History

The DREAM Project, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, began its current work in 2003. But our story and guiding philosophy go back over a decade to the founding of Iguana Mama, a small mountain bike and adventure tourism company that set the stage for what is now the DREAM Project. Iguana Mama, from 1993 to 2002, made and lived up to a bold statement when eco-tourism was not well known in the Dominican Republic and Americans did not know where the Dominican Republic was.

"Iguana Mama was formed with the vision of becoming a national pride and asset. Unlike most tour operators, 20% of our income goes towards local schools and parks. We hope that the example we set will encourage others to help preserve our beautiful country. Our multilingual employees are local residents who are dedicated to helping preserve and protect our countryside and culture. Iguana Mama is actively involved in the education of the local children."

A very small mountain biking company was able to bring real change to the community of Cabarete and the surrounding province of Puerto Plata on the North Coast. Teaming up with other American philanthropists who had been attracted to the beauty of the country, three libraries were built in local schools and bathrooms were built where there had been only one latrine for 400 kids. A volunteer program, set up at Dartmouth College, brought volunteers for three-month stints to work with local children in the libraries; tourists brought books and school supplies and received 25% discounts on tours.

Very quickly, at a time when eco-tourism was booming, Iguana Mama''s story attracted every major periodical including the New York Times, the London Times, National Geographic, Outside and Bicycling magazines. Iguana Mama won the hearts and trust of the local community.

The owner of Iguana Mama, Tricia Thorndike Suriel, sold the company in 2002 and with a small group of visionary clients they created a nonprofit organization, the DREAM (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring) Project, to undertake the next phase of their work. Tricia now serves as executive director of the DREAM Project. In 2003, the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo recognized her with the Distinguished American Citizen Award for her "tireless efforts on behalf of the Dominican people."