This past week, Project Las Americas has donated a water filter to the Club! The website says about the water filter; "A sixty dollar investment can empower a family to produce their own potable water for fifty years with the BioSand water filter, developed by Dr. Dave Manz. A simple and effective means to reduce child mortality in developing countries. The combination of the robust and sustainable technology with a comprehensive Technology Transfer Intervention model has brought safe drinking water to thousands of families. Filtration is a simple process which is followed by post-chlorination. The beneficiaries use the water to drink, cook, clean and bath. The filter can produce in excess of 100 gallons per day which exceeds the usual needs of a family. Filters are also installed in schools and other institutions serving lager groups. Due to the combined efforts of all alliance partners, as of 2008, 18,000 families had access to potable water in the Dominican Republic via the BioSand filter. Project Las Americas made a ten year commitment to working towards the elimination of water born diseases. We hope to cooperate and assist others to take this technology to other developing countries."
We will have classes of the importance of clean water for good health and sanitation, and instructions on how to use and implement the water filter program. I am so excited! Everyone who has been here knows the terrible conditions the people live in and the lack of clean water is number one on the list of problems. What a tremendous gift to our club. Thank you!!!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday Clubs
The Girls Club... The older girls are working on an art project and the little kids are colouring. The girls, WAY more so than the boys, are very, very competitive in everything they do (not only in the Club- I notice this behaviour when they are at home playing as well). They all really want to get that extra attention and to feel special.
The Boys Club. They are singing one of the English-Spanish songs that we play for them in Class. Using music to teach English helps them to remember the words. We have songs for the days of the week, colours, body parts, etc.
The Boys Club. They are singing one of the English-Spanish songs that we play for them in Class. Using music to teach English helps them to remember the words. We have songs for the days of the week, colours, body parts, etc.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Crabbing In Playa Oeste
Many of the kids in the Club are from Playa Oeste, a very poor area of Puerto Plata that means West Beach in english. We also have kids from Barrio Nuevo and Aguas Negras. This video shows what life is like in Playa Oeste. Kids in the video = Andy, Andrieli, and Coco (and a mother, Sonia). Andy was out in the water looking for crabs. He is 13 years old and because his father died, he takes on the role of 'man of the house' and does his best to provide for his family. Not only can you see the filth of the beach that they live on, but you can also see the work that goes into providing for a family in the DR.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
School Uniform Drive
As was mentioned in another post, right now the big fundraiser Dove is having is for school uniforms. School starts next week!! We have 70 children in our program that we would love to be able to provide school uniforms for. It is $40.00 US to buy 2 shirts, bottoms, undershirts and underpants, socks, shoes and gym clothes notebooks and pencils. This will put a child in school. School is free in the DR, but many families cannot afford the uniforms. No uniforms = no school. As of a few days ago, we have only raised funds for 10 children to have uniforms. Last year we provided uniforms for FIFTY children, so we need to at least meet that number, if not exceed it to be able to help every child in our program (70).
Go to DOVE's website on the Support page and donated $40 on the paypal, and a child will be able to attend school. Education is the BEST way to get these children out of poverty. And as an interesting sidenote, the children of mothers who have had a primary education are 40% more likely to reach the age of 5. So not only are you helping these kids, you putting them in school will be helping their future generations to come.
In this video, Liz is taking some of the kids out for ice cream before going to get their uniforms. In the second, they are in the store getting their supplies, and in the third, they are showing off what they got. Yoandi, Andy, Andrieli, Meriledi, Yordi, and Loraina are in the videos. Thank you to Cathy and Deb for paying for their uniforms!
Go to DOVE's website on the Support page and donated $40 on the paypal, and a child will be able to attend school. Education is the BEST way to get these children out of poverty. And as an interesting sidenote, the children of mothers who have had a primary education are 40% more likely to reach the age of 5. So not only are you helping these kids, you putting them in school will be helping their future generations to come.
In this video, Liz is taking some of the kids out for ice cream before going to get their uniforms. In the second, they are in the store getting their supplies, and in the third, they are showing off what they got. Yoandi, Andy, Andrieli, Meriledi, Yordi, and Loraina are in the videos. Thank you to Cathy and Deb for paying for their uniforms!
Murals
The following is written by Sarah, one member of a team of 6 working in the DR and Haiti for three weeks.
Time is flying by - I cannot believe it has been a week since I last wrote. We were blessed enough to spend another day with Liz and the boys, which we all enjoyed. In the morning, we drove to Puerto Plata, met up with Liz, and drove to the boys' and girls' club building. We were greeted by the boys we met last friday with hugs and kisses, and then we headed up to check out Liz's new building. A beautiful spot for a club, but pretty bland to say the least. Liz asked if we would like to paint a mural, and of course, we took on the challenge! After a quick stretching/exercise session with the kids, we grabbed some paint brushes and paint and went at it. We had it completely finished by one o'clock, and rewarded ourselves with a lunch break. The boys helped us clean up and by that time we had to prepare for the afternoon session of classes. Liz made a special time for the club to meet this week so that we could take over and do some of the teaching! We were split into four sections: Danielle P. and Danielle C. teaching English, Rana and Jessica playing games and singing songs, Joslyn making bracelets, and I taught "How To Make Playdough". I can't speak for the rest of the girls, but my section was crazy! We had a great day with the kids though and it was awesome to see the boys again.
In this video you can see the beautiful murals, as well as Jose Manuel's dance moves!
Time is flying by - I cannot believe it has been a week since I last wrote. We were blessed enough to spend another day with Liz and the boys, which we all enjoyed. In the morning, we drove to Puerto Plata, met up with Liz, and drove to the boys' and girls' club building. We were greeted by the boys we met last friday with hugs and kisses, and then we headed up to check out Liz's new building. A beautiful spot for a club, but pretty bland to say the least. Liz asked if we would like to paint a mural, and of course, we took on the challenge! After a quick stretching/exercise session with the kids, we grabbed some paint brushes and paint and went at it. We had it completely finished by one o'clock, and rewarded ourselves with a lunch break. The boys helped us clean up and by that time we had to prepare for the afternoon session of classes. Liz made a special time for the club to meet this week so that we could take over and do some of the teaching! We were split into four sections: Danielle P. and Danielle C. teaching English, Rana and Jessica playing games and singing songs, Joslyn making bracelets, and I taught "How To Make Playdough". I can't speak for the rest of the girls, but my section was crazy! We had a great day with the kids though and it was awesome to see the boys again.
In this video you can see the beautiful murals, as well as Jose Manuel's dance moves!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
DONATE
Right now, Dove is expanding in huge ways as we move into our new building and double the amount of children we are providing programs for. The families are all sponsored, and this sponsorship fee pays for vouchers for the families for groceries every month. We also need donors fund our programs. Right now, school is starting and we hope to provide uniforms for all the kids. It is $40.00 US to buy 2 shirts, bottoms, undershirts and underpants, socks, shoes and gym clothes notebooks and pencils. While school is free, kids are unable to attend school if they can't pay for their uniform. We also have many other programs that we need donations to keep running. Every class, each child is given a snack of bread and peanut butter. We also pay for materials for art classes, and now, with the grand opening of the new building, we have rent to pay. Medical needs for the children come up often. Just last month, one of the boys, Andy, stepped on a nail and was unable to walk. He went to the clinic with his mother, but she was unable to pay for the medicine. Dove covered this for them and within 2 days the swelling was down and he was able to walk again. Very often, Dove will go onto the streets and provide meals for all the street boys who work every day, some as young as 6 years old, shining shoes to provide for their families. These are just a few of the many ways that Dove uses its funding, and we would love your support to not only keep these programs going, but also to create new ones!
To make a donation by check:
Make your check out to "DOVE Missions"
Send your check to: Dove Missions, c/o Caroline Santora, 5834 East Beck Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
You can also donate by paypal. Go to the Support Page on Dove's website and click on the paypal button.
You also have the option of sending supplies to the DR, and instructions to do this are below. You are welcome and encouraged to send letters to your sponsor children. They love seeing photos of Canada and the USA, and photos of the people who are sponsoring them.
Pack your items in a sturdy box.
Weigh your box.
For every pound your package weighs, we ask that you make a donation of $1.50 to Dove Missions to cover the Agape service fee. So, for a 10 pound package, we ask for a $15 donation (this is what Agape charges Liz when she picks up your package at their office in Santiago). You can use PayPal or send a check to:
Dove Missions, 5834 East Beck Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
Send your package to: Liz McKie, c/o Agape Flights STI #20504, 100 Airport Avenue , Venice , FL , 34285 - or if you live in Florida you can drop your package off at Agape if you like.
To make a donation by check:
Make your check out to "DOVE Missions"
Send your check to: Dove Missions, c/o Caroline Santora, 5834 East Beck Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
You can also donate by paypal. Go to the Support Page on Dove's website and click on the paypal button.
You also have the option of sending supplies to the DR, and instructions to do this are below. You are welcome and encouraged to send letters to your sponsor children. They love seeing photos of Canada and the USA, and photos of the people who are sponsoring them.
Pack your items in a sturdy box.
Weigh your box.
For every pound your package weighs, we ask that you make a donation of $1.50 to Dove Missions to cover the Agape service fee. So, for a 10 pound package, we ask for a $15 donation (this is what Agape charges Liz when she picks up your package at their office in Santiago). You can use PayPal or send a check to:
Dove Missions, 5834 East Beck Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
Send your package to: Liz McKie, c/o Agape Flights STI #20504, 100 Airport Avenue , Venice , FL , 34285 - or if you live in Florida you can drop your package off at Agape if you like.
Grand Opening!
On August 15th, Dove held the grand opening for the Club! A team of 6 from Canada is in the DR and Haiti for a few weeks, and came to help Liz for the day and run a fun grand opening for about 70 kids who are benefiting from Dove's services. They ran classes and made Playdough with the kids. The mothers all came as well and created a sign up sheet for who will come on what days to help clean and work in the Club. We are having them do this so they can learn that the Club is not about giving hand outs. We want them to work for the services they are being provided with, and because of this, they will make it their own and be proud of what they have because they have worked for it.
*August 15, 2009
*August 15, 2009
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