Hola Amigos!
It’s that time of year again! Summer is winding down and it’s time for our kids to head back to school – but they cannot do that without our help.
As you well know we have 80 kids in our club and when school time rolls around again they will all be in need of uniforms. Although schools in the Dominican are public and free, their ticket for enrollment is a uniform. Without the entire package, they are not allowed to enroll in the public education system.
They need shirts, pants, undershirts, underpants, sports pants, sports t-shirts, socks and shoes and the prices here can get pretty expensive. It costs anywhere from $40-$50 per child, depending on their age.
While the full $40 for the package would be incredibly helpful and such a blessing, we are asking that you and your family consider supporting even half of a school uniform or a fourth if that’s all that is possible.
The cost of a new backpack for your child in the United States is around the same cost as school uniforms are here; as you’re shopping this school season we ask that you consider donating some of what you would spend to your Dominican family. Without your support our kids cannot go to school and without going to school, our efforts are worthless.
Thank you in advance for anything you are able to give and even if not in the form of monetary donations, we are constantly in need of your prayers. It’s your donations and dutiful prayers that keep us in operation; we so appreciate your sacrifice.
Enjoy the end of your summer, it’s wrapping up quickly! Come visit us – you deserve a break!
With love from the DR,
DOVE Missions
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Another great week!
Hola!
What an amazing summer we've had so far this season with the kids and so many volunteers coming in and out. We couldn't have asked for a better break off of school for the kids. Jenny and Jencen, 2 Canadian volunteers who spent 5 weeks with us, left last week - the kids were so heartbroken to see them go! And Kara, an American volunteer from Ohio, decided to spend another 2 weeks with us, and we've already had such a great time teaching English and getting to spend so much time with the kids!
Here are a few pictures of us hanging out around the club the past week after we had to tell Jenny and Jencen good-bye, we're certainly not looking forward to school rolling around again, that's for sure!
Hope you're having a wonderful summer with your family as you begin to wrap it up! Think of us as you buy school supplies for your little ones! :)
Love from the DR <3
What an amazing summer we've had so far this season with the kids and so many volunteers coming in and out. We couldn't have asked for a better break off of school for the kids. Jenny and Jencen, 2 Canadian volunteers who spent 5 weeks with us, left last week - the kids were so heartbroken to see them go! And Kara, an American volunteer from Ohio, decided to spend another 2 weeks with us, and we've already had such a great time teaching English and getting to spend so much time with the kids!
Here are a few pictures of us hanging out around the club the past week after we had to tell Jenny and Jencen good-bye, we're certainly not looking forward to school rolling around again, that's for sure!
Hope you're having a wonderful summer with your family as you begin to wrap it up! Think of us as you buy school supplies for your little ones! :)
Love from the DR <3
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A volunteer's words...
Hola!
This week we had 2 volunteers, Kathy and Kara, here from Ohio to work with the kids. Kathy is a registered nurse as well as a artist so she did check-ups on all the kids and also hosted a special jewelry class with the kids to make metal crosses. They were so excited! On their last night we asked Kathy to write some words on her experience here with us in Puerta Plata. Here is what she had to say! Along with some pictures from their trip here:)
"After physicals at the club – the kids had music class. A well known Spanish artist comes twice a week, to sing with the kids. They are supposed to make a CD as a fundraiser. They are amazing – so much fun. Beautiful singing!
Next we went to the Playa Westa barrio. Amazing poverty. Right on the water with large ships that just dump their crap in the water. The beautiful blue water changes to brown about 1000 feet out. This is where these barrio residents bath, wash their clothes and use the toilet. The first thing that hits you is the stench when you get out of the car. Then the garabage is everywhere. The homes (shacks) are maybe 15X15 with 4 rooms in that (kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and living room) all separated by cardboard or sheets. No cupboards / closets. No extra anything. Terrible roofing also. Basically homes on top/right next to each other. I am told during the raining season much of it floods. Through all of this they are the best dressed people you would see! Very, very hospitable. Sonya (one of the mother's) came home while we were there and made us all orange juice with ice. Probably for the family but gave it all to us. Also they have the biggest smile all the time. There is music playing everywhere. I guess you only know what you are brought up with or don’t know what you don’t have. And they have very little. It was incredible. Very sad.
A great, but somber day."
Thanks, Kathy!
This week we had 2 volunteers, Kathy and Kara, here from Ohio to work with the kids. Kathy is a registered nurse as well as a artist so she did check-ups on all the kids and also hosted a special jewelry class with the kids to make metal crosses. They were so excited! On their last night we asked Kathy to write some words on her experience here with us in Puerta Plata. Here is what she had to say! Along with some pictures from their trip here:)
"After physicals at the club – the kids had music class. A well known Spanish artist comes twice a week, to sing with the kids. They are supposed to make a CD as a fundraiser. They are amazing – so much fun. Beautiful singing!
Next we went to the Playa Westa barrio. Amazing poverty. Right on the water with large ships that just dump their crap in the water. The beautiful blue water changes to brown about 1000 feet out. This is where these barrio residents bath, wash their clothes and use the toilet. The first thing that hits you is the stench when you get out of the car. Then the garabage is everywhere. The homes (shacks) are maybe 15X15 with 4 rooms in that (kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and living room) all separated by cardboard or sheets. No cupboards / closets. No extra anything. Terrible roofing also. Basically homes on top/right next to each other. I am told during the raining season much of it floods. Through all of this they are the best dressed people you would see! Very, very hospitable. Sonya (one of the mother's) came home while we were there and made us all orange juice with ice. Probably for the family but gave it all to us. Also they have the biggest smile all the time. There is music playing everywhere. I guess you only know what you are brought up with or don’t know what you don’t have. And they have very little. It was incredible. Very sad.
A great, but somber day."
Thanks, Kathy!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Happy Birthday to all!
Hola! What a great week we've had!
We have so any volunteers here this week from so many places and we're loving being able to share so much of what we do with so many people from all over!
Diane, one of board members, is here this week and did some fundraising in New Jersey to be able to bring a birthday party to the kids for everyone! It was so great! We celebrated everyone's birthday at the same time and the kids were so excited to be able to sing together, dance together, and eat together! That was probably one of their favorite parts:)
We were able to have pizza for everyone with the money Diane had raised and even had a 3 pound chocolate cake!! The kids were so excited!
We all sat around to pray over our food before we started eating and Ernestina blessed the food, the kids, our families and the work we do. Then we ate! The kids were so excited and were even happier when we turned the music on! We danced and had a great time celebrating our birthdays and the great summer we've had so far.
We've been incredibly blessed this season and pray those same blessings on you and yours. Happy summering!
We have so any volunteers here this week from so many places and we're loving being able to share so much of what we do with so many people from all over!
Diane, one of board members, is here this week and did some fundraising in New Jersey to be able to bring a birthday party to the kids for everyone! It was so great! We celebrated everyone's birthday at the same time and the kids were so excited to be able to sing together, dance together, and eat together! That was probably one of their favorite parts:)
We were able to have pizza for everyone with the money Diane had raised and even had a 3 pound chocolate cake!! The kids were so excited!
We all sat around to pray over our food before we started eating and Ernestina blessed the food, the kids, our families and the work we do. Then we ate! The kids were so excited and were even happier when we turned the music on! We danced and had a great time celebrating our birthdays and the great summer we've had so far.
We've been incredibly blessed this season and pray those same blessings on you and yours. Happy summering!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Only 6 More Sponsors Needed!
Wonderful news!
To all of you who have been waiting to sponsor a child, our family sponsorship program has expanded to include individual child sponsorship! This ensures the voucher program, school uniforms and cost of participating in the club to all of the children in our club! If you would like to participate, please email our coordinator, Melissa Bazely at mbazely@sympatico.ca and let her know. We only have 6 children who still need sponsors, once we get that we will have every child in our club accounted for! Here is the list of children waiting for sponsorship; check out their pages for information photos!
Thank you,
Liz McKie
Executive Director and Founder - Dove Missions
Children in need of a sponsor:
Antonio
Emilio
Kathiana
Loraini
Coco
Merieleidi
To all of you who have been waiting to sponsor a child, our family sponsorship program has expanded to include individual child sponsorship! This ensures the voucher program, school uniforms and cost of participating in the club to all of the children in our club! If you would like to participate, please email our coordinator, Melissa Bazely at mbazely@sympatico.ca and let her know. We only have 6 children who still need sponsors, once we get that we will have every child in our club accounted for! Here is the list of children waiting for sponsorship; check out their pages for information photos!
Thank you,
Liz McKie
Executive Director and Founder - Dove Missions
Children in need of a sponsor:
Antonio
Emilio
Kathiana
Loraini
Coco
Merieleidi
A Big Week!
Hola!
Wow! It's July 4th and we can't believe how fast the summer is flying by! We're spending so much time in the club with the kids that we are shocked by how days are dropping all around us! Before we look up again we know it'll be time for the kids to be back in school so we're trying to enjoy the time we have left before summer is done for the season!
We have a BIG week headed our way and we've spent the weekend preparing for everything we have coming! This week one of our board members, Diane Wolff, is in town to hang out with the kids and spend some time at the club. We love having her here! It's also Jenny and Jencen's last few days at the club this week before they head out early Friday morning. They've been here a month and we're so sad to see them go.
Tuesday we will welcome Kara and her mother Kathy, Ohio natives, who will be spending a little over a week with us. Kara is actually wanting to spend some extended time here next semester and her and her mother wanted a trip together this summer so they decided to come and volunteer with us! They've never been here before, and we are so excited to get them introduced to our programs and kids.
It's going to be a big, long week - but an amazing one!
We can't wait to see what God has in store for us.
Wishing you a Happy 4th of July all the way from the Dominican Republic! Have a good one!
Wow! It's July 4th and we can't believe how fast the summer is flying by! We're spending so much time in the club with the kids that we are shocked by how days are dropping all around us! Before we look up again we know it'll be time for the kids to be back in school so we're trying to enjoy the time we have left before summer is done for the season!
We have a BIG week headed our way and we've spent the weekend preparing for everything we have coming! This week one of our board members, Diane Wolff, is in town to hang out with the kids and spend some time at the club. We love having her here! It's also Jenny and Jencen's last few days at the club this week before they head out early Friday morning. They've been here a month and we're so sad to see them go.
Tuesday we will welcome Kara and her mother Kathy, Ohio natives, who will be spending a little over a week with us. Kara is actually wanting to spend some extended time here next semester and her and her mother wanted a trip together this summer so they decided to come and volunteer with us! They've never been here before, and we are so excited to get them introduced to our programs and kids.
It's going to be a big, long week - but an amazing one!
We can't wait to see what God has in store for us.
Wishing you a Happy 4th of July all the way from the Dominican Republic! Have a good one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)