1-2 Million Haitians live in the Dominican Republic, many of whom work in the sugarcane fields.

Housing for sugarcane workers and their families are called bateys.

Squalor best defines the bateys.  Homes are dark, overcrowded, lack furniture, electricity, and running water.

Children of Haitians born in the DR are not able to obtain Dominican birth certificates.  Undocumented children have limited access to education, health care, and jobs.

Makarios works with both Haitians and Dominicans in extreme poverty to provide holistic education and a hope for the future.

For more information on batey life, click here.