Raymond Titus, a staff accountant in the SEC’s Boston Regional Office, recently returned from an outreach program to help Haitian families who work in the sugarcane industry in the Dominican Republic. This was his fourth trip to help Haitian migrants living there.

Four years ago, Ray and other members of his church went to San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic to see how they could help. Because of poverty and political unrest in Haiti, many Haitian migrants leave Haiti and work in the sugarcane fields in the Dominican Republic. There, they cut sugar cane, working long hours for low wages. These migrant workers live in company towns (called bateyes), which consist of a small collection of houses and barracks near the sugarcane plantations; many bateyes lack basic services.

On Ray’s initial trip to the Dominican Republic four years ago, he and other volunteers brought two tons of rice and beans to modest churches within the bateyes. They handed out toiletries and care packages to the people assembled there. Because it was their first trip, they did not know how much food to bring, so they often ran out. Of course, with each mission since, they have been able to more accurately gauge their needs and have been better prepared. Last year, they had enough food for everyone in the bateyes they visited. In the past, their group also has built benches, painted classrooms, provided school supplies, and assisted in starting a sewing business.

This year, Ray and seven other volunteers were on their mission from July 8 to the 14th.  A local pastor in the Dominican Republic arranged for food, shelter and transportation for the group. This year, they again concentrated on providing food and supplies to Haitians living in four bateyes near the city of San Pedro de Macoris as well as school supplies to a local church.

In the last few years, the church Ray attends also has donated computers to a local church in the bateyes so that it can start a primary school once it has enough computers. Because the Haitians who originally lived in the bateyes were not documented immigrants, their children have often been denied citizenship. Without citizenship papers, these children of Haitian immigrants cannot go to school nor can they receive the benefits of other public services. 

Ray recently told Chapter 293 Works that he is a Union member at the SEC because “I believe it is important to have a professional advocacy group looking out for my best interest. As a member of NTEU I have professionals such as attorneys, labor specialists, and stewards working on issues that affect my work life at the SEC. With the Union there is strength in numbers.” 

Clearly, Ray and his church are looking out for the best interest of the Haitian migrants that they serve. These missions have helped Ray put his life into perspective and helped him realize how rich (and often overfed) we are as Americans. Discussing the ingenuity and spirit of one Haitian boy he met, Raymond mentions how happy the boy was to play with a toy car made from an orange juice container and bottle caps for wheels. We applaud Ray’s work.

If you are interested in learning more about Ray’s work and how you could help, email Ray at [email protected] or visit his church’s website at www.sharonchurch.net/ministries.html.