We got to sleep in this morning. The bus left at 9. We spent the morning at 'Hogar de Ancianos', a seniors residence in Puerto Plata run by the 'Sisters of Charity'. The residence was built by the Brugal Rum company for destitute seniors who had no family to care for them. Our visit began in the 'recreation room' where most of the 48 residents had gathered. Bill 'piped' us in and we circled the room, introduced ourselves and shook hands with the seniors. Many hugged us back. We then sang several songs, accompanied by Bill, while people clapped their hands and swayed to the rhythm of the music. The ladies had their hands rubbed with lotion and their nails were painted, much to their delight. The men were each given a tie, and every resident received a gift bag containing toiletries. Each lady also received a neck scarf, compliments of Bea and her sister-in-law Diane, who knit them in the evenings at home while watching TV. Some of our team played 'Dominoes' with the men, who mostly beat us.

'Mother Theresa of the DR' Dances for the Seniors

All Decked Out and Nowhere to Go

Clapping to the Music



Tom Challenges the Local Boys at Dominoes

While I was circulating around among the men I spied one that I recognized from previous years in Ascension Village. I first met him in 2007 when Helen Hope and I painted the front of the 'Co-op Store' in Ascension where he was the, probably self appointed, 'watchman'. I had met with him in each of the last 3 years and took a few photos. I looked for him again when we were in Ascension on Tuesday and couldn't find him, so I assumed he had died. His name is Alphonso and he is completely blind. I spoke with him through our translator and he remembered who I was. It was an amazing moment to meet him here and know that he was getting compassionate care.



John Visiting Alphonso from Ascension Village

We were given a tour of the facilities, which are spartan by our standards but very spacious, clean, colourful and more than these people could have even dreamed possible in their circumstances.
 

We ate our lunch on the landscaped grounds in front of the building and donated the remaining sandwiches, rolls and bananas to the nuns. Tim said, “You'd have thought it was the only thing we gave them today, they were so thankful”. We had earlier presented a couple of hockey bags full of blankets, quilts, cloth bags, toiletries, hair clippers, etc.

The Dormitory

The Cafeteria

Following lunch the team left for Lomas de Loschivos, which I learned means 'Goat Hill', a possibly facetious reference to the steepness of the terrain. This is the village where Maria and her 4 children live. We were here earlier in the week to view the construction of her new house. Our crew got busy and sanded the stucco surface then applied the primer coat of paint. Ninos and ninas from surrounding homes gathered to watch and get in the way. LOL When the 'Skim Ice' man arrived, Phil pulled out a wad of pesos and treated us and the kids to these 'DR freezies'. I believe we made the vendor's day!!

The Ladies are Not to be Outdone



Sanding a Wall in the New House

 Manuel caused a bit of a stir by informing us that his bus lost it's oil.  A line had failed.  He was able to locate a mechanic and get what he needed.  Tim 'passed the hat' to collect 3000 pesos (about $90).  The bus was back in order by the time we were ready to leave for the resort.

The 'Skim Ice' Man Cleans Up

 I spent some time talking with Maria and asked her how she felt about getting a new home.  She replied that she was 'blessed' by our generosity and had been praying for 10 years that she might some day be able to fix up her house. I then asked her how the neighbours felt; were they jealous? She said they were happy for her. Maybe some could be jealous, she didn't know. She has been cooking using scrap wood because she can't afford propane. She has a stove and a 30 Liter tank. How much does it cost to fill it up? I don't know. The interpreter said about 700 pesos ($17). How long would a full tank last? I don't know, I've never had enough money to fill it right up. The interpreter said about a month.

 
I then spoke with the next door neighbour who had been watching our crew work. He said we were the first 'mission team' to visit his village. He then recited about a 5 minute long prayer, which translated to, “He was saying thank you for all your goodness and generosity. He asked a blessing on all of you... so that you may continue to be prosperous and come back and help more people”. He lives in a shack next door but is a self employed 'metal recycler' and is apparently 'happy in his misery'.