.G. (2007). My Suitcase. Destinations issue 36. (pp. 24-26). Den Haag, Destinations Magazine.

 

Rehabilitation service ('reclassering buitenland')

Mary became a volunteer for the Dutch Rehabilitation Service (Reclassering Buitenland). In cooperation with the Dutch Embassy in Santo Domingo and her very good friend Vera -her partner in crime- she visited the Dutch and Antillean prisoners who were detained in Dominican Prisons. Most of them were drug traffic related crimes but some incredible sad cases (of ignorant young or naive people being tricked into smuggling activities. The situation in Dominican prisons were horrific and although most prisoners accepted their detainment, living in these circumstances were challenging for them. A monthly visit from us was always very much appreciated.

Broekhuijsen, M.G. (2005). Verslag van een gedetineerdenbezoek. Ogen en oren. Dertig jaar bureau buitenland en buitenlandse betrekkingen. (pp. 88-90). Utrecht: Reclassering Nederland.

Read more:

• Amnesty International Report on Dominican Prison conditions
• NRC report (Dutch)
• Wereld Omroep (Dutch)
• Epafras

 

Swimming

Mary was recruited for the Dominican Master Swim team in 2003. They trained several times a week in the Olympic Pool in Santo Domingo and competed internationally. The team organized frequent long-distance swimming in the Caribbean Sea. Mary was inspired by great (ex)-professional swimmers like Danilo Vicioso, Mercy Aybar and Marcos Diaz.

Hola Holanda

Thijs was first treasurer and later chair for the Dutch Association in the Dominican Republic. The Dutch Association in the Dominican Republic aimed to increase contact between two cultures and organized typical Dutch activities for adults and children (like Sinterklaas). Mary became editor for the Newsletter. Unfortunately, many expats left the Dominican and no one wanted to continue their activities. Sadly enough, the Dutch Association does no longer exist.

During our stay in the Dominican Republic Thijs participated as a correspondent for the Dutch Radio (NCRV) during monthly life evening broadcasts.

 

Author

Mary finalized her first book on Breastfeeding which was published during her stay in the Dominican Republic. She became editor for the Dutch Newsletter in the Dominican Republic.

During our stay in the Dominican Republic, Mary wrote several short stories. Many of them are in Dutch and were published in the 'Hola Holanda' the Dutch Newsletter in the Dominican Republic.

 

Breastfeeding Consultant

Mary kept busy with different Breastfeeding Consultancy and advocacy activities. She participated in La Leche League meetings in the capital and was involved in the local IBFAN group. She visited local communities, Bateys (where the Haitian people lived in poverty harvesting the Sugar Cane crop), she gave workshops to local communities and did one to one consultancy work for people who needed her assistance.

 

Art

From 2003 Mary took art lessons with Cuban artist, Omar. He has been an inspiring teacher and didn't only increase Mary's interest in painting but also helped improve her Spanish.

 

A few Murals

Mary painted two big murals in the school library during her first year in the Dominican Republic. The theme was from the Jungle Book.

 

Book tips about the Dominican Republic or Dominican Authors:

The Feast of the Goat (Spanish title: La Fiesta del Chivo) (2000) also translated in Dutch ("het feest van de bok") is a novel by the Peruvian novelist, Mario Vargas Llosa. It tells about the assesination of Trjulillo and about the aftermath...

In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Álvarez. The story is about the Mirabal sisters.

4 of the three Mirabal sisters were murdered by Trujillo. During our stay I was honored to meet the only surviving sister.

The Dominican Republic A National History, by Frank Moya Pons

Why the cocks fight: Dominican, Haitians and the struggle for Hispaniola by Michelle Wucker

The farming of bones, by Edwidge Danticat