The Batey or "slum" is inhabited by mostly Haitian refugees who migrated to the Dominican Republic to work in the sugar cane fields.  Automation and the advent of artificial sweeteners doomed the work for these peasants.  Thus, they could only do what they could to survive.  Without citizenship now in EITHER the Dominican Republic or Haiti, they were relegated to the slums.

 The plight of these people is almost beyond belief to the normal inhabitant of an industrialized country.  No running water, little work or food, zero sanitation, untold medical issues, and living is absolute deplorable conditions, they struggle to survive.

 Terrible issues plague every Batey.  One of the bright spots is the Sewing studio started by Albert Pujols to provide work and income. We were shown an area of a proposed bakery which would not only provide work, income, but food and a sustainable opportunity.  Moved by all of this, the R. H. Crossland Foundation immediately pledged assistance and the funds to finalize the building of the bakery AND a 3 year pledge of $100,000 to continue the work started by Albert Pujols.