Macario Advantage

The key objective of Macario Advantage is to achieve the biggest positive impact possible on the greatest number of people served. Macario Advantage works with the leadership of local humanitarian organizations to fully understand the key issues and challenges that they face on a daily basis, and then brainstorm with them about how Macario Advantage can help to upgrade their facilities to meet their most important goals. Once agreed goals are set, Macario Advantage prepares an action plan, purchases materials, hires skilled labor if needed, and carries out the work to full completion. We always complete every project that we start without delay so that the local beneficiary organization has the maximum benefit of the accomplished goal.

All on-island operations are conducted from a privately owned boat during the non-hurricane season (December - May). From June - November, Macario Advantage works from its home base in Houston, Texas, USA, liaising with the leadership of the organizations we serve, conducting fund-raising, and planning for the agreed future work. In order to provide local ownership and sustainability throughout the year, Macario Advantage works closely with each beneficiary organization to ensure that each agreed project is truly desired by the local organization, and that they are motivated to carry out their share of the work and provide future operation and maintenance of the completed work for years to come.

The directors and managers of Macario Advantage have backgrounds in organization management, project management, financial controls, interior decorating and event planning which are all brought to bear on the projects that are selected. What we accomplish is limited only by the amount of funds that are raised.

Macario Advantage has been in the Eastern Caribbean islands since 2014 working on projects that focus on upgrading the facilities operated by local organizations that serve islanders in need. The work to date has been on the islands of Dominica and St. Lucia. Plans are still being developed for work to continue on Dominica and St. Lucia, and to begin on other islands in 2024.

1. Northern District Home for the Aged in Portsmouth, Dominica: Repaired the plumbing, repaired the entrance gate, provided a new commercial-grade clothes washer, thoroughly cleaned the entire facility both indoors and outdoors, and rejuvenated the grounds.
2. Lamb's Feast in Portsmouth, Dominica (meals-on-wheels program for home-bound elderly): Repaired the foundation and replaced the floor of the building where meals are prepared, remodeled the kitchen and, following Hurricane Maria, helped to replace the roof. Repainted the entire interior of the building.
3. Roosevelt Douglas Primary School in Portsmouth, Dominica: Prepared a new library, provided a significant amount of educational materials, provided extensive exterior painting, and hired a local artist to provide special motivational artwork on interior and exterior walls.
4. Clifton Primary School in Clifton, Dominica: Worked with another organization to restore desks and benches that had been badly damaged during Hurricane Maria. Hired a local artist to paint special motivational artwork on an exterior wall.
5. Operation Youth Quake in Roseau, Dominica (shelter for abused teens): Remodeled the kitchen, repainted the kitchen and dining rooms, provided a commercial-grade clothes washer, and provided chairs for the residents.
6. Feed My Sheep in Mahaut, Dominica (shelter for homeless women, and storm shelter during hurricanes): Replaced all electrical wiring and switchgear, remodeled the kitchen, repainted several rooms, repaired toilets, repaired storm damage, and built a retaining wall to protect the facility from future river flooding.
7. Boys Training Center in Gros Islet, St. Lucia (shelter for teen boys): Remodeled and repainted the kitchen and pantry areas.
8. Cornerstone House in Vigie, St. Lucia (shelter for homeless men and women): Remodeled, organized, and cleaned the kitchen, and painted the kitchen, pantry, laundry and storerooms.