SANTO DOMINGO.- Banco BHD signed a cooperation agreement with the Red Misericordia Foundation with the aim of promoting a positive transformation in the physical, mental, academic, social and spiritual development of adolescent mothers in vulnerable conditions.
Through this agreement, the financial institution contributes to the "Vision Hope" and "Life" programs, developed by the non-profit organization located in Santiago de los Caballeros.
The announcement was made by Josefina Navarro, senior vice president of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility at Banco BHD, and Olga Noboa de Arocha, president of the Red de Misericordia Foundation.
Jennifer Pérez, Olga Noboa de Arocha, Josefina Navarro and Kirssys Abreu. (External source).
Navarro stated that “teenage pregnancies are a scourge on our society. We are committed to protecting the rights of our children and adolescents and seek to promote their holistic development in dignified environments. We value these programs that provide support to young mothers and their babies, ensuring their safety, health, and overall development, while also encouraging breastfeeding.”.
Olga Noboa de Arocha expressed her gratitude to BHD for their support and commitment to the Red de Misericordia Foundation, "with our Vision Hope and Life programs we seek to reduce the maternal, youth and neonatal mortality rate through education and guidance on their protection with an effort added to an infrastructure of care and comprehensive restoration of the victims.".
Red de Misericordia is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive protection and care to children and adolescents who are in vulnerable conditions and/or are victims of abuse.
A project to assist pregnant teenagers
The outpatient program Vida contributes to the restoration of the psychosocial and emotional security of pregnant adolescents, providing vocational training for their future employment. Visión de Esperanza is a residential program, the first of its kind in the country, operating in partnership with the Public Prosecutor's Office to receive, seek protection for, and provide comprehensive reparations to pregnant adolescents who are victims of incest. It has helped more than 1,300 children and adolescents, currently housing approximately 150 children from newborns to 17 years old.
From 2021 to October 2023, the Red Misericordia Foundation has reintegrated 282 children into society, creating a family structure for them or connecting them to their original family structure.
Statistics indicate that the Dominican Republic is among the countries with the highest rate of pregnant adolescents (34%) and with a high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality, a risk that arises from malnutrition, lack of hygiene, ignorance regarding the care and medical attention required during pregnancy.
