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January 29, 2012:
A few updates/explanations for
the pictures I TOOK DURING MY 5 WEEKS trip to the Dominican
Republic. For 4 weeks I shared with several groups of children
to have true vacation. First Punta
Cana with LeAnne.
Then 3 in La
Estancia in La Romana as it is finally finished and very
pleasant with a large pool for the kids. Then 4 teenagers
Then Dominica + 8.
I must say I am enjoying the quiet again which is the big plus
of this golf estate
I had a chance to catch up with Dominica and her latest
projects:
-
La Urena is a lot cleaner and
there is still twice a month a collect of trashes by the
children/ Good large garbage bags still needed
2. The big news is that money is apparently ready to build
finally 3 or 4 classrooms above the current classes which are
too tight for the 25 teenagers/ So Dominica thinks that it will
be done in 2 months, even if it takes 3 months it is wonderful
news.
3. There are currently 415 children enrolled of which 190 do not
pay as they belong to social plan as they cant afford it – but
30 or so have a sponsor. Dominica is so happy to be able to
provide education to the teenagers she helped at the orphanage
since they were 3 years old or younger. If
she accepts kids from public school for the last 2 years, the
overall results of Dominica school will suffer because those
teenagers are not at the same level. Now she has 100% success
rate. She also was able to welcome 120 new students that have
been on a waiting list for a long time. I
believe there are still 80 on the waiting list
at this time..
-
She has still the best scores
over 1000 schools of the region. The
Minister of Education congratulates her every year but gives
very little: this year they gave 80 new desks for high
school students and 80 for her
younger classes and 50 or so computers for the young ones.
-
In the afternoon, she has many
classes to keep the kids out of the street and trouble –
like English class (one lead by her 13 year old daughter who
is an excellent teacher with 35
students).
then piano lessons, guitar
lessons. Choir (80 kids belong to it and she is starting to have
a good reputation to go singing with 30 of them in Punta Cana at
Hotel Iberostar (thanks to Jean and PB Dye) for Christmas carol
and more. But also
companies like Orange ask the children to sing when they have a
special event. Dominica hopes they will donate many computers
for the room which look pitiful with currently only 8 working
computers
but also sowing classes and other languages when there is money
to pay for teachers.
9 So what happened
to our orfans and the dormitories? They
are still there from 6 am to 7 pm, THEN THEY GO to foster
families, or grandparents etc
as the dormitories are being used for classes, and half of the
dining area. So when the new classrooms are operative, she will
have dormitories again
I asked about Penny Sue and she is no longer in La Urena, she
has been adopted by a family and gives classes to the younger
ones, somewhere in Higuey. Peno/junior
is very well alive, studying very well. He is 2 years away from
graduation. And Joanna, 28 whose mother is blind and now giving
massage, has 3 children of her own and same husband.
All 19 who graduated in June are at the university, some with
more semesters paid for than others. They are also working to
support themselves. Jose
Antonio is taking electrical engineering classes.
10. Dominica
also received a call from Martine who brought clothes and shoes
to be picked up in Casa del campo in La Romana. Dominica
was here, so we met her and received the gifts which were
welcomed by some of the kids she brought along. Interestingly,
French Martine found us through the website, and followed the
Wish list, and voila magic happened. Thank you Martine
11. I
love this country as they invent or take advantage of
opportunities. Dominica
came with the grandmother of originally 10 children. Totally
BLIND who for years has been begging downtown with a child and
later grand child. But
no more. She took a class for massage (along with 24 more) for 6
months/. She is quite good and strong as she gave me 6 massages
at $11 each. I was happy and she too. She
is quite a woman and cooks for herself etc Now
she regained her dignity. NICE
12. I
will update the wish list, by adding VITAMINs (+ outdated
medicine which is
better than none!), cream for sweaty breasts line/insects/moskitoes/parasites
- White
socks reaching the knee for their uniform
+ DVD as David donated a new DVD players for the orphans. I am
sure you can find old DVD you no longer play, English, Spanish,
whatever, kids love them , especially if there are singing… I
brought Star wars, Lord of the Ring…
13. Besides computers,
Dominica would love to find $16,000 to buy the small land
attached to the dining area, so she can expand, and before
someone buys it. This
is very much needed.
14. Now
that the orphanage/school runs pretty well, Dominica would like
to start guiding/teaching/sponsoring what she learned to others
directors and staff. She
definitely has something to teach/give them (besides her hard
work) and that is called LOVE.
NB: If helpers or volunteers whom Dominica knows want to relax
after. They are welcome to my apartment in La Estancia for a few
days, let her know. She knows all the details.
November 22 2011:
"Dec. is getting
close and our government requires that all the teachers and
staff be paid
an extra month salary. It is always a challenge to find the
extra $$$. Our teachers and staff do
not have insurance or any welfare. The monthly cost for the 25
teachers and staff is $ 5,000 US.
We will need this ammount for the extra month salary by December
15th. We start praying
that these extra funds will be there.<p>
Christmas dinner expenses for the children has been promised by
BHE from Canada. Anyone is welcome to
to join so we can invite more children to Christmas dinner Eve.
Or
We dont have yet a sponsor for Three King's Day...where the kids
receive a toy that day (Jan. 6th).
We would love to be able to give a toy to each one of our good
children! (cost is around $200??)
Also the property next to the orphanage that we need badly for
more space, is on sale for $13,000 US.
So remember our children and their needs for Christmas, any
gesture will be very much appreciated.
Much peace and blessings as always, Dominica"
November 1st -
"Hello dear Marie...We just received two more suitcases with
Stewart and his mother. They met the kids and the whole school
and promised me to return and visit
another time. They really liked the children and i hope that
they can come real soon and spend more time with us.
We received a bunch of white shirts for our children of the
promise choir and more clothes for the cherups as well! Thank
you for being thinking about us
and suplying the needed items for the orphanage. I also got a
few frames. I put pictures and it looks really beautiful.
Thank you for the five hundred check that we also received. It
helps signifficaly with the multiple costs every single month.Be
blessed, Dominica"
An angel LeAnne hold a breakfast every october from 7 am-11 am
at Amore Breakfast at 309 Shore Road in Ogunquit, Maine. She
just hosted her 6th Benefit
Breakfast to raise money for Dominica Orphanage. The staff of
Cafe Amore and Amore Breakfast donate their time and energy to
help raise funds. 100% of the
proceeds go to Dominica and the kids. Thanks to Sysco for
donating eggs and Country Kitchen for providing bread! In the
past, they have raised nearly $10,000
and helped with the cost of new bunk beds when the dormitories
were expanded, provided funds for an enclosed courtyard where
the children have a vegetable garden,
and a shady yard, plus food, shoes, clothing and other
necessities. They asked for a minimum donation of $10 per person
for a full breakfast. The results are in
and $1650 were raised.
Bravo Leanne for your continuing support and efforts. Without
you, this will not happen!
September 2011
"Hello Marie, Karl, Jaqueline, Ali, Ellie,
Dinny.. Thank you so much for your generosity towards our
children. Every time you send us bags (6 this time),
you solve many problems for children being naked or without
shoes. Your funds also helped the last high school graduates to
attend university, especially
Erudis Reyes Romero who teaches the 4th graders in the morning
plus of course, the general costs to run an orphanage like
replacing batteries for the
inversor, fix water pump so we dont have to carry buckets of
water (since a month!) leakages, tuition for some of the social
plan children, pay some
elementary teachers and be responsible for 77 children and
teenagers. You are often in the prayers of the children. We pray
to heaven that good people can come to us and help us in our day
to day work for the children. Be well and always happy,
Dominica".
Thank you also for <b>all the volunteers you are sending us,
whether they come for a day, a week, a month or 3 months,
children love them and always have work or teaching for them!
June 24, 2011
"High School Graduation Ceremony. Twenty one of our high
school children finished high school and are ready to face the
outside world. Five of these young people were sponsored with
full scholarships during their university lives by Toronto
Canada, Blue House Effect org. In addition, this organisation selected
eight more children from our Social Plan to receive their
first semester tuition to start college.
Here are the happy photos of the ceremony for 21 graduates who could not have done it without Dominica. Hurray to her and all the teachers
who supported them. Bravo to all who made this possible.
It took place on June 24th 2011 at a hotel in Santo Domingo East. Twenty one of our high school children are now ready to face life.
The circle of friends of Jeanie and PB. Dye and Blue House Effect, in partnerships, joined efforts to give continued education support
to the children. Once again... Muchas Gracias to these two organizations and its representants, Ms. Allana Rose Featherstone and Jeanie
and P.B Dye..And to you Marie and your friends. If it were not for your oil business and your Web, we never would have had the opportunity
to meet Jeanie and PB. and many many more of your people who helped and cared about us and our children. Thank you Marie!!
Much hugs and kisses from all the children, Dominica"
P.s.: The cost per student to attend the university is $500 US$ (18,000 pesos) per semester = twice a year. So $4,000
will cover a student university life, as far as the university is concerned. What a difference with the US costs!!!
Please help a student if you can. Gracias
March 7 2011: Just back from
Dominican Republic where Dominica takes care of 415 children in
the school section and feeds 85 everyday, and of course she has a
hard time paying the bills, as the adolescents have a BIG
mouth!!!
Her pride this year is the 18 adolescents graduating (they are
good students) and going to University in August if they have the
money. About half of those students have been with her since
they were 3 or 5 years old! 6 of them have a commitment from
Allana and her marvelous group in Canada. Dominica has a
celebration in a hotel on May 25 and invites everyone.
I now know why Dominica is loved in her community. She
decided that the slum the school is in was filthy and she decided
to do something about it. So very Friday, the children take a
trash bag and come to school picking up every trash they find.
Pretty soon the parents felt bad about kids doing that, so they
stopped trashing the community where 3 to 4,000 people live. And
when I came I commented on how clean the area was. It worked!!!
Bravo Dominica.
Also, on my lunch there, Dominica asked to speak and started
congratulating an 8 year old who had been abused at 6. She was in
her corner and asked me constantly if she could trust me etc...
Now Dominica spent 5 minutes congratulating her about her reading
ability (finally) and how neat and cleaned she looked. The girl
did not know what was happening, she had that beatitude smile on
her face. Then everyone started clapping. Her self esteem is on
its way back. She did 5 children like that. What a powerful way
to build self confidence back on abused children.
Now, Dominica is so happy to see 18 children graduating. It
has been a long process, as the school district would not allow
her to teach beyond 4th grade, then 8 grade, and now
since 2 years her “children” are able to go directly
to university (with excellent grades) if they find the $1500
necessary per year
See their face. They need your help!
Also Dominica gave a group of volunteers coming to visit what
children and teachers need most:
12 computers (laptop best) for the oldest students. They ave 6
and there is room for 20! Once we have those, the younger
children will have access to them. As right now, the teacher has
to repeat 3 times the class. A good second hand computer will
work. Does someone has the time, or connections so we could have
some donated. I always find it bizarre that Dominica receive the
best compliments about the grades of her students among her large
district schools (some 200 or so) but the government or private
companies never offer to give her some equipment. She covered
English classes for everyone but nowadays, they also need to be
good in computers if they are to find a job. We need to
concentrate on that.
Blessings, Marie
November 30: "We want to thank
you for thinking of our children at this critical time. It has
been very hard for me to maintain the school and the orphanage
with all the costs we face each month. The older children assist
the youngest with all their needs and help to do chores. It is so
rewarding to see how different, respectful they are from the rest
of the children in the community.They have become models to
follow for the school district. We are planning to celebrate
Christmas and invite anyone who wants to participate. Peace and
gratitude. Dominica"
NOVEMBER 11: “Please extend my gratitude on
behalf of all our wonderful children! Ali's regular contribution
helps us give a better care to our program. The monthly costs are
extremely high for us and people like Ali and Ms LeAnne –and
a few other angels around us-- make this lovely heaven a reality
for our children. Tell Tio Ali and Carole that we would like to
see them by Christmas. Children appreciate receiving people and
feeling loved by them.
October 23 2010: I just came back from Santo
Domingo where I caught up with Dominica. She enrolled for the
school year 400 children, the most ever from kinder Garden to the
end of High School and is proud of that. But times are rough
throughout the world and even more in D.R., the other side of
Haiti...
The problem is that Dominica does not have the
heart to tell poor children who have been with her for so many
years that she can no longer feed them or wash their clothes
etc.. She has 94 such kids which is nearly 1 out of 4. I
told her she has to let them go in order to survive... unless
some nice contributions come along. The school indeed makes
enough money to support itself, but receiving $0 from the
government for the children she rescues, or the school (though
the government realizes that the most important service that
Dominica's program is offering to the community is the education.
Despite the school being in a very poor neighborhood, it is
considered one of the best school in the whole region). There
comes a time when borrowing $$$ to feed them is the only
alternative. But the interest rates are shockingly high in DR so
we dont want to go there.
Also, with the high school students, she needs
a strong computer class. She has 6 working computers for 30+
students. The teacher is there, the room too, but we are lacking
25 laptops or computers.
SO $$$ and COMPUTERS are the highest priorities
I will be away in December for an operation so
this is the only notice you will receive from me this year.
Hoping you will remember our children this year,
receive all my blessings
Marie ******************************
JUNE 2010: Another school year finishes. Here is
what Dominica had to say:
“We
hope and pray that this short note will find you in the love of
our Savior. The children and adolescents are healthy. Once in a
while we have to take them to a clinic but it did not happen
since last April. They are such good children. They are very
focused in school and last Friday we had a ceremony for the
children who learned how to read and write well and the kids that
finished the elementary school who are now going into high
school. This is our first high school year that we just ended. It
was a big experience for me to have all the big boys and
girls who I raised here in our environment. Next year we will
have our first graduation for the Seniors! One of our visions was
to put our children into college lives directly from our
school. And this just happened. We also recognized and
thanked the boys and girls who have worked hard helping the
little children in the orphanage.
Senor Ali, we have heard a lot about
you and we all know that you have been helping us with monthly
funds through Alain and Marie. We have received your very needy
funds for a few years now. It had helped us significantly
with cereal, milk and pampers for the children. Also we are able
to pay a few of our bills that are a priority for the operation
of the program. Please do not forget us....we count on a few
people like you to do a lot of work with the humble children of
God.
We cannot wait to meet you, your daughter Nathalie
and your wife.
May the Holy Lord bless your spirit. With
Gratitude, Dominica”
 
more on the girls coming up!
February 14, 2010: Already 5 weeks since I
came back from DR, and my new installation took most of my time.
My apologies. I have 600 photos to go through and a new computer
quite different that ask me to
be smart! Children had a lovely
Christmas eve and then 3 kings day -sponsored by PB and Jean Dye.
You should have seen those 100+ kids when their name was called
and then received presents from PB. Thanks to Jean and Dominica,
presents were mostly educative so they last a bit longer. Even
Niki got a start at cell phone and loved it! Here are a few
photos and more will be posted under photos 2010 soon!
I also took 4 children to Punta Cana and the
beach and they thoroughly enjoyed the all inclusive! Then I took
Sebastian and Harold to La Estancia hotel as their mother died 6
months ago after years of asthma attacks. Those 2 are so
wonderful and handle it beautifully even though everyone ask many
details on how it was for them etc... Questions you would not
dare to ask here, but they took it as support and caring.
December 8 2009: I met a wonderful expert on
solar energy for recharging batteries and here are his thoughts:
(this would remove a BIG headache for Dominica and the
school/orphanage):
"
If you want back up power at your school, then create a
fund for it. It would seem that donations into it would be
tax deductible. Plan for establishing the infra-structure
to manage the fund and acknowledge donations. As an estimation -
without having any facts on your situation. A minimum
system should be about 10 amps continuous or about 1500 watts and
run about 10 hours without grid electricity. I suggest you
establish a goal of collecting $10,000.00 US.
I would also add to your
school courses - a series on renewal resources with titles like:
global warming- the state of the oceans, the sun, wind, tides as
electrical solutions to capture, store and utilization. This
can be demonstrated by your school system and taught. Not
only will you benefit short term your school requirements but in
the long term effect knowledge, solutions, and jobs in Santo
Domingo." Michael.
November 30: I have been busy moving (after 20
years!), my apologies. And Christmas is around the corner (I am
leaving on the 17th for the orphanage!!) Wow.
So what Dominica need the most??? Basically
$$$ as last week she had no transportation because both jeep and
bus were in the shop and no money to pay the bills and I could
not help either! And she is still short in commitment to feed and
take care of the 62 orphans
Besides that, i know underwear for both boys
and girls ANY AGE, SHOES, stickers, crayons and books to color as
children love to do that and there is never enough material!
and laptops for the teenagers to do their
studies.
so if you know anyone going to DR, especially
from Washington DC area, I have lots of things to ship. I have
packed 3 computers in 6 suitcases and I will take 3 laptops with
me but we need MORE...
so will let you know if Dominica has more
urgent needs.
Blessings - Marie
From
Allana, a strong suporter of dominica for more than 10
years:.."This summer we worked with some of the older
children on songs and took them into the city and had them
record. The process of producing a CD was quite a time
consuming learning curve for me....but finally it is finished and
we have all the copyrights and I pick them up tomorrow.
They do make good Christmas gifts too...
If you have
an interest in buying some just let me know....I can send them to
you. All the money will be sent to the orphanage and
school. They are $20 each and the checks can be made out to
Blue House Effect and sent to 2491 Marlene Stewart St.,
London, ON N6K 5R3 Canada
They do
sound fabulous....it is very exciting to hear the children on the
CD....the song list is:
1. I'm
Alive -
2. We Give, We Receive - 3. Eres Tú
- 4. Yes, Jesus Loves Me -
5. Cuan
Grand Es El -
6. Change My Heart O God - 7. The Rainbow Song
8.
Pescador de Hombres -
9. Jesus Draw
Me Close - 10.
You Raise Me UP
11.
Good Night Song -
Thanks so
much... I will bring some back in January Allana
Ken Brock went and delivered some goods to Dominica
and the children and was very impressed by their impeccable
behavior
He plans to go back
What
a wonderful idea, Shelley Ducker brought as a donation all of the
beaded necklaces and bracelets they made at the Jewish
Community Federation of Greater Washington, as a present for the
children. Here are some pictures.
Sept 24: and latest photos of smaller kids
waiting for school + Niko, now 3, I guess !
 
+ the 62 from dormitories praying and
sending gratitude before having lunch!
.JPG)
+ the older ones on social plan having lunch.
Enjoy
I recognize Peno and Marcos
.JPG)
Sept 19: "These pictures were taken the
first day of school. I am happy to tell you that we filled out
the expectative of the school district being one of many schools
in the district where the children showed up the first day of
school.
Marie...I
am in a big need of few tools for the science lab, didactic
auxiliary resources, a brighter library with certain
books approved by the educational department.. It is
demanded for this new educational area. There are still a
few more investments to set up the high school department
and we need a 6 kilos electrical generator as an alternative
emergency for these classes. Let your friends know about this. We
are counting on our Heavenly father and all our brothers and
sisters that care and think about us. Our children really deserve
to have a better education. They are so well behave and they are
starving to learn. They want to be part of the good group of the
community as they all know that this is the only way.
Let´s
all continue together to reach out, and transform the
lives of these young people. Blessings Dominica
September 9 09: Dominica is thrilled as she added
60 students this year, since she is now allowed to carry children
all the way through high school. So are older children on the
social plan are now back and glad too. So this is the most number
of students ever under her care. Will try to get photos!
Here is her email:
"Hello Marie - It has been a long time since
I spoke with you. I do not have cell phone at this time. I
lost mine when I was at the airport waiting for two people from
Miami. This couple found us thanks to your website and they
brought few school shoes for the children to attend school this
year!!
Many things had happened since we talked. School
year begun successfully with 387 students morning and afternoon.
From 7:20 am school start with 10 teachers and students from 6th
to Senior high school. All our big children are back to
our classrooms and system. They are all excited to be back to our
environment, rules and regulations. It has not been easy for me
to put some of these children in line as values and discipline,
habit to follow directions, have slacked while there were outside
our school. Now we can say that we are bringing them to
university level. When they finish with us here, we are going to
put them directly into professional careers. Another dream
has been accomplished!! Thanks to the generosity of few wonderful
angels that are assisting us with the payments of the new formal
license teachers this year. Kids International is paying
one of them. The Blue House Effect is paying for two
!! God bless them! The circle of friend of Don Binns and
Jeanie Dye paid for two this month and we pray that they
continue under monthly basis, for this year.
 The
small children in the orphanage are doing well, except for few of
them who get sick once in a while because of different virus.
Your essential oils are always useful for any kind of
sickness here in the dormitory. Most of the children from the
Social Plan and orphanage send a lot of hugs and kisses to
you. They cannot wait to see you in December. They keep
asking how many days are you going to stay. The high school
children are studying French and they are very excited to talk to
you when you come here.
Athenas and Armando are fine. Armando is back to
college thanks to Allana Rose and her organization . He is now
more focus and seems to be really grateful with the Universe.
Athenas is into her 8th grade this year. She is a very good
students. I never told her to do homework or any of her
responsibilities. I give thanks to God for that. Peno
is with Athenas and very happy to be enrolled in the school
again. Little Niko is growing everyday and going to
Pre school with the rest of the little children. Your Erika
is in the 4th grade and very dedicated as well as David.
As you know we have many things to deal with.
Cost and needs are everywhere and an urgent one is big fans for
the new area of Pre school as it is real hot. My office feels
like an oven. Also we need to do few payments like telephone
lines, Internet, garbage that we pay weekly; pharmacy needs to
receive its money for few medicines that they gave us under
credit. Many many blessings, Dominica”
JUNE 24 09: Another school year finished and here
are the graduates who could successfully read and write. They
are so cute!
  
DOMINICA also received in full the contribution
of William T which was pending since over a year. She breathes
better and can plan classes for the summer for the children.
Thank you William for your generosity.
May 7: an excellent article on Dominica
translated by Jean Dye. Enjoy
VALUE
OF THE MONTH
A woman who
fights for a better society
Article
by Ivelisse Villegas
in
Listin
Diario-
3/15/2009
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FOUNDER
DOMINICA ROSARIO HAS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN
BILINGUAL BASIC ELEMENTARY EDUCATION BY KEAN COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA
 Santo
Domingo. - When the wish to serve others comes
together with the interest to compensate society for
part of what life has given you, the result is a woman
who works to help the children and help a dispossessed
community. This union of ideas and values has a
name: Dominica Rosario
This
dark skin woman, with a look full of love, has a very
interesting life. Her story is very human.
Almost a novel. At a very young age she arrived
at the orphanage, where she spent her childhood and
the best of her youth years.
She
remembers when at the age of 11 she assumed the
responsibility of taking care of 15 children, acting
as a mother for them, making sure they did their
chores and being in charge of their hygiene and
general needs. While doing this with great love,
she dreamed and her dreams were about continuing this
project for those children, who just like her did not
have parents, nor a society which could look after
them.
She
starts receiving awards for her dedication and
devotion, which stimulated her to continue towards her
goal: return society what she was receiving. As
a teenager she participates in the program
“International Friendship” (youth exchange
between countries), created by the Rotary Clubs of New
jersey, District 764 and West Santo Domingo, District
406. Through this program she obtains a
scholarship and travels to the United States to study
Bilingual Basic Elementary Education at the University
Kean College in Pennsylvania. And she then
starts her journey through school teaching as an
elementary teacher at the New Albany Elementary School
in New Jersey.
Now
sitting in her modest office, she remembers how she
returns to the country with a suitcase full of dreams,
including working with those children that reminded
her so much of her past which is now her present and
her future. Once established, she works as a
language teacher at the Central del Este University
and later at the New Horizons School as a Music
teacher.
She
then withdrew from these scenarios to fully engage in
the care of orphans, looking to meet her needs for
training, she arrives to the community La Ureña,
located at kilometer 19 of Las Americas highway, where
her brother, Alexis Rosario, was already established
fullfilling the dream they both had while at the
orphanage. They start working with 18 children –
her brother looking after the orphanage and she in the
training area- says Dominica.
And
thus, they manage to materialize their project to what
is now the Center for Growth and Development Dominica.
With great sadness she mentions how, after the death
of her brother, she took total control of both areas,
and started her journey in pursuit of providing
shelter to children who were orphans, abused, or from
broken homes, and violent environments, providing with
an education based in moral and ethical values, both
children of the orphanage and students from the
community of La Urena and surrounding areas.
Dominica
explains: “The objective of the Orphanage
Center for Growth and Development Dominica is to
assure the guide and resources required for them to
develop a productive life, reaching a high sense of
self-esteem and develop successful careers or
professional lives that allow them to become
self-sufficient, able to face future challenges, thus
contributing to improve the society in which they
live”.
WORK
Dominica counts with the assistance of Patrizia
Pierantoni, a woman born in Venezuela, of Italian
origin, who grew up in Spain with the hope of finding
a niche to deposit her knowledge, and help
children.
The
Center for Growth and Development Dominica is a
private center and charges a monthly fee of RD$900.00,
(about US$30) but those in the orphanage are also part
of the educational center. They also welcome
those from social plans, whose parents are very poor
and cannot afford the monthly fee.
Her needs
are:
- Lack of Medicines.
- No health center or
clinics to take the children when they are
sick.
-They request the Ministry of Education
to pay for the teachers.
-Donations of all types.
Difficulties
The
hardest part is transforming the students’
families in order to obtain positive results.
Major
Achievement:
See
the children who grew up there, now professional
college graduates, and see how different they are from
others in the community.
"If
it was done with me, it can be done with others, and
that is my greatest satisfaction”. end of
article
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May
15 09: I
don't seem to find the time to put all my pictures on
the web, but I want to thank all my friends and
contributors who allow Dominica to breathe better each
day. She soon will be able to teach the children
through high school which has been a long time wish.
She now needs to find the funds for the teachers and
build new floors. I also want to acknowledge William
for his large contribution allowing the loan to be
reimbursed. Thanks to all Marie
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April
6th: More and more volunteers contact us to help
Dominica and the children. Dominica appreciate A LOT those
helpers as she does not feel alone doing the work. I just sent
6 suitcases = 300 lbs Shoes, towels, garbage bags and
medicine and essential oils were a hit. Here is what Dominica
had to say:
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"We just received the bags of
clothing, shoes and medicines. As soon as Armando
arrived from Punta Cana, all the children were very anxious
to see their clothes!!!!! Few of them got teddy bears and
few toys for girls. You have always made the kids so happy.
Athenas got her birthday cds and she is just jumping of
joy. Tomorrow few of the kids that were not going to the
school because of lack of shoes will go back to class!!
Thank you deeply for being aware of our needs here. In
God´s service, Dominica"
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  February
1st, 2009:I just made it back and have lots of pictures to
edit (3 to 400). So please be patient. Kids are in good shape
and
Allana and her group of 16 volunteers just did
an amazing job with water (coming from a well now, no more
expensive trucks coming 2/3 times a week), the new gas tank
upstairs is functioning - no more trips twice a week to get a
new portable gas tank); new earth in the park/garden so
vegetables could be planted; new ceramic project; some kind of
credit so women in crisis can work on their own project; new
trash area, separate from the kids playground, etc. etc. Bravo
Allana and your group.
I took 3 + 4 children for a week each to the
hotel, + 4 days at Jean and PB for a fabulous new year
celebration, + 9 kids for one day .
at the beach (see the ones left behind!) and
the fun for the 9 we took 
Magical Allana is working on many projects
with her team of 16: from current water from a well to gas
tank installed upstairs to save time and $$ with cooking.
Financial help is definitely needed. Just updated the wish
list.
for some photos click here:
http://www.4dshift.com/Orphanage06/2009photos.html
More to come soon - Marie
 
Dominica and Patrizia
with Keith, a caring visitor, in December and Nikos and his
back pack
December 8, 2008 : Dominica
and the children send their gratitude:
"During
the whole year, many prayers and thoughts were sent to
you.
With
the year 2008 pretty close to an end, our mouth need to
open to thank all of you for your magnificence and timely
support you gave us when we needed you.
Our
large program including the orphanage, the school, the
Social Plan children from the community, the Circle
of Women in Crisis, and the humble and homeless people
from the community who come to this place looking for
hope, all of them want to thank you very deeply. We
all want you to be aware of the love that we all carry in
our souls, because you make us feel like part of your
family, part of your hearts.
We
will continue praying and working hard for your good
health and for the love, funds and encouragement you
give us. They allow us to keep working with our young
children, and adolescents. as they learn and feed
their bodies day by day.
With
your new year support, we will continue emphasizing
academic rigor in all areas. We all know that the best
opportunity we can give to this group of humble
Dominican children is to achieve a good education that can
change their own lives and allow them to expand their
principles and values in the community and the dominican
society. We need more values, more respect, more people
willing to give back what they have learned and received
for free.
Once
again, our students were recognized in the school district
--and the first school period is not yet finished--. Our
orphanage and school did not participate in the English
Song Festival as they chose to give this opportunity to
another school. They asked me though to be one of the
judge with one of my college student.
I
ask them to write about their compromises (challenges?)
for next year and many of them wrote that if it were not
for this Oasis, (the school and the orphanage) and for the
angels who are sustaining us with prayers and funds, they
would not be alive and feeling God in their hearts.
So on behalf of our children, please accept our deepest
gratitude. Dominica"
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November 11, 2008: Accomplishments in
2008 and Urgent Needs for next year
in
2008, the biggest efforts and rewards were around the new
dormitories now hosting 56 new children desperately in need
of a home: a fantastic cooperation between the donors -
mainly Blue House Effect and Jean Dye and their supporters.
See the pictures on the web of those happy faces who moved in
in July.
And
a very necessary multi-room where children do home work,
computer classes, music, and are able to meet.
3.
A wonderful six week visit to MD by 7 from the orphanage.
Those are never going to be the same!
4.
The park turned into a garden to feed the children: 9
eggs/day; bananas, zuccini and melons, tomatoes etc
5.
A dining room back, as classes are limited to the school side
and this room is mainly reserved for the orphans and the
meals.
6.
Taking care of 77 + children thanks to all the donors.
7.
And Dominica who works 24x7 so the children have a
chance to study and be fed etc.
8. Patrizia
Pierantoni is back!!! Teaching English, working on the
curriculum for the older children and being a true right hand
for Dominica. 
9.
A cemented ground so Kids can stay cleaner longer!
And
Dominica's 6 most urgent needs
A.
$5,000 /month to feed and take care of the kids on a
regular basis. They just lost a major food contributor and
Jean and Don (who assumed this donation since July) are not
sure if they can find commitments to support the
orphans for 2009! I told Dominica to stop giving
chicken, fruits, etc and go back to rice and beans only.
And no Christmas dinner is planned at this time as there are
too many bills to catch up with.
B. The water
project $2600 need $1600 or more for the pump and the well, so
Dominica has unlimited water to bathe the children, wash their
clothes and cook their food.
C. The
installation of a big propane gas upstairs (for safety) and
cheaper in the long run as the current set up lasts only for a
week . This system will last 2.5 to 3 months.
D. Buy an
industrial stove (Allana group bought new burners), but the
problem is the stove and there is a need need for an
industrial stove About $1,000.
E.
A commitment for $450/month for telephone and electricity.
There are 3 telephones disconnected right now because 2 months
are due = $600 or so. Also staff taking care of orphans
are at least 2 months behind.
F. Down payment for a
newer jeep as the current one is 10 years old and often in the
shop.
So
we need donors and magicians to help her and the 77
children. Thank You!
October 22: What happened to the older
children Dominica raised?!?!
Dominica explains: "Everything
goes under daily plan, and we just trust so much our Heavenly
Father and welcome him to be permanent in our life and
to give us the strength, love and capacity to do his work here
in the orphanage. Is it possible to send us funds for last
month urgent needs like bread (the owner stopped delivering
last week, until we pay the last bill), the garbage,
the telephone will be disconnected. The truck to put water
into the cistern, made six different trips, with three trucks
each. Nice man, but asking for his money. Also four staff
person expecting their September salary.
The funds under
monthly basis received from Don and
Jeannie go to feed the children. It
does not include fruits. The higher cost here in the orphanage
is to feed the children, but we also need $$ to have
everything cleaned, washed. Our orphans are treated like
real children but the costs are much more expensive than our
adolescent group.
The rent of the house where I live has
two months behind now. The electricity in my place, isn't paid
either. I had to take my small salary and an advance to
a company for installing a well, which is an emergency
so we stop buying those expensive truckloads of water.
When the well is in place, we will have our own water and will
be able to share with our close community if they need
it. This water will be good for cooking, cleaning, bathrooms,
washing the clothes and uniforms, but not for drinking.
 The
cost of this well is $2600. The company comes, digs a deep
hole until they find water. It should take one day to dig the
hole and install the pomp which will solve a very
difficult and costly situation. The regular water from the
government is a real lottery.
.
I am using two addresses
to receive emails. I think dominica@tricom.net is not working
correctly or i need to pay it. Please send to this new
address: <dominica_rosario@yahoo.com>
and send it to the old ones as well.
Now,
I am so proud of our children David,
7, is a good leader; he is assisting many of the younger
children. Erika, 8,
is one of the best disciplined children and helping as
well. Pena Gomez (= Junior), 13,
is responsible to clean the whole area of the new
park and the side of the school, on Saturday and Sunday. He
needs to broom all the area. Antonio.
16. is responsible to clean the
dormitories, fix all the beds, sweep the floors, the bathrooms
and the whole area, just on the weekend.
Armando is in charge of maintaining the
jeeps, and giving some assistance to the computers and
equipment for the Art and Cultural classes twice a week.
Very soon Armando is going to organize short videos in CD
format for the orphanage and school to pass to you and the
donors, so they can have an idea of who we are. Antonio and
few of the older children are part of the team. Julissa,
16, is working every afternoon with homework given by the
teachers. Also she sleeps two nights of the weekend replacing
the women sleeping in during the week. Athenas, Justin and
Cheitania, 11, are working really hard around the dining
room and the meals, cleaning all the time to keep away
the flies. Making sure the little kids are getting well
behaved etc.
Paola Patricia, 14, (in green) is
working with special children in the afternoon who have
learning difficulties and following the psychologist's
recommendations; who is coming twice a week now. Also she  is
feeding the babies who drink bottle milk, making sure that
they all do. Rosanna, 16, is now, a good
supervisor to make sure that everyone is doing their work,
including the women that are under monthly salary. Rosanna
will be a good leader and she has all the keys to assist and
take care of the items that we have in the storage room.
And
Yeli, 16, is teaching in the morning with grade first,
she is my assistant. I am the one behind Yeli and mark the
needs of each one of the kids in first grade. I plan the
curriculum so she can follow it. Mairenis, 17, is
following the 6th grade curriculum and working with this
group of children. She is an excellent teacher and is
putting all her energy to teach this group of children.
Stephanie Martin, 16, is working with the curriculum of
Kinder Garden children. Giving these children just what they
need.
I am so proud of them, Marie! They multiply the work
I can do so we can meet our mission goals. They are passing on
and giving back what they received, just like me! I knew that
it was possible, if I give all my time and efforts, like I
received when I was growing up in the old orphanage, giving a
few hours as well.
 Thank
you and all the dedicated sponsors for allowing all this
to happen. You have pushed our ministry to be a true one and
able to serve the special children of the Universe. the
orphans, the abandoned and bitten ones. They will always love
you here on Earth and in Heaven. Blessings,
Dominica"
in red photo of latest who joined, Adrian,
locked in all day while his father worked!
And Thank you
LeAnne for the fundraising you just did in your Maine
restaurant. As always it came just in time of urgent needs
to be addressed so we could continue taking care of the little
ones. Thank YOU to the hundreds of your clients who made it
possible!
 October
21: "Dear Marie, I spoke to you in August about the money
my son Michael,15, raised for the Dominica Orphanage. In
his 9th grade social studies class he was asked to find a way
to help someone in need outside of the United States. He
selected the orphanage in Santa Domingo in honor of Davis
Ortiz who plays baseball for the Boston Red Sox and because he
wanted to help needy children. He contacted a family friend,
who donated 2 Red Sox tickets that he raffled off to students
and staff at his school. And here is a photo of Michael
Bilynsky with the $350.00. that he raised." -
Bravo
September 22: Thank you Ali and Celine for
your timely help. Even though many of the children got
conjunctivitis and other skin problems after all the rain in
the island, Marie's oils like. Virus-out, Tiger,
Immune Up and Mosquito out have helped the
children really well.
September 15: Update on the hurricanes -
"I had to borrow US$2,100 to pay for the
emergencies caused by the hurricanes and storms: water, food
and medicines as I opened the doors to a group of women living
in the shanties.
May I remind you that I am still paying the
interests for the $10,000 check that I cashed from a donor and
spent in March. But the check bounced and the bank wants its
money back!!.
The orphanage with the 54 children at
this point are all well and having three meals and two snacks
per day.
We are trying to do our best feeding the little
children. At night there are two women plus two of our
older
orphan girls that sleep with them for the nights.
Most of these children are between 2 and 6 years old with
few
babies. Milk is very needed most of the time. Pampers as well.
As far as our children in the middle school who are
on our Social Plan, they come half of the day and few gather
for breakfast and lunch. They all require our help every
single day as they are the poor and needy children of this
community, though we rescued children from different
provinces of the island who were roaming the streets
looking
for a safe place.
 The
kids two years and older are attending classes in the morning
and they really love to be involved in their Pre- School
for
the first time. I would like to invite all of our friends
to come and take a look at the major improvements
we
provide now for the benefit of these young souls. We are
calling upon all the supporters who in one way or another
have
been helping us in the past. Their love and
financial support show in every corner of the orphanage as we
invested those
donations in the education and health
of the children.
We ask and pray for continued support
for this wonderful cause. If it were not for you, our Angels,
many of this things wouldn't
be possible Marie. You
and they know who they are. The grace of our Divine God, will
re-pay them back with happiness,
peace
and health. Thank you again for being our "mouth"
and able us to improve lives of the little ones here in the
D.R.
Much blessings, Dominica"
September 6: Hurricane season started.
Please pray. Here is what Dominica just sent:
"Dear Marie, Thank you for thinking of us
just as first hurricane hit us. I need to get prepared with
enough food,
water and blankets, for my children and the
people from the Cry of La Urena who live in the shanties.
These are the group
that the major office told us to
protect and provide safety for. The public school gives
shelter to many people stranded and all the few strong
buildings need to open their doors and protect against
this hurricane.
I am planning to use your funds for the
emergencies caused during and after those hurricanes.
I am able to send this email with a
small battery that I still have in the computer. We lost all
the communications,
including uncharged inverters,
and cell-phones etc.. Electricity
usually gets back after a month. Many
things are out of
service for a month or more. If
you and your friends could first pray for the island,
it has a lot of possibilities and
God watches over us.
Pray with your circle of friends please. Thank you.
We
are getting everything prepared like taking down some of the
things that can get blown away (the winds have
been
horrendous and the shade and post flew away with the rain four
days ago). I am giving special attention
to few
of the kids that are in Athenas's room to spend two days in my
house. I will write to you, if I can charge
my
computer battery in some place. Thank You for your
timely support. Blessings, Dominica".
September
1, 2008: Another school year started
today with 250 children enrolled. One class less because of
lack of room so the 20
students go to a different school (8 are covered by the
Florida church and Junior = Peno goes to a private school
thanks to his new sponsor). There are 2 classrooms operating
with the orphans living there out of the dining room. (instead
of 4 last year). Dominica is thrilled because Allana
manifested an inverter for the orphanage side and Jean Dye's
friends took care of making patio covered in cement for
both the orphanage and the school side. Niko's picture,
this is why Dominica work so hard.
 Now
the biggest concern is paying for the 8 teachers and helpers
taking care of the little ones. The $2500/month she receives
from Jean Dye's friend is covering the food and emergencies,
but NOT the extra staff those children need 24/7. She told me
the 51 new orphans are now trained and well behaved.
July 22: Message from Connie for the Michigan
group
"We rode home
in 2 separate cars with my husband, Russ, driving one vehicle
and his friend Mike driving the other one. We talked their
ears off the entire 3 hour drive home. Thank you so much again
for your lovely hearts, your hospitality, your beautiful God
centered ministry and for sharing all of the lovely children
with us! I have been praying where God may like me to move and
get involved next. I will continue to pray for each of you,
the children, the staff and the community.
Please
continue to keep me informed of the immediate and ongoing
needs of the orphanage and I will continue to seek God's will
and where I may fit into the picture to assist you in your
ministry. I love you both! You are amazing women of God!
Dominica, continue to follow Christ with your
strong amazing faith! In Christ alone is our strength!"
July 15: 
"Marie,
Here are a few pictures of what is happening this week. A
Mission Team of seven from Michigan who found us through your
Web page, is sharing such delightful and cheerful moments
with all our children, who will keep in their memories for a
long time. The children love all these tender and bright
faces when they stare up and hold them in their arms. This
group remind me the history of Jesus Christ living here on
Earth. Every time when we receive these special beings here in
the orphanage, it gives us a lot of strength and hope to
continue God's work. They are talking about coming
twice a year and it just make us extremely blessed!
Thank
you dear Connie, (the leader) Mama Evie, Miss Josie, Dawn,
Lorrie, Eddie and Raquel.
With
the completion of the new dorm and life skill center, God
bless the two TRUE ANGELS Jeannie Dye and Allana Rose and
their contributors, as many children now have a REAL home,
where they are completely secure. Now I do not have to
worry about hurricanes or storms!! Please know that this
facility will be a safe haven for many orphans and
under-priviledged children, and for the future
generations who will benefit of good
values, respect, wisdom and being raised with
discipline in the love of Papa Dios.
Muchas bene diciones,
Dominica"
Celine just got married in Provence. Instead
of presents, she asked her friends to donate to Dominica. What
a fabulous idea. The total collected is 3,000 euros!!! Bravo.
I have friends here too who write a check for Dominica instead
of buying a presents for their friends. Lets spread this
habit.
Another group of 7
from Michigan just arrived for 10 days to help and teach the
children.
New beautiful dormitories opened June 26!
Dominica's
dream for 4 years to be able to rescue the children at risk
was accomplished. Thanks to the contribution of Allana and the
Blue House Effect from Canada who have been with Dominica for
10 years at least. They are coming in August and will have a
nice shock to see the happy faces sleeping in now. Dominica
has 5 people taking care of the 50+ children, Roxanne, 14, and
her sister are doing a fabulous job. She was raised by
Dominica. We need another washing machine and an inverter as
this side does not have electricity which is open lacking
still. Cost with batteries about $1500.
Click on photos and Dormitories to see lots of
pictures of the kids and their new surroundings. They are so
happy, as they feel secure for the first time in their lives.
http://www.4dshift.com/Orphanage06/08Dorm.html
or http://www.dominicaorphanage.com
And Multipurpose Room too
It
was a joint effort to support the groundwork which Allana and
the Blue House Effect began with the second floor project.
Donations from the newly organized Dominica Orphanage and
School, Inc., in Fort Myers, Florida, contributed
$30,000 toward the finishing of the orphanage dormitory and
multi-purpose room. Jean Dye indicated what a
pleasure it was to work together with the Blue House Effort to
accomplish the goals set out to house and feed these sixty
children who now have a bed in which to sleep. It is so
good that organizations can work together with a common goal
to support children and their needs.
June
28: The 5 children are home safely. I am heading there
so you will have photos. the 5 youngsters here had a ball.
They had red carpet everywhere they went. A big thank you to
the host families and Maurice who organized it all. The
families are now there for 9 days of teaching and sharing.  The
12 teachers and parents helped and taught. 2 teenagers had a
real hard time to readjust to their surroundings.
June
6: I went to the Signing Ceremony linking Dominica School and
Orphanage to James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro,
MD. I was very impressed by the amount of work involved to
make this happen. Paola Santos, 14 spoke for Dominica in
perfect English. The children were very much honored and
appreciated it immensely. See the pictures.
Here is the
talk I prepared about Dominica. We seem to forget how
unbelievable she is and the work she continues to do 24x7!
Above the 6 lucky one!
- "Orphan,
and 10 years old, Dominica started to teach other
kids.
As orphanage closed, kids went back to the street
and Dominica, invited by the Rotary Club studied 4 years at
Kean's University in PA to get her BA in bilingual Education.
The idea was, for me to learn and be
educated in the States in order to bring hope and give back
what I received, to all my brothers and sisters living in
another world. Years later, while working for the orphanage,
she also managed to work on her master in
Psychology in Santo Domingo. Maurice Kingle to right who
planned it all.
 -
In 1994, her brother asked for her help as he took in a dozen
orphans from the street. She immediately started a school
In
1995, I met Dominica and promised to help.
In 1999 My
family and friends bought the land., then built the walls
In
2000, we started the foundation of the school
In 2002, we
opened the 5 classroom school where now 325 children attend
In
2003, we opened the computer room Paola in green delivered
speech.
 In
2005 Dominica was invited by the vice president of her country
to find out HOW she produced the best students of the
island!!
In 2006, Dominica School was ranked as No 4 in her
school district, after 3 catholic schools (and plenty of
$$$)
In 2007, Dominica School and Orphanage was ranked No 1
over 400 schools in her district<<Lizardo & Delgado
to right, Emmanuel and with Peno/Jr. below.
 This
year, she received a big REWARD for good work as a private
school. The Minister of Education said: "We need 10 more
Dominica Rosario on the island!!"
In 2008
Allana built again dormitories. We now need 4 more classrooms
upstairs.
.MAY
29: Great news as 5 children are here in MD with teacher
Delgado for a month but Dominica's visa was not granted.
"The
Embassy considered that it was not necessary for me to attend
the signing ceremony. They already granted a visa
to our teacher who is already there, and did not consider it
an emergency and I should have applied the first time
around!
Sorry to miss your open house on June 7th and
meet all our loyal sponsors.
 Here
things are not well. As you know, there are many problems to
solve to function properly and allow the daily routine to keep
on going for the whole orphanage and school. As I always
say, it is so difficult to keep the program running without a
stable amount of funds coming every month. This is
an organization like everyone else and people do not realize
it. I have a staff of 19 and a large group of
children and adolescents who constantly have needs. I have to
deal with maintenance, food, and drinkable water costs, and
the foster families hosting so many of our children also
requests $$$ for food etc..
There
are many people and organizations that know us and
represent us in different places and it would be very helpful
if we
could count on them to help with contributions every
month. If they were like City of Joy or Blue
House Effect, we would
not
experience those difficult end of the month needs. We
were able to pay severance pay to 3 employees we had to let go
after
3 years of service, buy food for 2 months and pay
urgent bills thanks to Mr. George's friends. THANK YOU! kids
waiting for dormitories to open
I
will be sending you the cost per child and per month of each
lucky child going to the new dormitories. We should have
the $$$ to
cover these costs before they arrive in June or
July so we know we can take care of those little kids 24 hours
a day.
 Well,
this is enough for now and in the meantime, we keep
up working hard and dealing with all the responsibilities
until someday
soon we receive steady donations to help us
plan better. We pray and hope that more people hear about our
needs. Thanks Marie,
Dominica"
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