Makarios from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.
Makarios is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educational development in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other impoverished areas of the world. We are committed to a child’s spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth, to provide hope for a better future.
Executive Director Sharla Megilligan founded Makarios in the spring of 2004. Makarios, named using the ancient Greek word for “blessed,” is a faith-based organization that focuses on educational development in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Makarios’ initial projects provide improved educational opportunities in the Haitian villages, called bateyes, on the D.R.’s north coast. In addition to working in the bateyes, Makarios helps support several existing educational programs targeting poor Dominicans in Santiago, the D.R.’s second largest city.
While helping to improve the educational opportunities of the youth, we also desire to point them to the loving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18). We have been called by God to minister to this people group, and we believe that one of the best ways that we can communicate the love of God is to address their physical needs (Prov. 31:9, James 2). However, while education is valuable, we believe the most important thing we can do is introduce these children and their families to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
In addition to our projects in the Dominican Republic, we are beginning to help already existing churches and organizations begin educational programs in other countries. Our first project is in Mexico City and we are exploring opportunities in Haiti and Pakistan. See our New Countries page for more information.
