1. A Story of
Systemic Change

2. A few years ago, the Ocoa River community
in the Dominican Republic was plagued by :
• Thousands of Infant Deaths
• Chronic hunger
• Depression

3. • People scarcely existed
• Children did not go to school
• Families could not even help each other

4. The local missionary priest was a Visionary; he:
• Realized poverty is not considered inevitable
• Listened to the voices of the people
• Analyzed the local reality and designed a plan to redirect water from nearby
mountains
• Shared the vision with the local community

5. Twinning from Society of St. Vincent
de Paul, USA generated revenue.

6. The Work Began:
• Members of the local community provided the labor
• The government approved the project
• Started small—5 villages at a time
• Aqueducts and pipelines were built connecting water systems

7. • Now, water flows to 100 villages
• The community is healthy
• All have water
• Crops are growing
• Irrigation systems are in place
• Children go to school

8. One Hundred villages emerged from poverty
through the collaboration of a visionary priest,
the local community and the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul.

9. Systemic Change Strategies Implemented:
• Poverty not considered inevitable • Promoted community solidarity
• Design flowed from Vincentian Values • Shared vision
• Profound respect for local culture
• Vision addressed serious human need
• Self-sustaining and holistic

10. “Let justice roll down the
mountainside and God’s
impartial love be an ever
flowing stream.”
Amos 5:24