About

Santa Amador (Clary)

I was born in the rural village of Las Barias near the Haitian border. My childhood was not normal as I was terribly sick and my parents, due to a lack of knowledge and funds, never took me to the doctor.
At age 7, I was well enough to begin school and immediately, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.
My family moved to La Saona Bani when I was 11 in order find some source of income. As soon as we settled in La Saona, I integrated myself into the local church where I started helping out with the youngest children. At age 13, my father told me that he could not continue to support me, so I went to look for work.
Everything changed when I found my position at the Elizabeth Seton Center. I worked for Sister Catherine and she encouraged me to continue my education after high school.
My father was totally against me going to the university and was clear that at I should not count on him for any type of help. But I was determined.
Through her network, Sister Catherine connected me with people who wished to support young people striving for a college education. This was of greatest value to me.
I started full-time, in and out of Santo Domingo each day, but it was too expensive and I needed to work. I cut down to part-time, but the problems got bigger when I married and had children. Sometimes I had to suspend semesters or take time off. My oldest daughter was born with many difficulties and only I could care for her.
Eventually, I returned to the university and completed my undergradute degree in early childhood education. I am now getting ready to return for my Master’s degree.
Why did you want to work with children in low-resource areas?
When I started in the Center I did it out of necessity, but today I do it to move my community forward, to give those children what their parents can not give them.

Did you have a role model?
Sister Catherine was my guide. She was affectionate, kind, sincere, with a heart full of love to give to her neighbor. She believed that women should strive for education. She pushed me.

What was your biggest hurdle?
My biggest difficulty was when my father denied me help, but with the help of my husband and Sr. Catherine, I remained firm in what I wanted.

How did you finish your studies?
With the help of many...my mother, my children, Olga Soto, a great friend and Tehany Duverge, our director – I got emotional and economic support. I understood that adversity can overwhelm you or you can get up and fight. Everything that happened led me to be the woman I am today -- a survivor.

What adjectives describe you?
Intelligent, collaborative, brave warrior.

What do you care about most?
My integrity and the physical and emotional wellbeing of others.

Ruth Jasmin Riediger (Jasmin)

I was born in 1986 in Ilesha Oya, Nigeria to a German father named Dieter and a Nigerian mother named Esther. My parents’ romance blossomed during one of my father’s safaris to my mother’s hometown. When I was a baby, my parents decided to purchase a piece of property on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic (Boca Canasta) hoping to be part of the burgeoning tourist industry. Due to a poor road system and persistant poverty, this area of the DR has never become a tourist destination.
After several years, we met three Sisters of Charity from Halifax, Canada (Catherine, Peggy and Roberta) working in the DR. They had been unable to find a safe place to accommodate volunteers venturing to the poor areas of Bani. Before too long, groups founded by Rev. Patricia McIlWain and Dr. James McIlWain and later, Dr. Bill Maher and his wife Dawn, began making frequent service trips to Bani, using Boca Canasta as home base.
For years I went with the Sisters and the groups on dental and medical “opertivos” both at the Elizabeth Seton Center and out to rural villages. While a strong friendship emerged, the Center became my second home and my drive to study medicine.
Throughout medical school I continued to assist and translate for volunteers at the Center. When it came time for my mandatory service to obtain my medical license, I requested placement at the Center.
My specialty is OB/GYN and my greatest dream is to ensure that all babies are born into a safe, stable and loving home.

Why did you want to work with children in low-resource areas?
I grew up seeing the kindness the Sisters gave to the poorest people of our country, seeing the McIlwains and the Mahers giving up their time to help the people and especially the children. That made me decide to become a doctor so I can continue that legacy.

What were your biggest difficulties?
My biggest hardship was when my father turned his back on my mom and we had to figure out how to live independently.

Adjectives that people might use to describe you?
I like to think I am intelligent, a hard worker, humble, kind, responsible, reliable and sincere.

What do you care most about?
I care most of my mom, my adoptive family and the chance to give back to the Elizabeth Seton Center.

Estella

Estella was one of the first graduates from a course for healthcare workers that Sister Catherine gave in a rural village outside of Bani in 1970. Estella then became the resident nurse for the rural village that she grew up in. She also participated with Sister Catherine as a radio school teacher in the small villages within Bani. She taught math to 7th & 8th graders. After this experience she began to work with Sister Catherine in the areas of women's rights, education and faith. Sister Catherine's unfaltering energy gives inspiration to Estella to continue her community social work. Estella, a survivor of a brain tumor and open heart surgery, continues her work in the La Saona community.

Maribel

Maribel was a single mother who sought out services for her malnourished child, Esmirna. She attended the center everyday with Esmirna to learn as much as she could about proper nutrition. Sister Catherine witnessed her incredible commitment and potential as a leader. Maribel was recruited as a substitute childcare worker at the center. Although she was never able to gain a formal education, Maribel has worked for the Elizabeth Seton Center for two decades, and currently manages the morning staff and nutrition services.