OLDER NEWS 2005 & 2006
April 6 2006: "Dear Marie, It is a good list of computers and clothing, shoes that you have packed. Now we need to pray about customs people clearing this shipment easily. Aunt Jean has a lot of power, remember all the boxes of computers that we got from Punta Cana? It was really easy for me to receive them.
Like our Jean says we have accomplished an incredible work with the Dental Mission trips to La Romana. This work will save the future teeth of all these kids, knowing that it has been the first time that they visit a dental clinic. That is why most of their back teeth have been fixed or pulled out. They get up very early in the morning, before 6:00 o'clock getting ready to run 2 hours on the Jeep/bus. The majority of them love to open their mouth and be treated by the doctors. There are maybe two or three children that have been very scared. I need aunt Jean to know that I do not have words to tell her what a happy difference it has been since the first day she came into our lives (some 2 years ago). God bless her and you for giving us the chance to get the people of God involved in our projects. May the spirit of the son Jesus Christ be every second besides you both, Domínica" Ap 6 06.
26 boxes of used computers/printers/monitors/fax/guitars/ stereo + large speakers and of course clothes, shoes, towels, fabrics for the sowing class etc, left for Dominica today. Jean is adding ten boxes of tee shirts from Brad Keenan in Ohio. They are new shirts that have some little stitching problems so could not be sold as first class so they have donated all of these to the children. They will be a variety of sizes but I am sure that Dominica can find people who can use them. As I said , they are all new merchandise. Brad is the one who did the new school tee shirts last year. He has already committed to donating new shirts for the school again this year. There is also a shipment of ten boxes of clothes and shoes from the Bethesda Hospital Auxiliary in Delray Beach." Jean
Thank You Don B to make this happen.
Here are Dominica's latest dreams Who knows, some may be able to help!
1. 10,000 pesos/month (=$350) to get back as soon as possible her book keeper back
2. $10,000 x 2 to buy the 2 lands around school and orphanage, one for sports, the other for garden, parking, so kids have more place to play
3. put cement in both places instead of stones (requirement from the state I believe, for safety)
4. Buy a Wava, as the current one is on its last leg, and not safe. She knows of one costing 400,000 pesos (= $12,500) that could carry 65 to 70 kids to dentist appointments, to the beach once a week for a few hours etc..
5. add 2 computer teachers (1 technician, 1 teacher) for the afternoon. Currently, there are classes from 8 am to noon with level 1, 2 ,3, 4. But we need to go to level 12. Jorge, Julissa and Antonio are already on level 4. That teacher is 6,000 pesos each
6. English teacher : we need 4 (Dominica could be one of them --and should-- as she can work with different grades at the same time!) Again we need to offer 4 levels . So each teacher will cost between 4 and 5,000 pesos/month. They will teach 4 hours a day to different groups/classes
7. There will be some $ needed soon as the 2 orphans studying civil engineering have no more class at the national university (some strikes I think) and they need to move to private university. She is checking the price
8. Dominica would like to build the next 2 floors on the school side ($98,000) as soon as classes finish -- June 15th, so they are complete for September new school year.
9. Re the dormitory, Dominica has another idea. Between La Urena and Hipodromo (where she lives) there is a section called LA Atuana (2 ' by bus from school) and there is a BIG house for sale for 2 millions pesos (about $67.000). Big house, new, 2 floors, big yard, 3 bathrooms in a SAFE area. She feels the orphans would be a lot safer there, leading a normal life etc. It is basically the same price as building a dormitory above current construction and could house 40 to 45 orphans.
10. a "decent" cell phone for Dominica so we can reach her anytime and don't depend on her feeding the cards! It takes me an average of 5 or 6 try to reach her!
11. Dominica wants some better protection around the whole area, (orphanage side) wires etc... as with new equipment (inverter, refrigerators etc) theft is likely That security budget is about 90,000 pesos (=$3,000)
12. Internet at school (her office first) then upstairs. She is checking prices there and a "decent" cell phone so we can reach her anytime and don't depend on her feeding the cards!
13. Also, Dominica is training 17 kids to be teachers one day and she would like to start another orphanage if possible, like the Price lot, so they find a job. Julissa is already taking care of small children in the morning and studying in the afternoon. As Dominica wants orphans to give back to the school that raised them!
14. Once our school orphanage functions, Dominica would like to start another orphanage, as there are MANY NEEDS around.
15 This February she took a personal loan to cover salaries. Still not paid back as Don 2,500$ went to salaries in March
and the $5,000 are to be spent every 2 weeks for food.
16. If you go, Dominica and the kids LOVE the dried fruits, like at Costco: Mango, Raisins, Mixed fruits, and nuts too!
March 3: wonderful news for 2 sick children
- Jean Dye gives the details: "The Lord is moving in so many wonderful ways and I want to be sure to share the information with you:
Junior Julesco (with a hair lip) was the first patient that PB and I wanted to see the dentist here at Hogal del Nino. Junior was referred by them to a dental specialist in Santa Domingo. That specialist took lots of pictures and video taped his whole mouth on the fist visit with him. That specialist then left the DR to go to the US to a dental conference where Junior's situation was discussed and reviewed by a team of specialists from around the world who made their recommendations as to the proper way to correct the problem.
When the specialist returned to the DR, he found that only Rosemary making lesson
one surgeon in the Dominican can do the work on Junior. >While that surgeon is willing to travel to Santo Domingo to make the operation on Junior, he indicated that he could not do it for free but would do it at a greatly reduced cost of $6,000. He sent me a request to begin to solicit for that amount for him to do the work.
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rosary making lessonTonight we received a message from the Specialist in Santo Domingo that he had met
with another surgeon- this one is from Venezuela and he is willing to come to Santo Domingo and do the surgery for Junior for free. God is good and I am in such gratitude to be able to share this information with you.
What a beautiful day this has been - Dominica and I met with Dr. Canari, the pediatrician, who works at Hogar. PB and I are concerned about Adel, 8 years old, who cannot turn her head but a little way. When Dr. Canari checked her back we saw the deformity in her spinal cord and the possibility that the deformity is just beginning. Dr. Canari requested to have an x-ray made of the spine so that we can have a report on its present condition.
Last weekend, I specifically asked for Adel to come for the weekend in hopes that we could do some very gentle massage to relieve some of the discomfort. As FATE would have it, at the dinner on Friday evening we met Dr. Sheldon Bond from Louisville, KY, the head of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Kentucky in Louisville. He looked at Adel and suggested that the first thing to do was to get a spinal x-ray. On Thursday we can pick up the report from the Hospital here in La Romana so that we can fax that information to Louisville to get Dr. Bond's opinion.
We are in hopes that between the Hogar staff and Dr. Bond, that we can begin a program that will give Adel some relief.
Just continue to give God the THANKS for all of these blessings and for HIS FATE which brings them across our paths for HIS work to be done. Much love and gratitude. Jean"
Bravo. She also found a generous donor from NY who just gave $5,000 to take care of 17 children till the end of the school year. And $$$ for ice cream for the children is part of his request. Alleluia. This will make a LOT OF HAPPY CHILDREN!
Dominica receives a donation
February 2: David and Andy just left and gave lots of clothes for the kids, a $2,150 check etc... Alain is coming with more oils. Dominica sees a flat belly after taking PARASITES OUT oil with kids with big belly. Allana and her group of 21 volunteers from Canada and Texas just finished a week of great help for Dominica and her community : 31 suitcases of 70lbs each, built a home, bought or brought 90 pairs of shoes, etc!!!
Also Jean arranged for a dentist for 31 kids this morning in La Romana. First time ever for those children. Wow our year of miracles continue. Let it flow!
Also children were all excited as 5 boys were invited by Mike O'Connor last week-end and 5 girls this weekend (3 trips total so far). We spent the night after the BIG Christmas day. He has a wonderful place and a huge pool. Thank you Mike as I know there is a 2.5 hour drive in each direction. Bravo.
Mary, a nurse from Montana, with 3 grown children decided to come and help Dominica for a few months, after seeing the new photos on the web! Bravo. Dominica is thrilled.
For the ones asking about adopting a Dominican, it is in the hands of the government and costs around $10,000 for paper work etc. and at least 2 trips to the DR. But Dominica can help you find a child and that should reduce the costs.
January 12 06:
The children have had a marvelous time for Christmas. Starting with a Christmas dinner for 80 plus children and a few destitute mothers, thanks to Andy & David and presents for each on. Then the 25th at 7:00 am, 72 children were taken by 3 bus to La Romana invited by PB and Jean Dye for a fabulous day of celebration. 3 hours on the bus got them hungry since they had no breakfast. Jean had lots of fruits and empanadas for them. Then they were met by the Coleman family celebrating their 50th year anniversary! Their 12 suitcases were overfilled with presents for the children, 2/3 a piece. Then they played volley ball and the oldest baseball AND they 
got to drive bulldozers! Then late lunch with tons of food, then 2 muñecas with more goodies and finally they all sung with Dominica to thank the sponsors (who were all moved and crying!). After many hugs, the Coleman had to get to their cruise by 4 pm. Everyone was EXTREMELY happy. And more food went on the bus to feed more children and families for 4 days. (Jean and Dominica to the right)
I got to stay one night with Mike and 3 children ( invited by John, CEO of Iberostar), to spend 9 days at this fabulous 5 star hotel in Bayahibe beach. We had so MUCH fun and Dominica and 2 more kids got to join us the last 3 days. Oh la la those will have memories for their lives. Unlimited numbers of drinks, ice cream, french fries, food of all kinds for everyone. I had not seen that since my stays at Club med in Brazil.
So bravo to all the generous donors who made it happen: Jean & PB Dye and their friends (Christmas day Big celebration +Mike O'Connor +), Andy & David (Christmas dinner), Alain Franques and his son in law Ali Teheranchi for their $2,000/month commitment for food since March 05, Alicio and his $6,000 contribution, The Pinellas Park Christ of Cornestone Church and their $700/month support for 19 children, Marie’s friends and their continuous support (Dick, Carl, Jeanne V, Dolores, Waldi, Phyllis, Amour, Ray, Linda, Sue, Judy, Rhoda, Ellie, Jim B; Doug, LeAnne, Elizabeth, Dudley, Cara, Amanda, Dinny, Erica, Edith, the Russells, Myriam, MEB, etc., etc.). And of course, Patrizia Perantoni who dedicated to Dominica 3 whole years. Also Jihad Shelbie (for previous Christmas dinner and timely help).
Happy New Year to all of you who made it happen! We truly manifested miracles this year. We are in the flow and want to continue. From last year $15,000 to $18,000 borrowed at high interests, Dominica was able to clean that up and run the year with only $3,800 left to pay (jeep insurance and teachers bonus). We also seem to have potential helpers for the dormitories. Next on the list is to build the school 2nd floor to give class and workshop in sowing, electricity, plumbing, carpentry, etc, so our teenagers can learn a tool and go on their own!
these 2 photos represent what most families live in in La Urena.
We visualize the flow coming in and miracles to happen so Dominica can truly do what she dreams off: train more directors of orphanage and schools to be efficient, honest and dedicated, and help families like those 2 move out of poverty.
To see Wonderful Pictures go to BestPictures
December 17 05: The children will have a lovely Christmas eve dinner thanks to Andy and David and a present for each child from Jean Dye. AND Christmas day thanks to the family of 8 arriving from a cruise in La Romana for a few hours. They have 14 suitcases minimum filled for the children, as they have been gathering for a year. Sharon Coleman + can't wait to see the faces of the 20+ kids coming to be pampered and I cant wait to take pictures as I will be there myself! Sharon and her family wrote: "Most of our packages reached the hotel in perfect order and I hear you sent some too! That is great! I have requested from my guides and angels a special bubble of protection around all of us and all the things we are doing. I know it will work. What a wonderful experience this has been and will be."
What a blessing to have all the WONDERFUL people that help us maintain the Orphanage and its mission.
Thanks also to Dick for his lovely contribution that allow Dominica to have a professional to run the computer room and other urgent needs. And the Christ of Cornerstone Church from Florida who sent 19 gifts to the children they sponsor. This is a GOOD year for our orphans as lots of people showed that they care.
November 28:
Now, I need your help to SPOIL the children a bit! Especially PenniSu, now 8, who was "adopted" by a dominican family 14 months ago who had to move to New York and could not take her along. So the girl is back and devastated after 18 months of "normal life" with a family. I think Dominica wants me to take her along with Pena and Jorge to the hotel, BUT I can't find a reservation (or a villa!). Everything is booked solid, so I need you to visualize the perfect temporary home for us. If it is big enough I could do a day at the beach also for the kids. This year I fly into Punta Cana on the 20th of December, join Dominica and the kids for Christmas eve, greet a WONDERFUL family of 7 spending Christmas day in La Romana. They have saved for a year, come with 2 x 70lbs EACH but ran out of room so they are shipping extra luggage to the hotel in Miami before boarding on a cruise! All of this was masterminded for a year by Sharon Coleman. AND her sister, LeAnne, who opened her restaurant for breakfast last month, serving 105 meals and raising $2,248 Wow! Dominica emailed that all the kids got their milk, cereal, rice, beans, some meat, sugar, oatmeal, and are all looking forward to meet this wonderful and caring family. The Coleman's look forward to see the kids faces when they open the suitcases!
But with 69 desperate children there are still needs, see list below.
November 21, 2005: "Dear Marie: When the cell phone went dead, I was trying to explain to you that Dec. is a good time of the year when people understand that they need to give and make the baby Jesus happy because of his birthday. Besides the Christmas meal, we really have some other needs to take care of. To maintain the whole project and to keep this orphanage and school running is really expensive.
"Feeding the children is our main priority, then comes the payment of the orphanage and school staff which is close to $90,000 D.R. Plus the payment of the telephones, electricity, the purchase of the drinkable water (14 gallons twice a week), the gasoline for both cars, sending teenagers to school, AND the unexpected emergencies when a car needs to be repaired, a child get hurt or sick, or when the electricity needs to be fixed... when there is an emergency in the community they come directly to our Oasis, and a multiple of unexpected issues arise that we never know of...all of these things are supposed to come from tuitions.
The current income from tuitions is $ 86, 000 D.R./month and we seldom receive it on time, which comes to US$1,600 a year short and we have to pay also an extra month salary to the teachers (imposed by the government). I think when you receive extra funds or double funds for Christmas try to wire ASAP as you can see we are behind and want to start clear of debts for the new year.
Things are costing too much money here and that is our major problem, as inflation ate our profits from the school. The first year of the school we were able to plan ahead, save and pay back some of the loan, but now it is impossible as we can’t raise tuition the way inflation is going up, up and up. That is why we need your help, or I need to let go some of the children (retarded --8 of them, like Maylon above--, battered children etc who have nowhere to go!). My heart can’t do that, I hope you understand.
God bless you, Marie, and all the ones who contribute faithfully to us. Domínica"
Updated list of DOMINICA CURRENT NEEDS
February 18, 06:
1. We still wish for a commitment from generous persons interested in feeding the children on a monthly basis in order to free my mind and concentrate more on the current problems of the orphanage/school. $1,000/month so we can feed 15 more kids (now only 35 are on the program). Dominica has 277 orphans and poor children paying between 0 and $13/ month, which is not enough to pay for 10 teachers, a psychologist and a bookkeeper, a cook, a lady who give baths to the children and wash their laundry. That is why, most of the time
we go beyond our budget. And we cannot raise tuition as we would loose too many poor children. So $$$ for food have to come from different sources.
Luimi, Dawris & Jimenez Rojas + Anibal in the back. All 6 years old.
Anibal, 6, above and Jose, 2.5 just came as their mother is mentally retarded and can't deal with them.
2. Blue jeans, bathing suit, towels, etc for all our 72 children who depend on donation to be clothed.
3. Also vitamins, band-aids, first Aid kits, intelligent & SMALL games.
4. Sponsor a child. $100/month covers his food/education/books/clothes/medicine or clinic bills if need be.
$25,000 US to add a dormitory upstairs for boys as we have 6 right now sleeping on mattresses in the dining room since they have no place to live, AND one for girls with separate entrance. This will include: roof, floor, windows, doors, plaster, and an emergency toilet. It would cost about $ 13,000 US if we start with ONE dormitory only. And $10,000 if we add 2 rooms upstairs, one for sowing and other skills and one guest room for all the volunteers and visitors who rather be close to the children.
5. A large donation to build the second floor to the school so Dominica can give the teenagers classes in electricity, carpentry, plumbing etc.
I see David on front row, left