Rio Sosúa, Dominican Republic

SOMONCA, a private, nonprofit, ecological foundation, is located in Sosua Puerto Plata Province in the Dominican Republic. The Ecological Foundation was legally recognized and approved by the court in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, according ministerial No.184786 dated 30.01.2005. The objective of our organization is to promote understanding and cooperation with respect to ecological issues and everything connected with them to in order to protect and retain favorable natural resources for the public, especially in the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

These efforts are undertaken through education, television programs and other conservation-oriented activities including reforestation programs with schools, hotels, churches and associations. At this point, the most important project for SOMONCA is to clean the river Sosua. This beautiful river (see photos above) has developed into one of the dirtiest rivers in the Dominican Republic. We feel a responsibility to work with the Dominican people to clean up the river using an effective French technique for water purification to ensure that only clean water flows into the Atlantic Ocean from the Sosua River. This is essential because the pollution from the river is destroying the corals in Sosua Bay and beyond. This project is designed to stop the destruction and allow the coral reefs to reestablish themselves, along with all of the other affected marine life, while at the same time working toward ensuring that the entire Sosua River is a source of clean water for the residents and for the environment. Through an extensive reforestation program, we will be working to restore the river to a pristine condition.

This project is very important not only because of the impact it will have on the Sosua Bay coral population and the individuals depending on the river for sustenance, but also because SOMONCA wishes to position this project as a pilot demonstrating that this system and technique can be used for all Dominican rivers without large investments. Please donate to this important cause. If you want something tangible in return, you can buy a beautiful painting from the art gallery of classic paintings by Dutch Painter and long-time Dominican resident, Garry Kooy, who will donate a significant portion of painting sales to support this important project.. Read more about Project Clean Rio Sosua.