Raise the Roof

See Matt run. See Matt and Emma run. See Matt and Emma raise money to build new roofs for our families by running. When Matt and Emma came here to visit they were deeply moved at the state of our families homes. Most of the roofs are made of tin boards that are layered on top of one another. When it rains there is nothing to prevent the leaking or assortment of criters that make their way in.So Emma and Matt decided to do something about it. As Emma put it, "no child should have to go to school tired or unable to concentrate becuase their roof leaked." After trying to raise money through a blog, emhills1.blogspot.com, and not being very successful Emma and Matt came up with other ideas. Matt ran and was sponsored in a 10k and a half marathon and Emma did a 10k half marathon. People sponsored their run to raise money for new roofs; and it worked. They are now talking with Dove on how to best make this happen and looking into other marathon sponsorship to provide more funds. Emma and Matt are a great example of how to use your individual talents and interests to good. Our families will be so thankful for a new roof and dry place to rest their heads!

Be A Sponsor

There are 80+ children that attend the DOVE Missions Youth Development Center. Many of these children need a sponsor. A donation of $30 per month sponsors a child. Your donation helps pay for monthly food staples for the family, medicine, school supplies, and the overall costs of running the Youth development center.

Haiti sponsorship is $40 per month and covers nutritional , medical and operational needs of the orphanage.

Dominican Day

Welcome to Sunday! Here in the Dominican Republic people really do take the day off. Some things are open, but not a lot and most things that are open close early. Families go to the beach in Sosua or the beach on the Melachon. The Melachon gets ready for Sunday on Saturday night. People park their cars all along the street and play music, dance, eat and hang out with their families and neighbors. Everyone has a blast and enjoys their day off from work. There are literaly thousands of people. The weekend doesn't stop Sunday night just because the week starts on Monday morning. Melachon hang out goes all night long for everyone. It is great to see neighbors visiting with neighbors and families spending time together. It may only be one day , but Dominican Day is the best of the week!

New Website!

Dove is pleased to anounce a brand spankin new website! This site provides more up to date information , is easier to navigate and sports our beautiful new logo! There you will be able to find sponsor updates and news on upcoming opportunites to visit and support Dove. We are so appreciative of our team for putting it together and really excited for it to go live! Check it out dovemissions.org

Marco

Poptarts are a delicious breakfast food. Yesterday, I was finishing one on the play ground with the kids. Marco was sitting next to me and asked for a bite. I broke him off a piece and I gave it to him. I only gave him a little because there were other kids around and I didn't want them to get upset. Marco emmediatley called over Antonio and Clariebelle is brother and sister. He first gave them a piece and then ate the rest. He keeps such a watchful eye on his younger siblings. Clariebelle's shirt was falling off her shoulder and Marco pointed it out to her. Later on of the other boys hit one of the other girls and he stood up for the girl telling the boy that you dont hit girls. I was so proud of him. He is such a great kid, really a mature young man. It is times like these when you know something is going right.

Back to Haiti!

This past week we were able to go and check on our orphanage in Haiti and meet the new kids. Haiti is a very overwhelming place to be and yet the orphanage is a calm oasis. A typical day for this kids begins with morning prayers. After that it's breakfast and time for preschool. A private teacher comes to the orphanage and teaches them the average preschool stuff; letters, numbers, learning songs. At 10 they snack then school some more until 12. After that it's lunch and play time until dinner and bed. The older kids, four of them, get to go to first grade. Every morning one of the house mothers walks them to school. The smaller kids only have school every other day. It is very exciting for them to leave the loving protection of the orphanage walls because Haiti doesn't have any public parks or real reason for them to leave. Father Andre said they all think it's fun when he isn't there to perform mass because then they get to go to mass across the street! There are house mother's that take care of the kids and rotate who cooks and does laundry. At night one mother sleeps in each room so if one of the kids needs something at night there is always someone there. I could write a novella about how wonderful this orphanage and about how it is the definition of hope for Haiti, but who wants to read a 100 page post?!

Love from the DR!