it takes a village

NANCY BARAN, LIFELONG resident of Pequannock Township and Pequannock Township High School alumni, repeated many times over the course of her interview: “I could not do this alone.”

Baran volunteers with Mission of Hope, a nonprofit organization established through Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Pompton Plains to prepare for an annual trip to Batey Lecheria. Volunteers travel to the migrant worker camp in the Dominican Republic each year.

MAKING AN IMPACT

The Haitian refugees in the camp live in unbelievable poverty. “The residents suffer from malnutrition, preventable disease, and no access to education and healthcare” says Baran. In 2002, Msgr. Patrick J. Scott Sr. and Sister Rosemary McSorely of OLGC knew something had to be done after their visit to the camp. Medical needs must be met first, then education.

“Education in Batey Lecheria began under the shade of trees and dirt floors. A donated shipping container became the first classroom, and then a small schoolhouse was constructed,” says Baran. The school now has nearly 500 students from ages 3 to 10.

“The community’s dream is to build a two-story structure that would accommodate older students and fulfill several unmet needs: a kitchen area, proper storage, additional bathrooms and even a computer lab outfitted with donated laptops,” says Baran.

Students not only learn, but they are fed and feel safe. “In a community where families live in fragile shelters without electricity, running water or basic protection from the elements, the school has become a refuge,” she says.

Donations and fundraising are crucial. People can drop donations at the church from the time a trip ends until the next one happens. “It takes a long time to collect over 40,000 pounds of donations,” says Baran. Donated items can change from year to year, but for 2025, “the mission still needs children’s underwear, umbrellas and any supplies that can be used to sustain a school for children ages 3 to 12 or a medical clinic, like over the counter medications and bandages.”

OLGC holds a packing event in the early fall; this year it takes place Oct. 3 and 4. “It’s a huge event; we’ve had upwards of 150 adults and teens from the community volunteering,” says Baran.

Some of that packing results in the approximately 1,000 flip flops, crocs, sneakers, and water shoes brought every year. Some volunteers on the trip will leave a pair of their own shoes or work boots as good shoes often don’t last long in the muddy, tropical climate. One of the resident construction workers, Bartolo, was left with Baran’s brother-in-law Dave’s work boots, and, years later, Baran noticed Bartolo still wearing them with rubber bands holding them together.

“I knew I wanted to give him something special” she says. She gifted him her late father’s work boots. “My dad, who used to help us on packing days, would be so happy to see this” says Baran.

LASTING LEGACIES

Living conditions are difficult for residents. “The roofs are nonexistent” says Baran, “they are full of holes, and it rains so much that everything people own gets wet.” This problem inspired Raise the Roof: Shelter With Dignity.

According to Baran, this project “raises funds for weatherproof housing for families. Each roof costs just $300 to sponsor and directly improves the health, dignity and safety of one family.

Another project the mission hopes to complete is a proper playground for children. For many years, the children have played on a run down playground

that has needed much repair. “The dream for Mission of Hope is to install a safe commercial-grade playground and find a sponsor or corporate partner willing to help us—a gift that would create lasting joy for the hundreds of children growing up in the Batey” says Baran.

Uniforms are donated for children to have proper clothing for school along with a backpack and plastic lunch container—not used as one in the U.S. would think. The backpacks will hold everything the child owns and many save half of their hot lunch, carried home in the plastic container, to share with their family.

Medical donations are crucial. Baran brought antibiotic creams on a trip which treated a baby suffering with burns from the contents of a boiling pot. Another child, Benji, was discovered to be very ill as a diabetic without treatment. The mission was able to tell his story and get a sponsor to cover his treatments and medicine. Many elderly people are suffering in the region, and the mission’s healthcare workers check on them at home. Stories of tragedy have inspired so much help.

“There was a family who had nine or more family members in one tiny shed. One mattress, albeit in terrible conditions, is common on the dirt floors. The rains leak through the roof and cover the floors. With infant twins, the family put up plywood for the babies to sleep on and stay dry. Sadly, a piece of plywood broke and one of the twins fell and died” says Baran. After reading about the baby and Misson of Hope’s goal of collecting portable pack and plays in the infant’s memory, community member Carol Gabel was inspired and has been supporting the mission ever since.

Michael was a boy Baran met when he was just nine and had escaped Haiti. He’s now a 27-year-old thriving man working in the city. Michael is like another son to Nancy, and the Barans consider him part of their family.

With donated equipment, children in the region have access to soccer leagues and training for all ages through 18. “This keeps the kids off the streets with the help of a partner organization called Café con Leche,” says Baran.

Baran is thankful for local partner organizations such as Quilting for a Cause (handmade quilts) and Brandon’s Heart and Sole (new socks) for their donations. “Residents are so appreciative of these gifts, thank us and smile, it’s wonderful” says Baran.

The donations are a great way for everyone to help. Volunteers are also needed to make the trip each year.

“While the community is so appreciative of all the presents we bring to help sustain the school and clinic, by far it is our physical ‘presence’ that makes the most impact, particularly on the children and the elderly,” says Baran. Those who go on the trip often repeat the visit. “Travelers call it a life-changing experience,” says Baran, who enjoys seeing the trip through new sets of travelers’ eyes each year.

Something that touches most who travel to Batey is how amazed and happy the children are despite having so little. “One person helping us makes all the difference, your small actions matter,” says Baran. Volunteers describe the experience as rewarding and walk away realizing you don’t need a lot to be happy.

Baran credits her sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Dave Laumbach who led the mission at OLGC church for many years until relocating to Colorado.

“They inspired me to take my first trip and I’ve gone every year since,” she says. “I never imagined that one trip would have me hooked. When you see the difference we are able to make bringing hope to this community, it’s hard to imagine how we could ever stop.”

Baran led the group once the Laumbachs moved to Colorado to ensure their legacy and hard work continued.

“You don’t have to be a part of OLG Church or even from Pompton Plains to help. Anyone can take part in the mission,” says Baran. All the efforts combine in order for 24 to 30 volunteers to take the trip to Batey Lecheria every 12 to 18 months. The group is made up of adults and youth.

Baran says the charity is like a second full time job but so rewarding. “I could not do this alone; it takes a village, and I am so grateful for all the members of Mission of Hope, our generous community and businesses. The challenge is that we’ve grown so big it’s a lot to keep up with. Anne Moore of Pompton Plains has helped a great deal, co-leading many of our communications, packing day and fundraising events. There are so many others, too many to list! Chris Cassel and his wife Rosa from town have traveled as a family with their two children on two occasions. He is responsible for a wonderful documentary video.

When Baran is not working her full time job or helping with the mission, Beautiful connections are made on the trip. Photographs courtesy Mission Of Hope. she enjoys spending time with her husband Ron, children Kellie, Amanda, Courtney and Kevin and of course, the family dogs, labrador retrievers, Bailey and Brody. She enjoys gardening, camping, floral design, and travel.

She feels her desire to volunteer stems from her parents, Roger and Dorothy Lynch who taught by example with their involvement in OLGC church and fostering many babies for Catholic charities while raising their seven children and running a family business. Clearly, multi-tasking and helping others runs in the family.

“This mission would not be possible without the support of the OLGC parish, our local communities and businesses, and of course, the volunteers who are so giving of their time and talent,” says Baran.

BY NANCY BARAN