Dominican Medical Missions

Health Promoters

View the June 2012 Health Promoter Newsletter here.


The cornerstone of our work in the Dominican Republic is now the promoter program. After years of conducting clinics and providing surgery, we realized life in this poor country would never get better, if we didn’t help people there learn to help themselves.

We currently coordinate a Health Promoter sponsorship program that provides a modest stipend to 52 people who receive training and supplies to oversee medical needs in their communities. They are responsible for distributing vitamins and anti-parasite medicines to about 1,000 children. They provide women information about contraception, prenatal care, breastfeeding and disease prevention.

The promoters receive continuing education from medical organizations in the Dominican Republic as well as groups visiting from the United States.

This program has been a powerful transition to watch. We’ve seen the promoters become respected members of their communities. They are the people their neighbors turn to when there’s an emergency or life-threatening problem. They monitor on-going needs and report them to visiting medical teams.

The promoters are constantly seeking new information about everything from HIV/AIDS to wound care to high blood pressure so they can better serve their people.

We’d love to expand this program to other villages.

The promoters receive $500 a year; an additional $100 provides supplies for a basic medical kit.

Some promoters are sponsored by individuals in the United States, others by churches,
clubs, sororities and neighborhood groups. 

We provide updates and photographs so sponsors can see where their money is going. If you join us on a trip to the Dominican Republic, we will make every effort for you to meet your promoter face to face.

This is a program that is making a huge difference in the lives of thousands of people for a very small investment.

If this sounds like something you’d like to support, you can learn more about it by contacting Leslie Toledo, 913.671.2321 or e-mail. 

You may also donate/sponsor a health promoter online. Click here.

View more photos from the August Essential Newborn Care Training here.