Back in September 2020, we officially closed on the purchase of our new property to build a new campus in the Dominican Republic. In three phases, we’ll create more space and opportunities for families in our community to receive access to education, employment and to be empowered to live a full life.
Phase one is underway with the construction of primary school classrooms, artisan workshops, and staff offices. After much rain delay from November to December, ground officially broke and the construction crew has surpassed our expectations as they’re now ahead of our projected completion date. Over 70 men have been employed to contribute to building our new campus, some of who are parents of students in our schools.
See the timeline of the construction below.
September – Official Celebration of the purchasing the new property. Pictured (L to R): Eduardo, Xiomara, Karly, Orlina, Kirk, Nancy, Rod, Josh, Rosangela, Lys, GenesisOctober 30 – After the brush was cleared, the excavators level the ground and prepare for the next step.December 10 – A final survey of the property is conducted.
December 17 – Ground is officially broken and they began digging to prepare the foundations for the school, office, and workshop buildings. December 30 – Digging is complete and rebar framing begins.
January 22 – Framing of the school’s classrooms (right) starts and the office building’s (left) walls are well underway.
January 28 – The walls of the office (left) are complete and work on the roof begins. The walls of the classrooms (right) are in the beginning stages of construction.
February 11 – The walls of the first floor school (right) is nearly complete and they begin framing the covered walkway that runs in front of the classrooms. Work continues on the roof of the office building (left) and window and door frames are stuccoed.
February 19 – The crew begins applying stucco to the outside of the office building and the roof is nearly complete. The walls of the cafeteria begin. The floor of the second floor of the school is in progress and preparations for the walls begin.
February 26 – The inside walls and ceilings of the office building are stuccoed. Preparations for the second floor of the school walls and floors continue. We have our first team visit to the new campus and begin writing verses on the walls to proclaim God’s Truth and promises over the classrooms, students, teachers, parents, staff, and workshops.
March 5 – The office building is prepped for plumbing and electrical and the ground is leveled in preparation for cement floors. We begin to see the base of walls for the second floor of the school.
March 11 – The prep work for the floors in the office building is complete. The cafeteria walls are stuccoed. Progress continues on the walls of the second floor of the school and stuccoing on the outside walls of the first floor begins.
March 18 – The second floor walls of the school are nearly complete. Cement floors are poured in the Vida Plena workshops and begin in the offices. Stuccoing on the outside walls of the school’s first floor continues. The roof of the cafeteria is in progress. We begin collecting verses from our community of supporters to add to the walls.
March 25 – The second floor walls are complete and they’ve moved on to preparing the roof. The first floor is stuccoed and the floors are prepped for cement to be poured. Classrooms are coming to life! The cafeteria roof is in progress. Cement floors are poured in the workshops, bathrooms, and main offices. Bathroom stall walls are in and plumbing is in progress for the sinks and the toilets.
April 9 – The school’s second floor walls and ceilings are being stuccoed. The foundation for the stairs are in and the roof is well under way. Classrooms are also being stuccoed and electrical outlets are being marked. Bathrooms on the first floor and second are also in progress. The cafeteria roof and walls are finished.
April 15 – The second floor walls and ceilings are being stuccoed. The foundation for the stairs are in and the roof is nearly finished. The stucco process is continuing in the classrooms. Bathrooms on the first floor and second are also in progress. The first coat of paint starts on the exterior of the office/workshop building.
April 22 – The school walls and ceilings are approaching being 100% stuccoed. The foundation for the stairs are in and the roof is nearly finished. The classroom walls and ceilings are primed for paint. Bathrooms on the first and second floor are also in progress. The second coat of paint starts on the exterior of the office/workshop building and interior walls are primed.
May 12 – All exterior and interior walls and ceilings are being primed for paint. Floors in the office/workshop building and interior walls are prepped for tile. Classroom cement floors are poured. Plumbing and electric are being installed.
May 19 – All exterior and interior priming is complete. Floors in the office/workshop building and interior walls are being for tiled. Classroom cement floors are poured. Plumbing and electric installation continues.
May 26 – Floors in the office/workshop are tiled and bathroom tiling is in progress. Classroom cement floors continue to be poured and sealed. Plumbing and electric installation continues. Cement is poured in the courtyard area between the school and offices/workshops. Exterior paint colors are chosen.
June 7 – Courtyard cement is complete and areas for trees is prepared. Exterior paint is in progress. Cement for the front parking lot is poured.
June 15 – Vida Plena workshops are completed. Fans are installed in Vida Plena and staff offices. The staff kitchen and bathrooms are completed. Exterior paint and cosmetic work continues. Prep work for the basketball court begins.
July 21 – All of our teams have moved operations to the new campus. Organization and setting up classrooms, offices, and workshops is still under way. Plants and trees are planted. Stairs are completed. The cement for the basketball court has been poured. Air conditioning, lighting, and fans have all been installed. Teachers have started preparing their classrooms. Work continues in the school’s bathrooms.
August 3 – Classrooms continue to be prepared by teachers and teacher trainings are taking place. Bathrooms on the first and second floor completed. Outdoor lighting, the flag pole and security cameras are installed. Set up of the library is in progress. More fans are being purchased to install in classrooms. The waiting areas and entry way of the school offices have been decorated. The exterior main entrance is tiled. The all-purpose court was painted this week (with lines for soccer, basketball, and volleyball) and the first official game of soccer took place. A garden is built and prepared for students to plant this fall behind the school.
It has been incredible to witness not only the construction progress, but the funding progress as well. Fundraising more than $250,000 is no small feat and we are grateful and amazed at the generosity of the donors who have allowed us to reach 265,258.60 (or 106%) funded. We’re so excited for the grand opening of our campus this fall as we start a new school year for Hope Academy and invite more women to be part of the Vida Plena team. Meanwhile, you can support our new campus in two ways: 1. Give a gift from our Impact Catalog or 2. Learn more about our building project.
3 years ago 
