What a day...

So today started out as a typical day. We woke up to more rain, and headed to the club to clean up the water from our much leaking roof. The boys were waiting for us when we got there, wanting a dry place to come to. So we had the club, and not all of the boys were there, due to the hammering rain. Three of the boys decided that they were going to try and give me a new hair - do today. They pulled, tugged, and by the time they were finished, Yordi in particular, were so proud of what they had done - just a different style ponytail. It was pretty funny, because I had all these different hands through my hair, working together to make it nice.


Today was the last boys club before I leave to go home. I do not like goodbye's, I always say see you later. So this time, I was able to say, see you in May! I still hate leaving, and I actually didnt cry this time...I guess because I know I will be back in a few months.

So later on when we got home, around 6, we were all sitting in Liz's room on our laptops. I was writing an email, when Liz says, "hey you guys, is the house moving?" And I was like ya right, thinking she was just being silly. But I looked up, and realized the bed I was sitting on was shaking hard. We got up, and went into the living room, to see the ceiling fan shaking like crazy. We quickly went downstairs to stand outside. The whole neighbourhood was out on the streets, and we stood out there for about 15 minutes. It was raining, so we came back in to get on the internet and find out what the heck just happened, while staying on the watch for after effects. It was a 7.0 Earthquake that hit Puerto Prince, Haiti the worst. They have buildings and homes collapsing right now. I am grateful that we didnt feel the worst of it, but also praying and hoping that Haiti can survive this.

2010 Programs Begin!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Today was the first time we saw in the sun in 6 days - and it was wonderful - hot and sunny with not a cloud in sight. Today was also the first day of DOVE's music program and puppetry program. So let me explain a little about each program.

The music program is being run by a Brazilian man, who has worked with the age group of kids we have many times over, and created some awesome music. He starts with putting the band together - 10 singers, 10 dancers, and 15 musicians. Since we have more kids than that in the club, he did auditions - and this is what he spent hours doing on Saturday at the club. Next, Tadao (the music teacher)will teach the kids how to make the instruments out of recycled and natural materials. And then of course, he will teach them the actual music, and by the end the kids will hopefully be doing gigs around the city - and THEN, if we can raise enough money, the kids band will be able to record their own CD! This program will take 6 months - which will take the kids right into the summer. They are super excited about it, and we learned through the auditions that the kids you least expect seem to have the most talent. I can't wait to see how it turns out - when I come back in May, they program will be four months in progress.

The puppetry program is more than most might think - the kids are being taught by the teacher how to make these puppets out of paper mache and recycled materials.

They will write their own plays, and create their own shows. This program is GREAT for the kids, and they will really have the chance to showcase their creativity.

There are so many great opportunities for these kids at the club. It will really give them skills and knowledge to take into the world. It is funny, I was gone only 5months, and I can already see a HUGE difference in most of the kids. They have come out of their shells, and are really starting to show their true colours. This vocational school run by DOVE Missions is so great for them, and I am very proud to be a part of this organization.

The Day of Epiphany in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a very Catholic country - in fact Roman Catholicism is the official religion. Well in the Catholic religion, January 6, is the day of Epiphany -and the day of gift giving. Well today was a huge holiday and Dominicans take it very seriously.
So as were about to drive home from the club, we saw four of our kids, all brothers and sisters, walking down the street, dressed in their very best (without their parents). We stopped and asked them where they were going, and they said that they were on thier way to church. We thought it was really sweet that the kids were all going to church together, and let them go on their way. We drove a little further down the street and came to the church where they were going - it was packed - and very loud. The sound of excitement and laughter filled the air, and so we decided to stop and go to mass. Liz knew the priest who would be doing the mass, and as we walked further in the doors, we saw more than half of our kids from the club. We were bombarded with hugs and smiles. It was quite clear that we were the only gringos, and we drew a lot of attention as we walked through this small, busy church to find a place to stand along the side.
The church was hot, absolutely packed with people, loud, and as I looked around everyone was smiling; everyone was genuienly happy to be there.
The mass started and it took the priest some extra effort to get everyone quiet and calm; there were mostly kids there, and not a lot of adults which really surprised me. The mass is in session, and I look across the church to see Elizabeth (one of the girls we saw walking), looking at me. I motioned for her to come over and stand with me, and so she politely made her way through the crowd. I know that Elizabeth comes from a very rough family life, and she is one of the kids that really gets to me sometimes. So we stood there, hugging while mass went on.
A lot of the kids were sitting on the floor at the front of the church, right in front of the alter; including Elizabeth's siblings, and some other kids from the club. So we decided to go and sit down.
It wasnt long until I had two more kids sitting with me, just wanting the love and affection. And as I realized what was happening here, the fact that I was sitting in church, surrounded by kids who I love so much, celebrating such a special day, it was such an emotional experience for me. It is hard to even describe in words.
After the mass was over, the church was giving out gifts - since today is the day of gift giving. So the church basically turned into a crazy scene and we decided that was the time to leave. We all left feeling so great, and loving the way life works - it was such a spontanious and unexpected experience but such a meaningful one.

Field Trips

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Today was an AWESOME day! We decided to take some of the kids on field trips. So, in the morning, along with 17 great volunteers, we took our group of older older girls up the mountain in a cable car. We all squished in the bus we rented - Dominican style, and headed to the "TeleFerico". We were able to pair each girl up with a volunteer, so everyone had some great one on one time.

We had to split up into two groups for the cable cars, but we all met up at the top and walked around together.
We walked around the top of the mountain, and despite the misty rain and slippery paths, everyone really enjoyed themselves. The girls had a blast, and most of them had never been up before.

After we dropped off our big group of volunteers, we took the girls for lunch at the provocone. We had yummy chicken, rice, fried plantanes, and french fries. The girls were super excited about the day, and when we dropped them off at the center, they all left with huge smiles on their faces.

In the afternoon, we took some of the little boys and some of the older boys to the old Fort. It is really cool there, and there are lots of places to run around, and lots of old pictures and artifacts to look at.

We paired each older boy with one younger boy, and they walked around together, and sat together on the bus. A lot of the older boys are really good with the younger ones, and helping us out with them. It was really nice to see.

There are several different sections of the Fort, and we tried to keep the group together and move around together - this was a really good idea. The kids had so much fun, and they too, left with huge smiles on their faces.

I think it is really important for the kids to get out and experience new things, away from thier every day lives and neighbourhoods. I love doing special days like this with the kids, and this is partly what I fundraise money to do. I can't wait to do another trip with the other groups of kids next week.

Busy busy!

I can't believe a whole week has gone by since Christmas! New Years Eve is here, and a lot has happened this week. We had two more volunteers from Canada arrive this week, as well as three of our board members. We have been with the kids every day, since it is their Christmas vacation.

On Saturday, Jenny and Jencen, our volunteers taught the kids Michael Jackson dances. The kids LOVE MJ, and Jenny and Jencen are awesome dance teachers. It was so funny, and a lot of fun. Some of the kids that I would have never expected to get up and dance actually did.


On Monday, we held our very first computer class. It was only the first one, so we took away a few things for next time. One of them being, maximum two kids to a computer...it was a little hectic! But the kids loved it, and were really trying hard. I realized that I really do take my knowledge of technology for granted.


In the afternoon we did a camera class, with a fun activity to follow. We gave the kids 10 things that they needed to take pictures of, i.e. a preganant lady, a black dog, and they had to go out in the neighbourhood and take the best pictures of these things.

On Tuesday, we had the girls for an hour in the morning, preparing letters to send to thier sponsors. Then we had the kids that had participated in the camera activity in to view all of their pictures...we actually had some pretty amazing pictures. And then at noon, as always on Tuesday's, we had boys club. We did sponsor letters with them, and then took a break for lunch. After lunch, we had all the boys back for a sports activity. We took them to the huge baseball field around the corner from the club, and they had a blast playing baseball.


So far the week has been super fun. Not only have the kids been having an awesome Christmas vacation, but I have too!

Merry Christmas!

Well it is Christmas day, and today has been an amazing day. We spent the morning at the beach - my favourite place to be. It was such a gorgeous day today, and I got a little (unevenly) burnt at the beach - go figure for me haha.

Later in the afternoon we picked up two of our volunteers, Jenny and Jencen and went to Playa Oueste. They wanted to visit thier sponsor family, as did I. I had a gift for Heidi and Adrianna. Heidi was with some other family, but Adrianna LOVED her new doll. She is so cute and sweet, and loves to talk.


For dinner, we went to a restaurant and ate a yummy turkey dinner!

My first Christmas away from home

Today is Christmas Eve, and I have to be honest - I am a little homesick. I have been visiting our Dominican families all day, and I see how important family is here to people - they do not care about getting presents - of course they will recieve graciously, and the kids LOVE new toys, but it is not important. Today in Girls Club we went around in a circle and each girl said what Christmas meant to them - almost every girl said it was about being with family.
And this is what made me homesick - I thought to myself; if family is so important to people here, then why am I here right now and not with my own family back in Canada? Here I am in this beautiful paradise, and still I am missing my family.

Then tonight I started thinking, and I realized some things. Yes, I miss my family and they are the most important people in my life, but they are also supporting me in being here. I am here for a reason, and they get that. They are encouraging me, and they are proud of me for what I am doing. And I love and appreciate them so much for that. I should not be upset about missing them, but embrace what I have here in the Dominican Republic, and all of the love I am recieving from the people I am here to help. I am spending Christmas in a beautiful country, doing something I love - and what is so amazing is that my family gets it and they are supporting me. I have them to look forward to when I return home. So I may not be with them for Christmas, but I am so glad that they are behind me in what I am doing.
Another thing that I realized is that I am so lucky to have the resources to be able to travel to a different country for Christmas. Part of the reason I came for Christmas was because I wanted to experience the holiday in another culture - and since my heart is in the DR, I want to try and understand every aspect of this culture. I wanted to see what it felt like to give instead of recieve on such a traditional holiday. I am so grateful that I am able to travel, and that I have loving people to spend the holidays with here in the Dominican. And I am so lucky and blessed to have a loving, supportive family waiting for me at home. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for the support and encouragement from all of my family.

So to all of my family, thanks for everything. I love you all and Merry Christmas.