The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country on the island of Hispaniola. Like many Caribbean islands the Dominican Republic is known for its stunning beaches, exotic ecosystem, and unique culture. Its pristine sand beaches are framed by a lush landscape supported by warm, damp conditions. As expected, the landscape drastically differs from the native chaparral that we are used to. The green native palms, tall lush grasses, and brightly colored flowers native to the Dominican Republic wouldn’t last long in the hills of California. Regular evening thunderstorms and plenty of rains provide these water thirsty plants plenty of nourishment. The Californian climate however creates a landscape of unique, hardy, and beautiful natives perfectly adapted to our climate. Having experienced the breathtaking beauty of California natives myself; in both my parent’s business, Moosa Creek Nursery and the hillsides around my home, finding any other ecosystem as beautiful seems impossible. To some the Dominican landscape may seem idyllic, but for Susita it is quite another story.

 

In 1492 Columbus stumbled upon the island of Hispaniola. Claiming the island for the Spanish crown a prosperous plantation economy was soon established and the first European settlement in the west quickly became a thriving investment for the Spanish. Like many plantation economies the success of the settlement was based on the labor of the native people and imported African slaves. The introduction of foreign pathogens and the harsh treatment by Spanish slave masters massacred much of the native population through disease and starvation By 1697 the Spanish began losing control over their colonies and ceded the western half of the island, modern day Haiti, to the French. Haiti eventually became the first republic founded by freed slaves, but the two neighbors have had an antagonistic relationship that continues on the border today. A brief occupation of the Dominican Republic by Haiti resulted in strong feelings of hatred based on race. In 1877 the Dominicans successfully overthrew the Haitians’ rule. From this point on deep-seeded resentment has been wedged between the two peoples. 

 

Susita, a descendant of the African slaves, is considered by the Dominican ruling elite, to be of a lower class than the individuals descended from the Spanish elite or even the mulattos; individuals of mixed race. Approximately 75% of the population of the Dominican Republic is mixed race while about 17% is white. Many Dominican people refuse to acknowledge their African roots, associating with only their Spanish ancestry. Since the Dominican revolution, a number of conflicts have occurred between the two cultures leaving thousands dead. For this reason, the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is a very tumultuous and violent area. Matters are made worse by the economic inequality in the two countries. While the economy of the Dominican Republic grew and flourished, the Haitian economy dwindled under political strife and instability subjecting its people to devastating poverty. Because of the difference in economic prosperity, many Haitians attempted to move to the Dominican Republic in order to find employment. Haitians became migrant workers in the Dominican Republic, becoming the lowest paid members of society. This economic trend increased the amount of prejudice toward the Haitian people. Now, many rural villages in the Dominican Republic are populated by the lower class descendants of slaves.  

Such is the case in the small village of Angel Feliz in the Independencia province just inside the Dominican border. This small farming village has deep Haitian influences as many of the rural farmers speak the Haitian language, Creole, as opposed to Spanish, the national language of the Dominican Republic. It is this village that Susita calls home. 

 

Angel Feliz, typical of most rural villages inhabited by Haitian-Dominicans depend on subsistence farming. Unfortunately in many cases farmers aren’t able to produce enough crops to support their needs. In the absence of alternative cooking and heating methods, villages like Angel Feliz began cutting down trees for firewood. This deforestation causes a multitude of problems; including mudslides, resulting in water contamination and the loss of topsoil, making it much harder to grow crops. The cycle of poverty continues, food insecurity is prevalent, and many children are prevented from receiving an adequate education. Many young girls are married early to ease the burden on their families but this most certainly ends all of their education. In Susita’s case, it is very likely that she is married today at the young age of 16. Although education is free in the Dominican Republic many young scholars from impoverished areas aren’t able to further their education as the system encourages the upper and middle class students to attend University. These poorer students are not prepared for the rigor of a secondary education and rarely pass to attend university. 

 

Plant with Purpose has demonstrated that addressing the issue of reforestation can stop this cycle of poverty. Our mission is to discover whether the chain of events that begins with your purchase of a native plant and Moosa Creek Nursery's support of the Plant with Purpose program has impacted the life of Susita, the village of Angel Feliz and the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic. We vow to bring that story back to you.