“Can I join you on your wedding anniversary trip to the Dominican Republic?”
That was the question that changed Community of Hope International President, Jose Ubiera’s, life forever. He was in the middle of making sale at work, when the car buyer discovered that Jose grew up in Santo Domingo. He was interested in doing humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic and when he discovered Jose and his dear wife were headed back home for their anniversary, the man inquired if he could tag along.
“He asked if I could go with him for a couple hours and show him around,” Ubiera said. “I just kinda laughed at him, like is this guy serious? But he persisted, I agreed to be a tour guide for a couple of hours and the rest is history.”
They traveled to Bayaguana, a city about an hour outside the capital of Santo Domingo to assess the needs of the small town where Ubiera’s father, Manuel, was raised. After visiting the most impoverished neighborhood in the area, Ubiera knew they had to do something to help.
“My dad had to work hard his whole life to give me the opportunities I’ve enjoyed,” Ubiera said. “We all have needs, but when I saw the living conditions of those kids, I knew I had to help. I had to give back.”
Ubiera grew up in Santo Domingo with the support of incredible parents who had sacrificed their entire lives to provide a bright future for their children. From his father’s hard work, Ubiera was able to attend private schools and universities, an opportunity not available to the majority of the Dominican population. However, Manuel made sure that his children knew where they came from.
“We went every weekend to visit my Grandpa in Bayaguana,” Ubiera said. “We went there to work, and work hard with him on his farm. I loved visiting there, connecting with my family and seeing first-hand the realities of life in the Dominican Republic.”
When the decision was made to bring a team of medical professionals to Bayaguana, Manuel located an old, abandoned building where they could begin holding the first clinics for COHI. That first trip in the humblest of circumstances set the tone for the mission of this organization.
From that first experience, Ubiera recalls the moment when an 11-year-old girl in severe condition, was brought into the clinic. What started as a tooth cavity, had grown into a life threatening infection that had exploded into a gaping hole on the side of her jaw.
“She was so terrified and didn’t want to be touched by anyone,” Ubiera recalled. “But then I saw a small miracle. A dentist who had served as a missionary for his church in the Dominican Republic was volunteering his service in the clinic. In his broken, gringo Spanish he built a connection with her, gained her trust, and saved her life.”
Infections of this type are rare and would have taken the life of this little girl within 48 hours if she had not received treatment.
“At the beginning, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but after experiences like this and seeing the changes that are happening in people, I decided I wanted to keep doing it. Every time I go to the clinic, I see someone’s life change and that makes every sacrifice worth it.”
These kinds of lasting experiences, along with the lessons he learned in his youth, have become the driving force that keeps him going. Ubiera remains committed to working with local government officials and professionals to develop the school and clinic to fit the needs of community. He knows this is still only the beginning of the impact that he wants to create in Bayaguana.
“The future for our mission in the Dominican Republic is bright. To see where we began and where we are now, is incredible. With the strong support of our sponsors and volunteers, we will continue to empower individuals to change their own lives.”
