Dominica Orphanage - Latest News

It is really difficult for us at the end of each month to find $3,030 to cover all these expenses. And it does not include the food for the kids: The generous monthly contribution of Mr. Alain Franques and Ali Tehranchi for $1,800 U.S. helps a lot but is not enough to feed all the children we would like to. Thank you, dear Alain, please continue to feed our children. With much blessings, Domínica

The group of youths that became Freshman is now attending an outside high school and as you can see their uniform is different. We need to thank the generosity of Mr. Alicio Piña for his $5,000. JUST a week before school started we had a visit of this ANGEL..

" We are, each of us angels with only one wing; and we can only fly by embracing one another."

THANK YOU Mr. Alicio for your generous donation which allowed us to cover also urgent needs around the orphanage/school:

#1- The teens and children's completion with their school items and text books for this new school year, uniforms were bought for a group that almost lost hope of attending school this year.

#2- The blue Van was repaired and is transporting our youths to the high school. The windows can now open and our children can have some air.

#3- Two boxes of English books for a new level of English class. 50 of the new children enrolled in our program are receiving this English class since September 4th!!

#4- Four boxes of initial and elementary education books were bought in order to benefit a good group of children for whom orphanage has been their home for a long time.

#5- The carpenters got their handwork paid.

#6- Uniforms for 14 of the teachers for the whole year were also bought.

I went through a very tough time before I received your funds. Ms. Gayle, a Kids International member living here, advanced money for us. You have done a terrific manifestation in giving back a lot of hope to a large group of children. Thank you for allowing them to be enrolled in this school year and make them feel like they have tios y tias far away from here that love and care about them. And thank you for making them feel like they are not orphans, or abandoned, or extremely poor. They are now full of hope and feel loved. Thanks a million. Domínica

September 17 06:

"Dear Leanne,   -- It is SO kind of you to keep all our children in your thoughts by raising funds in your restaurant. Funds are always needed in our orphanage/school for our emergencies and multiple monthly costs.

The kids still remember the wonderful Christmas that you and your family offered them. It really was the biggest Christmas time that they all had. In our circle of prayers this is one of the things that they are asking to their God Father....a Christmas like last year. You really did a magnificent job for all of them and we'll never forget you.

Everything is doing fine as we are living from the grace of our Savior. We are able to feed our children thanks to one angel called Mr. Alain who is sending a donation of $1800 U.S and another monthly support of $700 US from a church in Florida. The rest of the funds come from different loans in order to continue our everyday work of 14 hours a day. Your funds are welcomed and very much needed. We all pray that you can have a good long health and can stay with us for a long time. Our children/teens need you and your beautiful family.

Much hugs and kisses to all your brothers in law and your sisters and of course your mother and father. Blessings, Domínica

September 2: Here is a letter from Dominica about the removal of the hair lip from Junior:

"Dear Servants of God,

First of all let's join and give glory to our Savior for being with Junior while his surgery. It really took four hours when we were expecting 6 or 9. He is giving answering with his eyes until the doctor gives him the permission to talk or open his mouth. He is doing very well with his eyes for the moment. We are extremely excited for this new miracle that you accomplished. Things like this will receive many many gifts from Heaven. Junior and all of us here will ever feel SO thankful for your kindness and your passion for the needed orphans children of the D.R.

Allow me to thank you on behalf of Junior, his two sisters (Teresa and Denisse) his father, his mother (who was all the time around him from the Heaven), from all our 330 children, THANK YOU from the deepest of my heart to the doctors who volunteered. You arranged this operation for our Junior without cost since we did not pay for any of the cost, except for transportation and the purchase of the blood. It would cost us a lot of hundred of dollars and we won't ever be able to go on with these operation costs. Thank you dear Jean for your encouragement and guidance in order to bring a new smile and transformed his new lips and mouth. Your gift will come from our Universe Father, AMEN. In God's service always,   Domínica"

" A big thank you to this group of saints who reached out their goals, during their time here.

The Blue House Effect Foundation from Canada, brought 7 of its teachers, all principals from public schools to give an enrichment workshop to our Domínica's teachers. It took place in one of the Boca Chica's Resort. Our teachers were overwhelmed and at the end of this event, tears and words came from all our teachers hearts. A lot of strategies, school plan, activities and teachers managements were taught to 19 of our teachers. Allana Rose who is the chair person of this organization has been flying to our orphanage/school since 1999. Allana and her missionaries have changed many ways of living in our community of La Ureña. Families living in the worse poverty are praising the name of the Lord and the Blue House Foundation for their new house built by them. This special woman helped significantly for the acquisition of the property and construction of our Life Skill Center (orphanage part).
We also need to extend our gratitude from the one hundred children that she and her group assisted with 100 hundred sport pants, 130 white shirts and one hundred back packs and text books for 35 of the teens (one set of 6 books each). It was such a significant push for this group of children in order to have a satisfactory school year.90 more children, are praying hard for these school items, as this would allow our two hundred children unable to afford their school items for the 4th of September to be fully ready.
A Special thanks to Mr. Brad M. Kennan who committed to print the sport T-shirts for this school year. We would appreciate to receive them before the 4th of September if it is possible. This is his 2nd year of he committed to help!! In God's service, Domínica"

August 3 2006: Letter from Dominica.

"This Summer our orphanage/school had the visit of 23 christians from Washington, D.C. who came and blessed the Lord with all our students. They installed six ceiling fans in the classrooms, so teachers and children can have better breeze while they are working. And a few more repairs were made around the facilities. People of God doing their mission around the world, blessings to each one of them.

We were pleased to have with us last week for four days the wonderful family of Mike & Terri Hainsworth, Elliott, Jaime and Jessica (green shirts), neighbors of Don Binns, from a United Methodist Church from Florida. They received for the first time our 25 new children from the Cry of La Ureña and some kids for whom the orphanage has been their only home for years. This family left their hearts here. The joy and love received from them to the kids was great and unforgettable. They committed to return in October.
All visitors comment on how our children have good manner and discipline, always smile and thank. They just automatically love them and are impressed by their strong trust in God.

"Our 26 adolescents who graduated this year, will be transported in our blue Van (which is getting too old and take a lot of funds to be repaired) bringing our youths to a high school, are also in need of a good angel to support the funds for gas: $300/month for 20 school days and the cost of $700 pesos(=$ 23.00 US/month and per child) One set of five books for the year for each child is $100 US (or $ 3000 D.R).

And the good news is that a foundation called Kids International that knows us for 14 years now, are kindly offering to pay for their books (one time gift) and gas money in order to allow these students to go on with their studies.

"Good news also. We just enrolled 25 of the 190 children on our waiting list for this new school year 2006-2007. This group is very special as the children all come from what we call "The Cry Of La Ureña" where the conditions are not for the children of God.

Our top of the list priority is to find an angel (or angels) to pay for our 200 or so children attending school for $0, $3 or $5/month when we need $13 to function. Out of the 330 children attending our school, only 130 pay full tuition. We have about 20 children with some kind of help from their sponsors. For the children to receive a quality education, we need curriculum teachers who can receive a decent salary and on time.
We are asking Jihad Shelbie from Canada who has a beautiful devotion and passion for our orphanage/school, Mr. Don Binns who masterminded the shipment of 8,500 lbs in June to us with enough blue jeans, pants, shoes, shampoo, soap, socks, toothbrushes and toothpastes, underwear for boys and girls, deodorants and towels for this school year and MUCH more or others to achieve this goal. May the Spirit of God always walk with you Don. Our prayers go days and nights to these special beings.

Thanks also to Mr. Alain for his continued monthly support of $1800 US that he committed for feeding the children. He makes a huge difference as with the $700 from Florida church, these are the only monthly contributions allowing us to buy cereal, milk, rice and beans and sometimes chicken for the 65 children and teens who everyday are looking forward to their meals. Someday dear brother your gift will come from Heaven!!!! Currently we feed 65 children with an adult per table (teacher or assistant) in order to remind them of good manners, and kids can feel like a mother or father is close to them at this special moment.

The school t-shirts with our logo are all made by a friend of Mrs. Jean Dye, Brand Kennon. He committed to send us another 400 which we pray to receive before September in order to follow the rules and regulations from the school district. Thank you, thank you señor Kennon.

Barbara Arbolino and Wanner, rotarian friends from Jackson Rotary Club of New Jersey also make sure that we receive English books for Spanish speakers. Last year we received them by Fedex and the first group of children are speaking some English!!!!! They currently are on the 4th level!! Even though we have 5 different groups of 38 students in different levels. God bless her always for the help with this project. Thanks also for the three kids that your friends committed to support and thank you so much for the material for our sewing classes.

This past month we also received 20 school chairs (still 40 needed). . These were donated by Mrs. Jean Dye. Thank you for your commitment, Jean. They are already in the classrooms waiting for the school year in September, along with two chalkboards, and three desks gifted by this white angel

Our big sister Marie, is such a protector for our big extended orphanage/school family. She always give so much hope and love, is interested in and concerned for our children to be loved, healthy and protected. May the divine light of God give you the strength and long life for your continued caring and devotion for all of us down here. Thank you so much. And we want also our true friend Patrizia Pierantoni to come back and meet with all her children and students...we still love her deeply...we all miss her every day,

Blessings," Domínica

July 1st: School is over and Summer classes are busy.
Starting on July 7, 2 teachers are going to give 7 classes a day to our children with the 16 current computers running. Dominica will give English herself: 4 classes a day to 35 children, plus 1 guitar class now that they have 10 running guitars! Marie is covering the computer teachers, we need some donations for the English + French and guitars classes.

NOW is also the time to build a huge room above the orphanage, with partitions for a huge room for groups, guitar and English classes, sowing & TV rooms, a cultural/learning center, etc. Dominica has a cost estimate of $500,000 pesos ($16,000. Contributions are most urgently needed! Photo at left, "ice cream is good till the last drop!" Below students learn to fold napkins.

Graduation
"To morrow is the last day before the 8th graders promotion 2005-2006. Everyone is very excited and all these children are feeling very proud. We think when the children, teens or even adults in this community are capable to read and spell well, they are out of the darkness. Close to 60 students will be on this graduation this Friday at 4:00 pm.

Remember that the highest qualifications are six stars. Report cards shows among others: Antonio got 3 stars, Marcos got 3, Jaset got 2, Penni Sue got 5, George Luis Mendez (who was repeating 5th grade) got 3, Peña got 5, Julissa got 5, Loandy got 5, Ambar got 4, Francisco just 1, Athenas 5, Justin 5, Danfri got 2, Jaina got 4, I can go on and on and only from each of the grades of 32 students approximately three or four got the 6 !! It is not easy to reach the 6, Six are excellent but, 5 means that they are really good students, 4 and 3 sufficient, 2 and 1 mean that they need to improve.

II will be sending pictures of the graduates so you can see how the educational part is coming along with the Social Plan (= the orphans, abandoned and needy children) and private students. The Christ of Cornerstone Church is assisting the orphanage children with their graduate clothes as they did last year. The rest of the items and expenses I am borrowing. All my heart and passion is put into this dream so all our children can do their best and work hard in school." Dominica

June 20 2006: Happy News.

The cargo got released to Dominica after 2 months in customs. Hurray! 8,500 lbs are making many happy faces in La Urena. 4 tables and 25 chairs to sit downstairs or in computer room feels like "being in a hotel" to Dominica!

Here is Jean's note (click under June 2006 photos in recent photos):

"Today was incredible. My heart overflows with joy from today's visit with the children. You cannot even begin to feel the joy in their hearts and on their faces when they were given the opportunity to CHOOSE toys and clothes from all of the sources. It was just incredible.

ALL OF US hope that you can feel the gratitude in our hearts for what you have done for the children, for their neighbors, and for their families in LaUrena. The Women in Crisis were in tears as they expressed their gratitude for opening the doors to share the adult clothes with them as well as items for their children. EVERYONE was blessed and left with a feeling of abundance - that their needs had been met. It was just.

Clothes, shoes, school supplies were all taken to Gail's apartment where they will bestored and give to the children when school begins. I have already heard from Brad Keenen in Lima, Ohio, who volunteered again to make new shirts for all of the children for the new school year.

All the extra donations (like large clothes) are being distributed to other people in need like at the Evangelist or Adventist Church as they are too big for our children. Women in crisis will get 18 boxes of sheet, towels etc on Tuesday, along with the children. All the community benefit.

Hopefully Dominica will send me more pictures of the happy faces. A lot a thanks go to the many contributors, especially friends of Don Binns with whom this would not happened. And of course Jean and PB Dye, Mike who coordinated everything, so no extra duties for our free goods.

April 22: Dominica's 40th birthday, on holy Friday was perfect:
She had close to 200 people come (including some local political persons, Jean etc) and watch a play, (Janolis played the Christ), they sang, they ate! See photos here Easter 2006 photos.

Then, on Saturday, Jean and PB Dye invited 80 children (by bus) to come to celebrate at their home, with games, pool, plenty of food and 2 munecas. Everyone LOVED IT. Check the photos too.

If you know of a lot of items being thrown away this is a wonderful donation center like we could have used those blankets thrown away for our future dormitories! Jean mentioned this private company doing wonders on the world level. Recovering things thrown away and redistributing to people in need I like that. It is what we do. http://www.gftw.org/sendto.html - pass the word around

April 12 This new angel Don is making miracles happen.

First he let us use an airplane with 30,000 lbs capacity to go from Miami to Santo Domingo. Then he called all his friends in Florida to help and sent a convoy to bring the packages in time for the airplane. Jean described this mission lived with passion:

"Don is having somewhat of an "abundant blessing situation". His very large truck which was making the convoy down the West Coat of Florida is packed full - he has five more stops to make so tonight they will repack all the goods and begin again with another truck tomorrow. Such a blessing to have this situation - they have already received 250 pairs of new blue jeans, 250 pairs of new tennis shoes, underwear, hundreds of tee shirts, pots and pans for the kitchen, toys for the children, flip flops, bathing suits, vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste - and they are still early in the pick-up. They received the 21 chairs that were needed for the computer room. It is so wonderful to be getting the reports from the people who so joyfully are giving to the children.

A little story - one of the girls in Don's office went to the local Wallmart (I think) to purchase jeans. Don asked her to purchase all of the jeans in the store. When she entered thru the front door of the store, the announcement was made "all the jeans in the store are on sale for half price." She called Don to tell him that this is truly a "Miracle in the Making". This is just one of the wonderful "abundant blessings" that are happening as "these friends of Don" are gathering their shipments for the Dominica Orphanage.

I know that both of you are smiling and your hearts are also filled with JOY and APPRECIATION for these "friends of Don" who are also the new "friends of the Dominica Orphanage." Much love and blessings, Tia Jean and Tio P B" April 10

these 2 photos represent what most families live in in La Urena.

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.

I see David on front row, left

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!

- 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.

Tonight 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!

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.

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!

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.

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.