About
Shine The Light Initiative is a non-profit organization founded by Winnipeg dentist Brent Wong and his wife Wendy, formed to walk alongside people facing poverty and hardship around the world—not just meeting immediate needs, but building the foundation for lasting, generational change.
Unlike most charitable organizations, Shine the Light believes a cause can be effectively run through the dedication of gifted volunteers alone. This means nearly every dollar donated goes directly toward the communities we serve, not toward administrative overhead.
All funds raised go toward sustaining and expanding our community centre programs in El Javillar, including job training, education, and youth development, as well as building homes for families in need. By investing directly in these on-the-ground programs, every dollar helps break the cycle of poverty and create a difference for years to come.
Our focus at this juncture is on the north shore of the Dominican Republic and more particularly in the area around Puerto Plata. We have worked in the barrio of Agua Negra (recently renamed Nuevo Renacer, meaning new re-birth) in Puerto Plata and the villages of Ascension, Cangreo, Nazareth and others. Today we are focusing our attention in the village of El Javillar, Puerto Plata.
We work with a number of Dominican and Haitian professionals to ensure that our efforts are expended in the areas in which they will have the largest impact.
How The Trips Work
Home Building
The construction teams financially provide the materials and physically assist the local workers in the construction of in-fill homes for area residents whose homes have deteriorated to the point of being dilapidated or have been destroyed by time, extreme weather or flooding.
Dental Clinics
Brent and his dental team provide free dental clinics to the locals. They perform fillings, extractions, cleanings and even some dental implants! At least once and often twice per year a Winnipeg denturist joins the group and provides dentures to locals who have been missing teeth for many years.
Community Centre
Each STLi group spend time at the community centre teaching job skills, English, and hosting children's programs. Group members lead workshops, mentor local youth, and help run classes that give the locals practical, certified skills, creating opportunities for lasting income long after the team returns home.
Although these are the highlights of the missions trips, we continue to seek out new and challenging opportunities to provide further assistance wherever possible.
See the Transformation For Yourself
Before
After