Meet Magnolia Jiménez
Magnolia Jiménez Lebrón is 22 years old. She lives with her husband, Sandy, and their two children, ages 4 and 2. She was born in La Florida and has been living in the Buena Vista community for six years.
She currently does not work outside the home, as she dedicates herself to household duties and caring for her children, while her husband works as a day laborer. Magnolia lives in a home in very poor condition—a small room with no bathroom and no nearby access to drinking water. When it rains, water leaks into the house, making her situation even more difficult.
She came to Buena Vista after being a victim of physical abuse by her ex-husband, which forced her to leave her place of birth to protect her life. For Magnolia, the most difficult part has been not being able to have a home of her own that is safe and dignified.
She says her life would change positively if she could obtain adequate housing, as it would provide safety and comfort for her children. She expresses her gratitude in advance to everyone who collaborates to help families living in situations similar to hers.
Altagracia de la Rosa
Altagracia de la Rosa Ramírez was born in La Florida and has lived in Buena Vista for over 20 years. She lives with her four children and is a homemaker, taking care of her daily household responsibilities.
It is very difficult for her to provide daily sustenance for her children, as her husband passed away. Altagracia longs for a better life, a dignified home, and a more stable income that would allow her to ensure daily food for her family.
She arrived in Buena Vista fleeing the abuse she suffered from her ex-husband. Upon arriving, a local official donated a plot of land to her and helped her build a small house, which is now in poor condition, lacking proper flooring and facing many deficiencies.
Altagracia shares that one of her greatest achievements has been escaping abuse and raising her children with the little she has. The most difficult part of her life has been not having safe housing and a better quality of life. She feels very grateful for the help she has received and sends many blessings to everyone who contributes their small share to help people with limited resources.
Meet your Team Leader
Otoniel Suero
Otoniel M. Suero Escalante is from San Juan de la Maguana and began working with Bridges as a Volunteer Coordinator in February 2023. He brings over six years of experience working with North American volunteer groups across the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Canada.
Additionally, Oto has held various summer positions in the United States, spending time in Virginia and North Carolina. What he enjoys most about working with Bridges is supporting others as they create positive change in their lives and building meaningful connections with volunteers.
Otoniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is also trained as a certified medical and simultaneous interpreter. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and hiking.
Randy Bautista
Randy Esteban Bautista is a 37-year-old Dominican native from San Juan de la Maguana. He holds a degree in Basic Education and brings over 10 years of experience working with Solid Rock International, where he served as an interpreter and Construction Area Coordinator. In this role, he led and supported multiple groups of American volunteers on construction projects, ensuring smooth communication and successful execution on the ground.
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Randy is known for his open-minded attitude, strong sense of responsibility, and willingness to learn. He embraces new challenges daily and views mistakes not as setbacks, but as valuable steps toward growth and excellence (and yes, lessons learned the hard way tend to stick best!).
About the Community
San Juan de la Maguana is located in the western region of the Dominican Republic and sits in a broad valley surrounded by mountain ranges. Known as the country’s agricultural heartland, approximately 85% of the province’s land is dedicated to farming, particularly beans, rice, and corn. The region’s fertile soil and open plains make it a vital contributor to the Dominican Republic’s food supply.
The climate is generally hot and sunny, with average daytime temperatures around 85°F (29°C). Due to its elevation and surrounding mountains, evenings tend to be cooler, especially after sunset. Rainfall is seasonal, resulting in lush, green landscapes during the rainy months and drier conditions at other times of the year.
San Juan is a predominantly rural province with limited infrastructure, simpler accommodations, and fewer commercial amenities. Visitors should be prepared for basic conditions, intermittent electricity, and limited internet access.