Last year the Jungle Bay family (owners, staff & guests) generously contributed $53,000 EC dollars as a seed grant to begin the development of a community operated facility for indigent children with severe disabilities from Dominica's southeast. The government of Dominica was impressed by the community's commitment and donated over one acre of land for the project. Several other local entities and community members have since made contributions and in November 2007 the fund-raising committee reached its first goal of $100,000EC dollars which was the benchmark to begin construction of the "special needs" home. We are proud to report that physical construction of the House of Hope commenced on December 2, 2007. The House of Hope should be completed within a year if funds are forthcoming. The total net projected cost of construction of the House of Hope is estimated at $500,000 EC or $200,000 US dollars. This figure takes into account that much of the labor is being donated by the people of the community. This spring (2008) the Jungle Bay family and community friends donated an additional $35,000 EC towards the project to keep the construction going....

The House of Hope Center will eventually have 3 main facility sections as follows:

PHASE I - A 12-Bed Facility for Disabled Orphan Children
This is to be completed by December 2008
Estimated Cost: $330,000 EC
Fundraising to Date: $135,000 has been raised ($115,000 EC by Jungle Bay affiliated sources - guests staff and owners & $20,000 EC by the local community).

PHASE II - A Facility for Indigent Elderly Persons
Dominica has the highest number of Centurians in the world however with HIV and other social issues there are often no family members available to care for the elders in the communities.

PHASE III - A Safe Home for Battered Women and Children in Crisis
Many women and children who suffer from domestic violence and abuse have nowhere to turn for a safe and caring environment. This facility will provide support and protection for those in need from communities within the southeast of Dominica.