Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Created in 1984, the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral, Inc. (IDDI) is a not for profit organization that has as its objective the following:
- Contribute to the transformation of the human being, our families and the communities in which we live.
- Create the conditions so that we, as a people, both collectively and individually, can count on a reasonable opportunity to live a productive and healthy life, each in accordance to his/her needs, interests and potential.
- Promote dialogue and understanding between the different sectors that compose our society.
- Focus as much on resolving the causes of society’s problems as well as their symptoms.
IDDI concentrates its activities on supporting the low income population that live in both rural and urban areas of the Dominican Republic, with emphasis on the squatter slums of Santo Domingo and the provinces in the east, south and central parts of the country. The organization’s hallmark is its ability to form partnerships among sectors in Dominican society to achieve common goals.
The organization has 74 full-time staff and 540 community volunteers, and activities are divided into departments: community education and organization, micro-credit, crafts, construction, and health. IDDI often serves as an intermediary between government and community groups, most notably in its negotiation of a Social Pact between the Dominican government and community groups in the slum of Capotillo that put an end to a month of violence in 1994. IDDI administered a USAID contract for maternal-child health care programs where it achieved a reduction of 78% in malnutrition in children from 0-5 years of age and a 33% reduction in mortality among the children. IDDI also recently signed a contract with the Dominican government to build 1,500 low cost houses in Santo Domingo.
Since its inception, IDDI has supported the strengthening and/or creation of over 680 grassroots organizations, many of which have as a result undergone a transition from a paternalistic mindset to one of inserting themselves into the decision-making process in their communities.
Contact Information:
Executive Director: David Luther
Address: Apartado Postal 22282 (Huacal)
Calle Luis F. Thomen #654
Santo Domingo, D N.
Phone: (809) 534-1077/78/79
Fax: (809) 534-1080