A Life-Changing Experience

Millikin students help improve quality of life for village in Dominican Republic

A Life-Changing Experience

It's a strategic plan that is so much more than a plan, it's a way to help real people in real conditions.

For six years, Millikin University business students, under the guidance of Dr. Larry Stapleton, professor of management, have been traveling to the Dominican Republic to learn and engage in social entrepreneurship. Recently, students in Dr. Stapleton's international business course teamed up with Decatur-based church New Beginnings to help make a small village in the Dominican Republic a better place.

Millikin Dominican Republic

The village, called El Mango Limpio, has a growing population of approximately 400 people and is located just over two hours away from the resort community of Punta Cana. While the village maybe near a resort community, it is years away from the amenities which most of us consider to be essentials. Though signs of poverty are visible, the community is full of happy people who embrace a rich culture and is known for having lush vegetation. New Beginnings has a mission to help the area residents and developed a church in the village.

In November 2013, Dr. Stapleton was approached by Dan Watkins, a 1989 Millikin business administration graduate and pastor at New Beginnings Church, about developing a business plan to help El Mango Limpio. Dr. Stapleton saw this project as an opportunity to promote the University's focus on Performance Learning by including his students in the plan.

"We had been working on the Millikin Microfinance Fund for four years in the Dominican Republic, helping support women entrepreneurs in poor economic situations," Stapleton said. "Dan came up with the idea to build an internet cafe for the village so it would be convenient for students to do their homework in the village, rather than travel long distance to another area that offers internet and other resources."

Millikin Dominican Republic

In fall of 2014, during their international business course (Business in the Dominican Republic), Millikin students and New Beginnings put the internet cafe business idea into full effect. The cafe will offer internet access, school supplies and computer training lessons to students and members of the community. The cafe will add two jobs when the facility is complete.

"It took some time to get the information that we needed, but once we got there everything fell into place," said Carina Brenner, a senior digital media marketing major from San Jose, Calif. "We saw a different side of poverty that you wouldn't normally see."

Millikin Dominican Republic

Dan Watkins noted, "Part of my thinking, from a sustainability standpoint, is that this is a way to help provide jobs and provide some money. With Millikin's research, we're finding ways to help the village save money and build an economy."

In January 2015, Millikin students spent eight days in the Dominican Republic becoming acclimated to the culture of the village. The students took the opportunity to interview local villagers and work on logistics concerning internet connections and computers for the cafe.

Millikin Dominican Republic

"On average, the people of the village are making somewhere between 300 to 700 pesos a day," Stapleton said. "One trip for a student to do homework is costing 250 pesos, and what we found is a way to do it for 80 pesos. By reducing the cost of anywhere between 33 to 77 percent, it puts disposable income back into the community. It allows for a more consistent internet experience."