The need is great all over the country.  The best thing to do is to contact the Branch at: Tel: (809) 595-4007 or Fax: (809) 595-3888 and speak with the brothers there.

Likely, they will  give you a list of places in the country where the need is especially great  and tailored to your circumstances.  There is a tremendous. need in the country for elders and ministerial servants. In some places, there is a need for strong families; in other places, single brothers or married couples are needed to work isolated territories. It is not recommended that very young single sisters come alone.

After speaking with the brothers at the Branch many have visited different areas suggested by the Branch, to get an idea of the territory, location, congregation, and to speak with other needgreaters serving there.  In this way, they have been able to find a location that suits them personally.

The Branch encourages brothers to search out a location where they feel they will be happy serving, most likely,  they will then do well in their assignment. In the beginning, the Branch often suggests places where there are other foreigners so that these new ones moving to the country can have help adjusting to the culture while receiving encouragement in  their own language to keep up their spirituality, until they become fluent in Spanish.

Back to the Contents

ARE THERE OTHER PLACES MORE ECONOMICAL TO LIVE?

MOST ASSUREDLY! In other parts of the country, particularly, in isolated areas, it's possible to obtain an apartment for between $75 & $100 US a month.  In larger cities, such as Santiago and Santo Domingo, where there are large supermarkets and Price-Mart, the price of food is much less!  The cost of living varies greatly depending upon where you live in the country as well as one's personal lifestyle. 

SOMEONE SAID I COULD LIVE ON $200 US A MONTH IN THE

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.   IS THIS TRUE?? 

This would be extremely difficult, but not totally impossible! If you are single, have one or even several roommates, then it is quite possible to live very inexpensively.  How much it costs you to live in the Dominican Republic depends upon:

• (1)   Where you live in the country

• (2)    How many persons you will be sharing expenses with and

• (3)    The kind of lifestyle you can be content with 

It is emphasized by those overseeing the work in the Dominican Republic that needgreaters need to take care of themselves and eat properly in order to remain in good health.  To do this, requires living on more than $200 a month for most of us.

Families with growing children might spend this amount or more on food alone in a month! 

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO LIVE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ON DISABILITY, A RETIREMENT PENSION, OR 

SOCIAL SECURITY?

Most definitely!  Many older couples with retirement pensions, widowed sisters and their children living on Survivors' Benefits or Social Security and others receiving Disability pensions have found that they are able to live much more economically in the Dominican Republic on these pensions, than they were able to in their own country. However, to make such a move requires very careful planning and that one be in good health and strong spirituality.  Many receive their pensions as a direct deposit in the bank of their native country and merely withdraw the money through an ATM machine in the Dominican Republic.

Back to the Contents

3.  WHERE COULD I STAY IF I JUST CAME FOR A SHORT TIME TO "SPY OUT THE LAND"?

Throughout the country there are self-supporting missionaries or needgreaters who have bed and breakfast accommodations for brothers that come on vacation or "to spy out the land".  It is not difficult to find out about these.

Also, in many places, there are brothers who have apartments or small rooms with kitchen facilities for rent for brothers coming for a minimum of three to six months or permanently.  Now and then there are needgreaters that rent out their apartment / house when they go away to work during the year. Ads posted by these brothers can often be found in newsletters posted on: www.tropicalislandbb.com/TIBB_Newsletters.htm.    

Back to the Contents

4.  WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? 

WHAT EXPENSES WILL I HAVE?

Transportation in small pueblos: "Conchos" (motorcycles pulling little 4 passenger covered wagons) or "gua-guas" (mini-vans) :  The average fares anywhere in the town and to Kingdom Hall:  $.30-$.35;   average fares to outlying areas: $.70 to $2.00 one way.  In most places throughout the country, public transportation is readily available and very reasonable.

WOULD I NEED A CAR IF I MOVED TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC? 

A car is not a necessity, but is very practical to have as one can do a lot to help the congregation and new ones.  However, much can be accomplished in the ministry with a motor bike or scooter, which are fine for country places and small towns, (but are not recommended for other larger towns and cities).

If you buy your own little motor bike, Honda 70: $2,500. approx.; Honda 125: $3,500  approx; Gas for motorbikes: $3.00 a gallon (but you can go forever on a gallon!) (Most pioneers with a Honda 70 only spend about $5.00  a week on gas. 

Many friends prefer to have a car for safety reasons. In most towns, there are pretty good local bus systems (gua-guas, mini- buses, etc.) for transportation. So having a car is not always a necessity.

Some of the needgreaters who have families, have opted to buy a car, truck or mini-van.  This makes field service much easier for them, in addition to helping the congregation. Large groups of brothers and sisters can be taken out to seldom worked territories in outlying areas. Most local friends do not have any kind of personal transportation. 

DRIVER'S LICENSES:

Driver's Licenses from other countries are accepted in the Dominican Republic. The following Information about International Licenses is found at:  http://www.idlicense.org

"An International Drivers License is intended to overcome the difficulties drivers may have while traveling by car in foreign countries that may have widely varying license requirements. On September 19, 1949, the United Nations established the international driving permit to allow motorists to travel in foreign countries. Language barriers create difficulties for both motorists and police. This document establishes the right for a person to drive in another country. International Driver License is printed in... the five United Nations official languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese) as well as German and Arabic...easy to apply for ...When you drive in the  foreign country, you are required to possess both: International Driver License and your native Driver License & be 18 years of age or older.....The International Driver license is recognized worldwide as a valuable document identifying you as a properly licensed resident. No test is required, but you must have a valid Native Drivers License...can be issued within 24 hours not including mailing time...We issue 2 documents for each person: 1. Passport size Booklet with an 8 languages translation of your native Driver License 2. Credit Card size security covered plastic card International Driver License."

Countries than honor the International License are listed at:

www.idlicense.com/drluncountries.asp .Once a person receives their residency, it is expected that they obtain a Dominican License. 

Back to the Contents

6.  WHAT THINGS DO WE NEED TO BRING WITH US?

YOU SHOULD BRING:  A fair amount of clothes, underwear, shoes.  Good quality clothing and underwear are very difficult to find in this country.  There are shoe stores in the larger cities, but shoes are very expensive. 

WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING?   This depends upon where you settle. 

In cooler areas, such as  the mountains of Jarabacoa or  Constanza, you will need sweaters and jackets, warm pajamas, etc.   Also, blankets and comforters, particularly from  December through March.

In warmer areas, such as Samaná and the South, this type of clothing is not needed.  Bring lightweight, cool clothing.  Permanent press clothing is very practical as ironing is often a problem due to low voltage or lack of electricity.

Rainwear:  lightweight rain coats/capes that you can fold and put in your field service bag are practical for the rainy months.

Shoes:  Territories in many places such as Samaná, are rocky and hilly.  Often one has to cross over streams and rivers to get to a house.  Good walking shoes are best.  Comfort rather than fashion!  White running shoes, (such as Reeboks, Nikes, without wild colors & stripes or Sears "I Love Comfort" shoes) or leather tennis shoes are acceptable and perfect for field service terrain.   In larger cities, (Santo Domingo, Santiago, etc.) comfortable, dressier shoes are more appropriate.

Electronic items:  VCRs, blenders, tape recorders, DVD players, are quite expensive in the Dominican Republic. So it is good to bring them with you. Televisions can be bought here in the country very reasonably  and have PROTECTORS built into them to protect against surges and low voltage.

Fans:  You can buy good fans very inexpensively here in the country.

Kitchenware, sheets, bedspreads, linens, towels:  Almost everything you need to furnish your home can be obtained reasonably in the cities of Santo Domingo or Santiago.

Furniture: Beautiful cane or wicker furniture can be bought in the Capital or Santiago.  Also other kinds of furniture: beds, bureaus, dining table & chair sets, etc. can be bought at  very reasonable rates.  Other needgreaters and the branch can tell you where to go for these. 

Elevators to raise the voltage & protectors against surges: These are very practical items to bring with you. You will need one for your fridge and television (additional protection) and for your computer if you bring one in.

Back to the Contents

7.  WHAT ABOUT PAYING DUTY ON THINGS?

There is duty on things, but  they often make up the rules as they go along!  If you are discreet and carry things of value wrapped well in carry-on luggage, carrying your laptop, most of the time you won't have to pay duty.

CAN I SHIP ALL OUR THINGS & IF SO, HOW?

Shipping is costly, and often it takes forever to get them out of customs and then when you do sometimes you find much is stolen.  The process of getting them out of customs involves going to the airport all day every day for several days waiting in different lines for different papers, hassling with each person, and in the end watching several persons in customs, in a big warehouse building,  literally dump everything out of your very carefully packed, boxes and suitcases on to the floor and go through it, determining what duty they want to charge as well as what things they would like for themselves and their families! (of course, they DO ask!). Several of U.S. needgreaters have experienced this!  It is for this reason that...  the Branch suggests bringing everything you can in with you on the same plane.

What most families coming in have done:  They have packed everything they wanted to bring in suitcases and have brought in as much as possible with them leaving the rest for other trips out of the country or for visiting friends and relatives to bring in, and little by little. In this way, they have been able to bring in ALL their belongings.

WHEN YOU GET YOUR RESIDENCY:  You can bring in EVERYTHING, furniture, washing machine, fridge, etc.  in A CONTAINER without any duty or  customs charges.  Refrigerators, brand name washing machines, etc. can be bought here in the country.

Back to the Contents

8.  HOW ABOUT EMPLOYMENT? 

The Dominican Republic is  a third world country and work is scarce and salaries are very low. In some places, school teachers earn only $150 A MONTH and housekeepers earn approx. $80-$100 A MONTH working full time, six days a week! 

If a person has the collateral, and can offer something that is not available and that is much needed in a place, it would not be impossible to have one's own business in the country (after arranging for residency, etc.) Contacting the Branch on such questions would be wise.  News of what many needgreaters are doing to support themselves can be found at:  www.tropicalislandbb.com/Newsletter_AugSept.html in a bimonthly newsletter published by brothers.

Back to the Contents

9.  WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL TREATMENT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

In individual little towns there are clinics and hospitals for emergencies and simple things, such as infections, blood analysis, parasites, the flu, x-rays, etc.  For treating severe diseases or medical problems, most persons go to the capital or Santiago. There are some good doctors, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, and clinics there and in other places. It is not difficult to find out about these when the need arises. There are brothers that are medical doctors, dentists, optometrists, etc. The Branch is always very helpful on this.

MEDICATIONS:  If you have medications, it would be a good idea to get a six month prescription filled in your country  before coming, so you have EXACTLY what you need (i.e. blood pressure medication, thyroid medicine, medication for chemical imbalances, etc.) until you find out if it exists here and where you can obtain it. (Most prescription medicines are obtainable "over the counter" without a prescription (i.e., antibiotics, thyroid medication, blood pressure medications, antibiotics, etc.). Medicines not obtainable in this country, or medicines not paid for in a foreign country under your insurance, can be FedEx'd to the Dominican Republic.

Back to the Contents

10.  IS THERE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

For individuals and families, it is difficult to obtain, but not impossible.  You can speak with needgreaters and the Branch about this when you come. There are a few who pay approximately $40-$50 a month for full coverage. The best thing is to have a health insurance coverage BEFORE coming into the country. Hospital care is free in the country.  Clinics are not (and often provide the better medical service).

EXPATRIATE HEALTH INSURANCE: There are insurance companies that cover people who are out of the country from 15 days to 3 years.  One internet link that may help you is:  International Medical Group: www.imglobal.com.

Back to the Contents

11.  WHAT ABOUT EDUCATION FOR MY CHILDREN IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

There is free education in all the public schools of the country (in Spanish). Many  foreigners have found the quality of the education to be lacking and have opted to send their children to private English speaking schools.  Many families home-school using the internet. One excellent program used by many needgreater families is: " K12 ",  http://www.k12.com/options/  For details contact:  Stefan & Alexandra Feketefoldi, a needgreater family, who are home-schooling all three of their boys on this program: stefan@cmscarib.com

Back to the Contents

12.  HOW DO MOST YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE THE MOVE TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

FABULOUSLY!!   At first, some did not want to come and "leave their friends" and familiar surroundings, and learn a foreign language.  But once they were here a few months, they not only adjusted to the move, but LOVED IT!   Many of these young people are now pioneering and some are even ministerial servants and elders!

Children and young people often adjust far more quickly than do their parents, and before long they have the language down, make new friends, and love their new congregation. And generally, the things that the adults find difficult to adjust to, such as the lack of electricity and water, don't seem to bother the young people as they absorb themselves into the culture right away!   Before long they are speaking the language like a Dominican and have left their parents behind in the dust!

Island life seems to lend itself to needgreater families spending more time together in family activities:  In some places, families are pioneering together. Evenings they can be seen playing canasta or other games or studying together; and, weekends picnicking on the beaches!  Life is much slower and more relaxed in the Dominican Republic than in most of the countries that needgreater families have come from.

Back to the Contents

13.  HOW CAN I SEND OR RECEIVE MONEY IN THE  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

The country has WESTERN UNION OFFICES in many places where money can be wired. There are also a number of special offices where money can be sent or received from U.S..  Also, money (U.S. dollars) can be deposited in special savings and checking accounts. Bank transfers from the U.S. and other countries can be made to bank accounts (in peso equivalent). There are some banks that allow you to receive money on your Visa as well.

ATM MACHINES: These are found in most towns.  Puerto Plata, San Francisco Macoris, Nagua Jarabacoa, Samaná, and Santo Domingo have them.  It's best, however, to always make sure that you have enough pesos with you, as often these machines are out of order or not working due to problems with the electricity.  DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS: can be used at many banks to withdraw money from your savings or checking account. Not every pueblo has a bank with this service so it is best to travel with enough cash where ever you go.

Back to the Contents

14.  BANKING?

BANK ACCOUNTS:

Both peso and dollar accounts may be opened in some banks.  Social Security or pension checks, or income deposited in foreign banks, can be deposited into these accounts by using a debit card or by writing a personal check, or by electronic transfer. It is best not to put all your U.S. dollars into pesos, as the peso is unstable & the exchange rate is always changing.

BANK-BY-WEB: 

Bringing a laptop to the Dominican Republic and doing your banking by web solves many problems for most persons.  You can write checks online & have them mailed out by  banks in the United States or other places that have "bank-by-web" services. With bank-by-web, you can pay bills, monitor your bank balance and credit card balances and available credit and run a business in your country from the Dominican Republic. 

Back to the Contents

Unless you move way out in the country or to  a very isolated place, it is possible to have a telephone installed.  Once you settle PERMANENTLY in a place you can make application for a telephone.  It is best to do this as soon as possible!  It can take anywhere from a month to three months to get one. For installation, etc. it is roughly $100-$150.  

Back to the Contents

16.  WHAT ABOUT THE MAIL/DELIVERY SERVICE?

MAIL SERVICE:  Mail service in the Dominican Republic is not the best.  It can take anywhere from two weeks to six months for a letter or package to arrive.  One needgreater received a small package (typewriter cartridge) 11 months later!  Often packages are opened and things stolen.  No mail is delivered to the homes, only to  post office boxes which run around $20 a year.

 FEDERAL EXPRESS SERVICES? UPS?

These kind of services DO exist.  There are different kinds of companies.  Many pueblos have one. They are quite expensive but excellent in an emergency.  A brother sailing into Samaná Bay on a boat, broke down and needed a part for the boat.  By using this service, within two days he received the part from the United States.

Again:  a laptop can solve all the problems to do with banking, business, or keeping in touch with friends and relatives!

Back to the Contents

17.  WHAT IS NEEDED TO ENTER THE COUNTRY? VISA? WHAT ABOUT RESIDENCY?

You need a passport to enter the country. At the airport they issue a temporary visa for $20.

Residency: Persons coming to live permanently have to begin applying for residency within their first three months. This is a lengthy process but required by the Branch for pioneers, ministerial servants, and elders coming to serve PERMANENTLY in the country. It is best to talk with the Branch or local elders about this when the time comes. The Branch very kindly offers help by supplying a checklist of documents needed and exactly where to go and what to do. They will also give you an orientation & go over the checklist with you.  It takes about one full day if you begin early to "make your deposit" for your residency.  Then approximately two months later, you receive your papers and obtain your "cedular" (similar to U.S. Social Security number), and temporary residency card, which you renew in one year. 

 Brothers and sisters coming on vacation for a few months do not need to begin this process.

Back to the Contents

18.  CAN YOU GIVE ME  ANY  IDEA OF ANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT NEEDGREATERS FACE & HOW THEY SOLVE THEM?

HOW TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS:

A Housekeeper: Many families have found it advantageous to have a "trabajadora" (housekeeper)
For as little as $80 to $100 US A MONTH, in many places, you can have a pioneer sister or someone in the congregation, come to your home, from 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 in the afternoon three or four days a week, to:

• (1) go & buy the groceries,

• (2) cook a nice hot meal,

• (3) clean the house,

• (4) fill all the water jugs when the water comes on, and

• (5) wash the laundry by hand/or machine.  Thereby making it possible for everyone in the family to spend more time in field service and to return home at noon to a nice hot meal and clean house!  A local sister buying  groceries for you at the market can save you quite a bit of money.

A Trace Engineering Inverter System can solve the problem of no electricity.  Cost: $1500 approximately--depending upon the size you buy and the amount of batteries. There are brothers in Santiago who sell and install these.

 "Tinakos", or large round 250 gallon or 500 gallon tanks can be installed on your roof, and when the water goes off, these automatically provide water until the water from the street returns.  Cost:  $200 approximately for 500 gallon tank, tubing, installation, etc.

Back to the Contents

19.  OTHER SURVIVAL SUGGESTIONS:

(1) It is not a good idea to drink water or juice without first checking its source.   Even in the best hotels as you can get quite sick because much of the time Dominicans work in the kitchens and tap water is used to make the juices, rather than purified water.

(2) Salads: Always ask for a COOKED salad. It is also not a good idea to eat RAW salads because although the lettuce, cabbage, and celery are washed, they are not soaked in anything to destroy any bacteria and you can get very sick. Vegetables that you peel such as carrots, cucumbers are ok. Tomatoes are smooth and easily washed.

In your own home you can soak salad vegetables in "purísima" to make them safe.  Any fruit or vegetable that you PEEL is safe and doesn't need soaking (potatoes, carrots, cucumber, bananas, pineapple, etc.)

(3) Water: Always carry good bottled water with you where ever you go.  Five gallon jugs of spring water can be bought for around $1.00.  Many of the needgreaters always carry a "chupi-chupi" (a water bottle with strap pronounced: "CHOO-pee--CHOO-pee").

Also, excellent water filters that kill typhoid, salmonella, and purify your water, etc. can be obtained in the U.S. and other countries, that can be brought in and installed on your tap. These are used by the Branch. 

An excellent water filter recommended by the Branch is:  The Katadyn Filter: It has a ceramic body which retains all suspended matter and bacterial.  Silver incorporated in ceramic body prevents growth of bacterial through the pores of the ceramic (self-disinfecting).  Filling of silver quartz prevents re-infection from the outlet side. These filters kill typhoid, salmonella and purify your water.

These are Swiss made.  Federal Health Office of Switzerland.  Can be obtained easily in the United States and other countries.

Purísima is a chlorine solution.  For approximately, $6.00 a large bottle can be obtained, that will last almost a year.  A few drops of this is used in the water to soak vegetables for 15 minutes to kill any bacteria.  Also, used to soak eggs before putting them in the refrigerator.  (egg shells can contain typhoid/salmonella so need to be cleaned)  

Back to the Contents

20.  OTHER ADJUSTMENTS THAT OFTEN HAVE TO BE MADE:

1.  Hot water:  Getting use to being without hot water.  Taking COLD showers!

2.  Toilet paper: cannot be flushed down the toilet in most houses/apartments due to the old septic systems and lack of water pressure.  So all used toilet paper is put in a little "cubito" near the toilet instead of being flushed down the toilet and is emptied daily.

3.  Hair-dryers and irons: In some places, these cannot be used late afternoon or at night because of the low voltage at these times.  If you stay somewhere where there is an inverter, these cannot be used at all unless the person has a special electrical set up  for this. 

 TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS:

Simple portable type hot water heating elements or mechanisms can be bought in the U.S. and brought in and installed in your shower. 

A good inverter (Trace Engineering) can be obtained with batteries for around $1,500  (depending on the size and amount of batteries).  There are brothers who sell and install them in the country.  Special electrical wiring can be done so that ONE socket in the house can be used for hair-dryers and irons. 

Having an inverter is the best investment you can make in this country as with an inverter you have lights, fans, TV, and access to internet, 24 hours a day!

The toilet paper problem can only be solved if you build your own home and septic system, so use a little pail with a cover!

Back to the Contents

EVERYTHING SOUNDS SO WONDERFUL AND EXCITING...!

  IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW

OR TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION?

Yes! As one brother put it, "Serving where the need is great is not one big long tropical island vacation! When you are really helping out, it is very hard work!!  Since  the Dominican Republic is a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, it is good to consider carefully every aspect of what life will be like here, especially if you have a family and are coming here permanently."

There are the many hours of learning the language, looking things up in the dictionary, memorizing presentations from the Reasoning book, struggling in the beginning to talk to the people in a new language! Preparing for the meetings and commenting in this new language!

Mature brothers coming to serve here, ELDERS are reduced to the level of a three year old when trying to communicate! This can be a real test.  But the majority of all who have come feel it was all well worth it!   Some brothers have come not knowing a word of Spanish and within a short time of a year, or two or three, have found themselves presiding elders of a congregation and giving public talks (in Spanish)

Once you know the language there's the hard work and joy of helping others in the congregation with their talks....preparing for the ministry....inviting local brothers and sisters and new ones over for up-building association and helping all your Bible students to reach their spiritual goals one by one so they can dedicate their lives to Jehovah and get baptized!