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Dominican Republic Project:
COLORS has been very busy creating and implementing various project
plans providing children in need with basic education, ESL classes,
art activities and day trips. Orphanages housing these children
have received medical and educational supplies, plus clothes and
basic household goods needed to run their homes. Funds were secured
for a water supply and lice treatment project which was very successful
thanks to our supporters. A teacher was also hired for elementary
classes along with the initiation of a fruit program which has been
a wonderful addition bringing education and nutrition together to
improve the daily lives of the children.
EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS: We are seriously looking into the possibility
of hiring a school teacher for the young children (who currently
have no access to education). Meetings, budgets and contracts are
in the works to try and make this a reality really soon.
Thanks again everyone for making all this
happen so fast. |
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Recipient of scholastic & medical
supplies plus care packages for each child -Daily ESL classes &
day trips for the children (park, aquarium, beach, feeding animals,
kayaking) -Special dinners and event days for all children of the
home (pizza, spaghetti, cake, crafts & party day's) -COLORS
received a much needed donation to treat the children for ringworm,
fungi and parasites -Funds were secured to provide orphanage with
a year's supply of purified water & assistance with the wages
for home schooling teachers.
Villa Bendicion Orphanage COLORS volunteers
conducted a weekly sports program for the teenage girls. On completion
of the COLORS work term, UK youth volunteers have now taken on
responsibility of COLORS sport equipment and weekly sports program.
Nagua Orfanato Recipient of scholastic and medical
supplies plus funds for additional provisions. Daily ESL classes,
day trips and activities for the children (beach, treats, crafts,
bead works, games...) Classroom set up & care packages for
each child.
Support was also allocated to assist with the relocation of the
overall orphanage to a safer, healthier & more suitable building
with running water and a yard. International Street Dog Project:
In an effort to help the street dogs of the D.R.., COLORS was
fortunate enough to receive a marvelous donation of anti-parasite
medication for the dogs.
During this time we also took in a young street dog we called
Momo. Momo was found on the side of a highway
with no fur, malnourished and unable to walk. We are now proud
to report that after being medicated and cared for, Momo can walk
on all fours and has fur all over. Over 50 dogs were medicated
and fed -Momo was found a home with Tsidkenu Orfanato and sponsored
by COLORS. Over 50 dogs were medicated and fed -Momo was found
a home with Tsidkenu Orfanato and sponsored by COLORS
A big THANK YOU
goes to our volunteer staff Caroline Swan & Matthew Whalen:
Volunteered their services to COLORS assisting children in need,
sports programs, day trips, photography, recruiting donations
and computer work. Angie Barron: Web design, editing and donation
recruiter. Lesley Choyce & Allyson Chisholm: Organized donations
for overseas distribution, assisted with office administration
& updated the public on COLORS activities.
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Cindy, now 8 years
old, spent the better part of her life living in a Santo Domingo
park with her mother, a 28 year old prostitute. All Cindy ever wanted
was a home. Somewhere to feel safe, secure and loved. Fortunately,
through the work of Ministerios TSIDKENU, run by Jackie and Hernando
Franco, this was made possible. One day Jackie found Cindy and her
mother in a city park. Jackie frequently counseled Cindy's mom and
Jackie expressed her concern for the daughter's safety. After months
of encounters with Cindy and her mom, Cindy finally came to live
in Ministerios TSIDKENU. She currently lives there with many other
children from similar backgrounds of poverty, abuse and neglect.
She is happy, healthy, and making great improvements scholastically.
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Israel, Estefani and Clara
are brothers and sisters who have Oestro Genesis Imperfectsto. This
means their bones break very easily. Their mom is poor and can not
afford the proper treatment for her children nor nutrition to keep
them alive. All three children can not walk and are confined to
a wheelchair due to multiple fractures and breaks. Many people in
the community tease these children and prevented them from going
to school. Luckily, Israel, Estefani and Clara were lucky enough
to be given a new home. They are now home schooled with all the
other children of Ministerios TSIDKENU. They love to learn and are
excited to participate in the many activities and day trips organized
by volunteers. It is truly amazing to see the difference in these
kids since they arrived in the care of Jackie and Hernando.
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Jackie’s
Children’s Home in the Dominican Republic Jackie
and her husband Hernando run a private children’s home in
Santa Domingo. They have over 40 children, a few of which have
physical disabilities which require wheel chairs. Currently, six
of the children are infants. The children’s home is in a
typical cement Dominican house, with a small yard.
Recently they have encountered a crisis, because the water supply
to the home has developed into a trickle, and it will require
several weeks or longer before the problem is fixed.
To make matters worse, the children have had an infestation of
head lice. They must purchase truck loads of water for $60 dollars
a week, plus the $40 a month they normally have to pay for clean
drinking water. And the shampoo to get rid of the lice is very
expensive. To try and combat the lice, many of the children have
had to get their hair cut very short, which was traumatic for
Claudia and Maria Lisa, who had lovely long hair. Jackie tries
very hard to make the girls still feel pretty by constantly telling
them how beautiful they are.
This home relies on donations from churches, NGO’s and
individuals to operate. They are always short of funds due to
many incoming children, but they do the best they can with what
they’ve got. Project COLORS has pledged to buy the necessary
water and shampoo. Its founder, Sunyata Choyce is back in Santa
Domingo working on a women’s project for the UN. She volunteered
at the children’s home two years ago, for several months.
She knows how dedicated Jackie and Hernando are, and how great
the need is for these children.
In the Dominican Republic children need a birth certificate,
and they must be in good physical condition, to go to school.
School fees are really high for such a poor country. Many of the
children at the home are therefore unable to get an education.
Sunyata has found a Canadian woman, Charlene, who will teach the
children daily. Since Charlene is a single mom living D.R, she
cannot afford to do it for free, but really wants to help the
children. Therefore steady funds are being collected to help with
a monthly stipend for this essential work.
COLORS believes that education is extremely important.
Without education, there is little hope for these children to
live happy lives.
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