Our History

The story of Inca Cares Foundation began in 2002, when our team joined forces with Friends of Lead-Free Children (FLFC) in the Dominican Republic to address a devastating public health crisis in Haina, Dominican Republic.

At the time, the World Health Organization had declared Haina to be the most toxic lead-contaminated site in the world, due to years of pollution from a battery recycling plant. The contamination placed thousands of families—especially children and pregnant women—at severe risk of lead poisoning.

Working alongside FLFC and local health organizations, our team participated in efforts to help remediate the contaminated area and provide lifesaving support to affected communities. One of our earliest initiatives focused on distributing vitamin supplements to pregnant women, helping prevent lead stored in their bodies from being passed on to their unborn children.

What began as an emergency response became a long-term commitment. Today, this initiative remains the longest-running program of its kind in the Dominican Republic.

Over the past two decades, Inca Cares has continued to expand its impact. In collaboration with Friends of Lead-Free Children and other public health partners, the foundation has helped deliver millions of prenatal vitamins and essential medications to women and children in high-risk communities across the Dominican Republic.

Each spring, Inca Cares organizes a five-day medical mission in partnership with Mercy University in New York, bringing together approximately 40 medical professionals and healthcare students from multiple specialties. During this intensive outreach mission, the team provides essential healthcare services to more than 1,000 children and pregnant women, while training the next generation of compassionate healthcare providers.