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I just got back from Dominica School in the Dominican Republic, which Dominica, an orphan herself, started with her brother Alexis 12 years ago. I have helped them off and on for the past 8 years (see previous stories and photos). I planned my vacation around a visit to the school. I stayed at a hotel on the beach, and the children took turns staying with me. It is very fulfilling as they give me SO MUCH love and joy.

This year I raised, effortlessly, $7,500! (see my thank you note to our sponsors) This will enable us to open the first 2 classrooms. The classrooms will hold 30 children each in the morning and the afternoon. We hope to start evening classes for neglected teenagers and provide them with job skills such as computer training, carpentry, plumbing etc.

I am ecstatic because I found out that Dominica can make up to $500 a month per class if she manages her budget well. She can then go to the bank and borrow money to build the other 6 classrooms. This is quite a switch, from relying totally on donations to feed the orphans, to becoming an entrepreneur. And she is quite capable having a master in psychology.

With the $6,200 put aside for the new DOMINICA SCHOOL, we finished the roof with cement, so we can build another floor soon. They are now installing the 5 windows and 2 doors and cementing the floors. We still need 2 bathrooms (septic tank and plumbing are in place), a strong gate, cement for a playground and to finish the walls of the property (about 800 blocks).

The first two classes should open on February 1st.

There will be no problem filling up those classes as Dominica has earned a strong reputation for herself as a teacher. She has taught in La Urena for the past 12 years, and is such a great teacher that parents are more than willing to pay tuition (400 pesos/ 25 dollars per month). She teaches the first grade, which is the crucial year for a child, and she also teaches English. The latest success: Meliss, a 13 year old who came to Dominica last year illiterate. She now reads, is likely to skip a year, is part of the singing group and wants to become a singer.

Dominica will also be able to teach 2 afternoon classes for junior high school students. This is especially important, because the school itself does not allow Dominica to teach beyond 4th grade. Before this, these young teens, often orphans, abandoned, or abused kids, had to leave and somewhere else to stay.

We are all excited about the bright future. A Spanish friend of mine, Patrizia, came to help Dominica in September and is thinking of staying another year, even though the conditions are rough (current water and electricity only part of the day). Patrizia has accounting experience (she helped set up ONG) and this is very valuable to Dominica as she can help with budgeting and other accounting needs.

We still need to find funds for the other 6 class rooms, an office, a library (required by Dominican law), and maybe a decent apartment above for Dominica and her children, or guests/volunteers who visit.

Now for the FUN PART. I came loaded with 140 lbs of toys, towels, clothes, vitamins. Janean contributed $300 worth of Cell Tech products (1900 pills) to help the weak ones get better and stronger ones stay well. Lorrie supplied 22 dolls and presents for the girls and Paulena the same for the 26 boys. What a treat that was.

We also had chicken, sandwiches, Coca Cola, Ice cream, and filled up the shelves. I gave some massages and took tons of photos of the children. As you can see and they love that; my digital allows them to see their picture immediately. What a great invention!

I invited them all to spend a day at the beach and they LOVED it. Twenty-five were around and came and had fruit plates and ice creams and sodas, plus an hour-long ride on a boat, and a fun pinata, those giant dolls filled with presents and sweets which the kids beat up until they get a present to fall!

The IMPROVEMENTS at Dominica School since last year:

1) New wooden beds for the kids thanks to Christ of Corner Stone Church in Florida. The old ones in iron were quite dangerous. The Cathedral of Hope Church in Texas is considering buying the property for the children ($60,000) and, once the classes all move to the new school, setting up more dormitories to accept more kids. Food

2) Better food: Dominica has a friend who now works for the government and he was able to obtain free rice, spaghetti, and some beef every month. Thank you Francisco (he has a school of his own also, see my previous stories). The children eat much better now.

3) Thank God for the managers of FIAT FRANCE who came back in March to Punta Cana with a group of 280 people who brought things for the kids, A NEW COMPUTER AND a $10,000 check! It was just in time to help pay for the construction (septic tank, a water tank etc.). Bless you Patrick
and Co.

    4) Dominica's brother Alexis died in November after a three year illness. His presence is
greatly missed. Dominica spent a great deal of time caring for him, and she has filled this
empty space by spending more time with the children.

    5) Dominica still works way too much: 15/16 hours a day, 7 days a week. She does not know what
the word vacation means! Bless her.

    6) The twins Patricia and Taina, nearly 4, are in much better health, though their legs are
mighty small. There is still a lack of water. The children are always thirsty.

    Other good news: I have to find out how to get Federal Express to ship toys and clothes (and
computers for our class) to Dominica at a reduced rate. The Florida church was able to send
presents to the kids for Three Kings Day, on January 6th, as children throughout Latin America
and Spain awaken to gifts and presents from the Three Kings. Most years the children do not get
anything, but not this year thanks to your generosity.

    So keep sending prayers (and donations if you feel moved to do so) as there are always new kids
in need: her latest addition is a girl whose father is in prison for 5 years for having killed
her mother).

Please send it to "City of Joy Aid Inc." 7419 Lisle Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22043. It is tax
deductible. Or send us an email: Kalumet@4Dshift.com or to Dominica@tricom.net. Her phone No
is 1 (809) 335-6302 , but it is still hard to reach her. Best times are afternoon or evenings.

Dominica and the children thank you from the bottom of their little hearts and say in unison a
heartfelt "Gracias"