Spanish
Madrid, Spain. – The Banreservas Volunteer Program released the book Stories of Dominican Life and Goodwill in Spain, a work that collects the testimonies of 34 Dominican women who have made Spain their home, highlighting stories of overcoming, effort and commitment to their families and their identity.
The activity took place at the facilities of the Banreservas Representation Office in Madrid, during a meeting with members of the Dominican diaspora, and was led by Dr. Carmen Alicia Quijano de Aguilera, president of the Banreservas Volunteer Program.
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During his words, Quijano de Aguilera referred to the diaspora as the exodus that some Dominican women undertook towards Spain: "a journey to grow in the best way, advance in knowledge and make their qualities a company." The president of the Volunteer group expressed that some women arrived as professionals and with their knowledge to strengthen their goal; others started from scratch, without a profession, being housewives, providing their services in hotels or taking care of children. "It's hard work, where embarking on this path is costly: You have to leave behind family, your own homeland and friendships. Today they are great businesswomen; where they leave everything behind. That is being brave," highlighted Quijano de Aguilera. He also highlighted: "We must not forget who we are and who we will be to go far and transmit our own experience, demonstrating that yes, you can go further!" The book addresses issues such as decent work, study, entrepreneurship, sending remittances even in complex economic contexts, and the sense of belonging that does not fade with distance. Likewise, solidarity is highlighted as a cross-cutting value present in each testimony. Quijano de Aguilera thanked Banreservas for its support of this and other social initiatives promoted by the Volunteer Group, noting that accompanying the diaspora helps transform individual effort into collective well-being and strengthen the ties between the Dominican Republic and its communities abroad. The author of the book, journalist Indhira O. Lora de Fernández, thanked the Banreservas Volunteer Program for supporting the publication and for disseminating the valuable work of Dominican women abroad, highlighting the dignity, perseverance, and capacity for self-improvement reflected in the collected stories. The editorial piece collects the stories of Damaris Segura, Eligia Aquino, Ery Francisca Reyes, Esmerlin Hernández, Eugenia García, Fiordaliza Mercedes, Juana Emilia Germán, Julia Maribel Correa, Keuri Méndez, Leonela Báez, Meleanchys Bernabel, Saira Catalina Mota, Sandra Batista, Yanelis Vilas, Yris Sisa, Yudelka Tania Pérez, Alfonsina Isidor, Carmen Elena Aguilera, Crismeidy Ureña, Isabella Fernández, Lluvia Marchena, Neyvi Tolentino, Taina Almodóvar, Thelma Khunhart, Virginia Read Escobal, Carla Jovine, Eduvigis Ortiz, Fátima “Mary” de los Santos Duval, Jeannette Alfau, Lucy Suazo, Maribel Santos, Raquel Fernández, Sachenka Santos and Yesenia Valle, women who shared their life experiences as a source of inspiration and a testament to overcoming adversity. The book's launch took place within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), as part of the activities accompanying the Dominican presence in this important international setting. With this initiative, the Banreservas Volunteer Program reaffirms its commitment to promote projects that make visible the contribution of the Dominican diaspora, strengthen cultural identity, and promote values of solidarity, inclusion, and human development.
