DURBEL LORA BRITO

1967 - 2026

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live"   -- John 11:25

We are saddened to share that on the morning of January 8, 2026, our beloved country director of the Dominican Republic, Durbel Lora Brito, passed away in a vehicular collision. He is survived by his wife Alfa, sons Durbelin and Jorge, and mother Nidia Brito Brito.

Durbel has faithfully served rural communities in the Dominican Republic for decades. He joined Floresta Incorporada, Plant With Purpose’s Dominican partner organization in 1998 as an agronomist. In 2016, he was appointed as country director. Under his faithful leadership, the program has helped more than 138,000 people overcome rural poverty and planted over 27 million trees, restoring the land and strengthening food security across the country. He facilitated the acceleration of tree planting efforts, Purpose Group formations, and community partnerships. Durbel was passionate about the stewardship of creation and helping others to be more conscious of their role. 

Durbel was raised in a farming family and has long enjoyed working with the land. He deeply enjoyed walking in nature and photographing landscapes. He achieved a Masters degree in Operations Administration, from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.

Recently, Floresta Incorporada celebrated its 40th anniversary. The program was Plant With Purpose’s inaugural international partnership. The two organizations have grown and expanded together, in large part due to Durbel’s strong leadership and loving guidance.

“I have worked alongside Durbel for over 27 years, and I have always thought of him as a rock—unflappable,” shared Scott Sabin, former CEO of Plant With Purpose. When I think back over his tenure, a number of attributes stand out. The first adjective that comes to mind is steadiness. He was unflappable, always calm and measured in his response. As a result, he helped those around him to feel the same sense of calm and optimism. 

He was also a very gentle person. I think of the way he patiently interacted with my children when they were young. They could be annoying and demanding, yet he never once lost his sense of humor and engaged with them at their level. He did the same with the Dominican farmers as well - listening to them, encouraging them, never losing patience - and meeting them right where they were. 

Finally, he had courage - both physical courage and the courage to confront the truth. In our early years, we initiated a project that failed, losing the trust of the local communities. For many years our staff avoided the area, not wanting to provoke farmers who felt betrayed by the inferior seedlings and training we had provided. 

However, Durbel was not content to just walk away, and went out to listen to community members. On his first visit, he was chased away by a farmer wielding a machete. 

Most people would have left things alone at that point. However, Durbel persisted, and trust was restored, to the point where those communities and the surrounding watershed are graduating this year, having completed our entire program. The lives of thirty-two thousand people in the Ozama watershed would have been dramatically different and significantly poorer without Durbel’s courage and perseverance. "

Of course, that is only a small portion of his overall impact. Durbel has been the catalyst for transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, both in the Dominican Republic and around the world.

Durbel is remembered for his gentleness, warmth, and willingness to dive-in deep with work and relationships. Our team is grieving the loss of a mentor, friend, colleague, and leader. Yet even in our sorrow, we give thanks for Durbel’s legacy of steady faith, love for people, and flourishing communities. Please join us in celebrating his life and praying for his family, the Floresta Incorporada team, and the many communities he touched. While we are heartbroken, the program continues forward under its seasoned leadership, inspired by the example set by Durbel.

A LIVING LEGACY

Please use the links below if you would like to plant trees in memory of Durbel or to send a message of memories and connection with his team and loved ones.

THANK YOU