LEFT: A Photo of Lynne Moquete with Elle, the foreman for the house project in La Descubierta.


Our Mission


It is the mission of Building Homes Building Hope (BHBH) to provide individuals the opportunity to travel to developing countries, specifically but not limited to, the Dominican Republic, in order to build homes; and to establish a cross-cultural connection and a global awareness amongst members of the community.

What We Do
Building Homes Building Hope participants leave their comfortable American surroundings to spend two weeks working in rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Their exposure to another culture encourages them to learn more about themselves and experience how people live in developing nations.

Building Homes Building Hope students and adults live with host families during their stay, immersing themselves in the culture, conversing in Spanish, and sharing daily activities with local residents.

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and is among the poorest nations in the Caribbean. The per capita annual income is equivalent to an estimated US $6,000. The island's biggest industries are sugar and tourism.

Although individuals often say the trip's goal is to improve Dominicans' housing conditions, they also learn first-hand about the nature of poverty and how they can make a meaningful contribution when they return to their own community.


Lynne Moquete
The Building Homes Building Hope program was started by Lynne, a former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in the Dominican Republic. Moquete has a Master's Degree in Public Health and is a high school teacher in Petaluma, California. She has been recognized for her outstanding service to youth by the California State Legislature and was given an "Excellence in Education" award from the Petaluma School District and Petaluma Chamber of Commerce. She will be featured in a PBS documentary about Peace Corps Volunteers who have integrated their service into their careers.

Program History
Since the program began in 1996, more than 300 youth and adults have spent time living and working in the Dominican Republic near the Haitian border.

More than 100 families have been assisted, with American volunteers working with local residents to construct homes, kitchens, and latrines. They've also put on new roofs, installed floors, and painted buildings. As part of the trip, participants have worked in schools, hospitals and orphanages.