Saturday, March 1, 2014

Saturday, March 1, 2014


Today, Manuel drove us to Paradise, a Samaritan Foundation village, so that we could see the gardens that are being developed by the people with help from  agricultural experts.  Hermes, who lives in the village and works for the Samaritan Foundation gave us a tour.  We passed through a gate into what looked like a typical Canadian style garden plot with rows of corn, beans and a few other vegetables.  This was actually an experimental plot with the various plants undergoing different treatments to see what each would produce.  Nearby was a newly constructed chicken coop about 3 x 10 metres, which will provide some eggs for the village.  I later learned that smaller coops measuring 1 x 2 metres will be provided to houses that want to keep a few chickens in the yard.  Hermes then led us down a hill where we entered what seemed like a forest of banana trees.  This was also garden area, but used a more ecological approach, with layers of vegetation below the trees – pea shrubs, root vegetables, squash vines, etc.  It was designed in consultation with experts from the University of Guelph, which also did soil sampling and testing to determine the best crops to grow and to give direction to methods of treatment to improve fertility.  A couple who run a honey business has donated a bee colony and box and will educate others to look after it and to provide more boxes.  This will help to improve pollination of crops with a bonus of honey for sale.
An Experimental Plot of Corn
The Chicken Coop 
A Good Crop of Red Beans
Hermes Giving Us a Tour of the Gardens in Paradise
Layering of Crops in a Garden
We did a quick tour of the new office building of the Samaritan Foundation then drove to Loma de los Chivos (Goat Hill) to dedicate a house which was sponsored by St Luke's Lutheran Church in Kitchener, where 9 of our Journey team attend.  This house is for Victoria, an older lady who does good work in the village.  Her 2 daughters and their children live in the village also.  On Monday, only the footings were in place, but today the walls are up and the roof was on.  Our group sang a song and Pastor Jim prayed a dedication.  Victoria said a prayer of thanks to God and for our help in providing this house.  Bea and I explained the Canadian tradition of ‘house warming’ and handed over bags of blankets, towels, table cloth, etc. and some kitchen and bathroom items.  Victoria shed some tears of thanksgiving for her good fortune and hugged each of us.   
The Journey 2014 Team With Victoria and a Daughter

This Was Just a Foundation on Monday
This is the final day of our Journey in the Dominican, so we headed back to the resort for lunch and some beach time.  We head off to the airport at 5 for our 6:30 flight - leaving 30 above for 30 below. 

Friday, February 28, 2014


Vic, Chuck and I finished assembling the library carts in the morning.  The rest of the Journey team went first to Cangrejo for a walking tour and then to Esperanza to visit the women’s H.O.P.E. centre (Helping Other People Eat) where jewelry items are crafted for sale and shipment using recycled cardboard.  Many changes continue to be made in this village, which was built to replace a shanty town fashioned from tin, scrap wood and whatever is available. 

The 2 ½ Amigos rendezvoused with the others for lunch at the old fort located near the shipping port in Puerto Plata.  From the fort we could see a row of colourful houses in Agua Negra, an extremely impoverished area around the mouth of a river.  Phil explained that some of these houses were constructed by WestJet employees who travel here on working holidays, much as we do (see the WestJet Video).  Interested employees enter a lottery from which a number of names are drawn.  


View of the ‘WestJet’ Houses from Across the Bay
      After lunch we went to Agua Negra (recently renamed Nuevo Renacer, meaning new re-birth) where we met Sandra, a tireless advocate for the poor and a worker of miracles.  Since 2007, when I first met her, she has inspired numerous teams of workers (including Mike Holmes and the Ontario Homebuilders Association) and recruited many like-minded individuals to work alongside her to fulfill her dream of reducing poverty, improving the health and educating the people of Agua Negra.  The school she started in a derelict building which had a plastic tarp for a roof, has been substantially rebuilt, with a new steel roof, furnished classrooms, a computer room, an operating kitchen and offices.  There are 6 teachers.  Next to it is another building which houses a fledgling medical centre, a new sewing class and her small living quarters.  Sandra toured us through part of the village, all the while chattering away about all the changes taking place.  She would have kept us going through the whole town if we had not insisted that we had to continue with our itinerary.


Sandra Gives Each of Us a Hug

New Roof on the Church/School

New Desks in the Classrooms

Sewing Class for Women in a New Building

Sandra’s Mother is the Cook for the School



We finished up the day by riding a cable car to the highest point on the coast, Mount Isabella, with its giant statue of Jesus, modeled after the famed Rio prototype.  We spent about an hour hiking on the maze of pathways through the tropical forest before descending and heading back to the resort.  The bus stopped at a grocery store so we could shop for coffee, vanilla, spices, etc. 

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014


Today the 2 ½ Amigos returned to Phil & Donna’s to continue work on the library carts.  The other men came with us to build shelves for the new Pregnancy Resource Centre which is not in Nazareth anymore.  A new location became available, which is much bigger and will actually be more functional.  The first year of rent has been paid by a donation.  The new shelves were finished shortly after lunch and were transported and installed in the afternoon.  The ladies, meanwhile, had spent the morning cleaning and painting the new facility in preparation for the shelves.  Supplies from Nazareth, and more which we had brought, were put onto the new shelves.  It was another long, hot but very productive day.
Nancy Feeling Blue
Margaret and Marlene Stocking the Shelves
(Looks like Margaret leaned on some wet paint.)
Cathie Lining Up the Meds and Food

New Furniture Arrives
Bea Takes a Break to Amuse Darius




The Library Carts Being Assembled

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014


Left at 8 a.m. for Cangrejo School where each child in a class of Grades 4, 5, 6 students gave a short speech on the history and culture of the DR.  They celebrate ‘Independence Day’ tomorrow.  They spoke about important political people, events and dates, industry, food, sports and entertainment.  They all did very well and were translated by one of our team helpers.  We then did a quick tour to see what changes have taken place since last year.  The library has new storage cupboards and a barrier wall was added to improve the use of the space.  The playground is looking well cared for and has new steel posts for mounting a volley ball net.

The Grade 4, 5, 6 Class in Cangrejo School
The Library Study and Storage Area

Back on the bus at 11:20, we headed for Ascension village to help out with the feeding program run by Bill & Donna.  Actually that is not quite true anymore.  Donna told us that while she and Bill were back in Canada for a month recently, the program workers in Ascension ran all of the activities for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday programs.  It is the goal and hope of Bill & Donna that eventually they can ‘step back’ from the feeding program so that they can concentrate on other aspects of changing Ascension into an economically viable community.

New Permanent Market Stalls in Ascension Village

The Journey Team noticed that fewer children were fed today than in previous years.  Donna gave us 2 reasons.  Firstly, through sponsorship donations they were able to buy uniforms and school books for about 300 students.  About 75% were already attending school but needed new uniforms, but 25% were first time students and were therefore at school rather than the feeding program.  They would get some food at school.  Secondly, a few more people had found work and were able to feed their family.  About 225 children and ‘seniors’ had soup today – chicken and noodles were added to it for variety. 

Donna described to us how their plan had been laid out and how it was unfolding. The ‘feeding’ ministry occurs on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.  Monday is oatmeal for moms & tots and kids up to age 7, plus some seniors.  It is also ‘chat day’ where moms can bring questions and concerns they may have.  Donna will set up a visit to their house, if warranted, to assess a baby or to address health concerns.  Wednesday is ‘soup day’, which has always been the day we visit to help out.  Friday is another ‘soup day’.  This Friday will see another 50 kids due to the ‘Independence Day’ holidays on Thursday & Friday.  Donna also runs a ‘baby program’ with pregnant women and moms & babies.  Each baby is checked for health and nutrition concerns.  Moms may get formula, vitamins, etc. and are given prenatal and postnatal education.  The average weight and the growth rate of babies have increased greatly during their 6 years working in the program.  Infant mortality is almost zero.
The long term goal of Bill & Donna is to create a self-run sustainable community which is economically viable.  They realize that it may take a long time to achieve but they have hope that it is possible.  They have implemented educational programs to begin the process.  First, teach self-worth.  Second, teach them to respect others (e.g. children to respect elders).  Third, give them back some independence.  For example, some families in the village have been receiving weekly food allotments.  Bill worked to educate them in responsibility and budgeting and now gives them the money to buy their own food.  This adds to their self-worth and also contributes to the local economy since the people buy the rice, beans and so forth from other villagers.  They can also vary their diets by buying fresh fruits and vegetables from itinerant venders who come to the village.  Much of the money now circulates in the local economy.
About 8 months ago, a shop was opened in Ascension to sell used clothing.  It is managed locally and the profit goes to support the feeding program.  The cook, Clarabelle, manages the shop.  This is another link in the development of a local economy. 


Meghan & Clarabelle in the Used Clothing Store
Note:  All the programs run by Bill & Donna have volunteers who help out.  Many of them are young people who have come through the programs themselves and are now giving back.
Note 2:  Meghan, who also does mission work in Ascension, has taken on the task of helping to get birth certificates, visas, passports or whatever else a young person might need to get work.  This is a particularly difficult but important task, since Ascension is mostly Haitians.  Haitians are second class citizens at best in the DR. 
Other notable changes in Ascension are:  new playground climbing equipment constructed of wood, permanent market stalls for the local venders to display their wares, and improvements made to the co-op store which sells local crafts and sewing goods.  The ‘row of shops’ which I helped construct back in 2007 continues to provide workspace for local trades people. 


New Playground Equipment in Ascension Village
The general health of the community appears to be improving, especially among the children.  Like Bill & Donna, I have hope that Ascension will continue to improve as a community and will someday no longer need outside help to survive.
The Journey team returned to our lodgings in Sosua for a late lunch and some rest.  Many of us took a short walk to the Jewish Museum, which tells the story of 600 Jews who came to the DR during WWII and established a farming community, including a dairy which continues to operate today. 



Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

It was another beautiful warm, sunny morning.  I gave the ‘Inspirational Talk’ this morning.  I talked about the importance of relationships and community.  I read a ‘Letter to the Editor” from the Toronto Star from 2007 in which a High School student, a Muslim girl, was asked to do volunteer work at a community hall, which turned out to be in an Italian Catholic church.  While she does not celebrate Christmas she was asked to help children make ornaments and simple gifts at different centres.  During the morning, an elderly lady came up and hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks, all the while rambling on in Italian.  The girl had no idea what was said, but knew it was a heartfelt and unique experience.  The girl later learned that the lady was telling her, “ It doesn’t matter that I don’t know you or where you are from, we are all alike in some ways”.   The girl who wrote the letter said that it gave her a new attitude towards others, and a hope for the future.
Our work here in the DR it is no different, we are always helping others whom we do not know and who don’t know us, but by working side by side we are equals and while we speak different languages we feel connected by the fact of our humanity.  It is one of the things that keeps me coming back year after year to do what little I can to make another person’s journey through life a little easier.  It is about giving hope. 
Today our team visited the senior’s residence in Puerto Plata that we visited last year.  We entertained them with singing and presented them with simple gifts.  The ladies were treated to manicures and the men to baseball caps.  Some residents were given hair trims by one of our team members, who is a hairdresser by profession.   A few of us played dominoes with the men.  Gift bags were left with the nuns who run the residence, to be distributed as needed.  Fabrics and sewing items were also donated.  We then spent the remainder of the day painting all of the walls surrounding the courtyard and hallways of the facility.  The nuns were overwhelmed with our generosity and thanked us over and over. 




The Seniors Were Waiting
Sister Explaining What to Do




Tom & Pauline Paint the Railing

Nahlah Cutting a Resident’s Hair






Jim Paints the Top

Bea Paints the Bottom

Chuck Paints in Between



Note:  During last year’s visit were learned that the nuns needed a new sewing machine, which has now been purchased.  We didn’t get to see it because a woodworker has taken it to his shop in order to build a more substantial work table for it.  The nun’s old sewing machine has also been sent off to be repaired.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

We had a very productive day.   The 2 ½ Amigos (Vic, Chuck and John) went with Phil to the hardware store and picked up wood then went to Phil & Donna’s house where we spent the day cutting out about 50 pieces from 3 sheets of plywood.  We will assemble 2 portable library carts for the school in Sosua Abajo.  Our return for a few hours on Wednesday and again on Thursday will hopefully allow us to complete them.  
Chuck, Vic and John (taking picture)
Cutting Pieces for the Library Carts
For lunch, the resort supplied us with roasted chicken and potatoes, which was a pleasant change from years of ham & cheese sandwiches, alternating with cheese & ham sandwiches.  Phil & Donna sat with us for lunch and filled us in on the general operations and philosophy of Servant’s Heart Ministries.  We also were taught the ins and outs of working to help people without making them dependent or expecting handouts.  It is a delicate balance which requires experience to understand what works and what doesn’t.
The remaining 12 team members went to the school at Sosua Abajo and broke into 2 groups.  One group did crafting and games with the children while the other group painted.  The painters kept Dario and Chris busy running for more paint every couple of hours.  Journey teams are noted for their ability to exceed expectations – as they learned today. 

The Church and School at Sosua Abajo


Sunday, February 23, 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014


Yesterday, our group of 15 arrived at the airport on a school bus from Kitchener.  Bea & I met the bus at the 401 Park & Ride.  The check-in went smoothly except that 4 hockey bags of supplies (of 30) nearly went to the DR via Winnipeg.   Luckily the attendant noticed the anomaly and corrected it.
Journey 2014 Team Members
at Pearson Airport in Toronto

We were wearing our Journey 2014 T-shirts In the waiting area and became the focus of many inquiries about our work.  A group of 6 from Sault St Marie was heading to the DR to work in a village about an hour and a half from Puerto Plata.  I spent a long time chatting with Dominic, a contractor from Montreal, who travels frequently to the DR to work independently with poor people in a village.

Marlene, Margaret, Marliese & Uli 
Our flight, which left 20 minutes late, was a bit bumpy in spots but was otherwise great.  A fellow in the seat behind us on the plane was another humanitarian who has paid for and helped build a house and is coming down to start his second.  Bea was talking with one of the flight attendants who said that she knows several WestJet employees who also do volunteer work in the DR.  

Phil Williams of Servant’s Heart Ministries
Securing the 30 Hockey Bags to his Truck
 This morning (Sunday) we went to a church service at Templo Bibilico, where we were enthusiastically welcomed.   They remembered many of us from our work there the last 2 years.  We were all introduced by name and later in the service we sang a couple of songs for them.  We were treated to juice and snacks afterwards.

The Team is Treated to Juice and Cookies 
In the afternoon we drove to Loma de Los Chivos (Goat Hill) to visit Maria and her family, for whom we sponsored and helped to build a house last year.  She and her family were thrilled to see us.  Maria gave us a tour to show all that she has done to make a home for herself and her children.  The children all looked so healthy compared to last year. 
Maria Gives the Team a Tour of Her Home
We then visited Victoria, for whom we are sponsoring a house this year.   Her old house, all but the kitchen, has been torn down and the new foundation is poured.  We will return on Saturday for the dedication, when the walls and roof should be up!




Victoria is standing beside the remains of her former house.  The foundation for her new house has been poured.  She is living in the tin shack, which is actually her kitchen.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Journey 2014 - Wednesday, February 19, 2014


Yesterday (Tuesday) I drove to Cambridge in snowy conditions and met Vic, our treasurer, to drop off some more money from our fundraising and to pick up 2 empty hockey bags for the rest of the soccer equipment, soap, lap blankets, baby caps, carpentry materials, etc. that was still piled on the floor in our dining room.  Most of it is now packed and the remainder may have to wait until a ‘sea container’ goes down in the spring.  We put bars of soap into the soccer shoes to get more into the hockey bags.  The 105 baby caps that we packed today were all knit by our friend Auntie Audrey.  
I have now finished drawing the plans for the library carts that some of us will be building for the school in Sosua Abejo where we have done painting and crafting the past 2 years.  I modified a cart sold by Louise Kool & Galt here in Ontario.  We will be building 2 mobile carts, one for each floor of the school.  


Cabinet by Louise Kool & Galt 



Auntie Audrey displaying her 105 Caps for Servant’s Heart Ministries' new Pregnancy Resource Center in Nazareth

John Drawing Plans for the Mobile Library Cabinets

Bea putting bar of soap into soccer shoe - serves 2 purposes!



Sunday, February 16, 2014

Journey 2014 - Sunday, February 16, 2014


Since ‘packing day’ last Sunday, Bea and I have been busy organizing and packing donations that continue to pour in.  Anita, of ‘Chance to Play’, dropped off 4 sets of soccer uniforms, including cleats, plus 2 boxes containing 40 new soccer balls.  Another friend, Sarah Fernandes, who is involved in mission work in the Philippines, dropped off a couple of boxes of soap, shampoo and other toiletries, most of which will go to a senior’s home in Puerto Plata and the ‘Pregnancy Resource Center’, run by Phil and Donna of ‘Servant’s Heart Ministries’, in Nazareth.  Bea has also been crocheting ‘lap blankets’ for the residents of the seniors home and also found some bargains at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in town.  Bea and I have continued to  fundraise by putting on a Chili and Games Night and another soup lunch following church service. 


Donation Basket for Fundraising Activities

Norval Presbyterian church sponsors Alex and Andy, students in Paradise and Nazareth schools.




Chilis to suit various tastes were provided at the Saturday games night.





Monday, February 10, 2014

Journey 2014 - Sunday, February 9, 2014




Our Journey 2014 Shirt
 Our Journey 2014 group spent several hours in the afternoon organizing and packing supplies that we have been collecting to go to the Dominican Republic.  Each of the 15 team members will carry 2 hockey bags weighing up to 50 pounds apiece.  We are travelling with WestJet which allows double the amount of stowed luggage for humanitarian travel groups.  Team members are asked to limit their personal travel requirements to ‘carry on’, which isn’t that hard when traveling to a hot climate, in order to maximize the amount of supplies we can carry.  Any hockey bags which were not used today will be filled with dried soup mix from Ontario Christian Gleaners based in Cambridge, Ontario.  Bea and I will also be carrying 4 team sets of soccer uniforms, including boots, compliments of Anita Bergsma and the Georgetown Soccer Club.  Anita founded an organization called ‘Chance to Play’ in 2011 and soccer equipment has been sent to several countries.
Team members pay for their own plane ticket and accommodation, so that 100% of the money that is raised will go directly to the projects in the Dominican Republic.  At last count, the group had raised over $16,000.


Adult Medications for a Clinic in the village of Liberation

Baby Food / Formula for children’s programs in the villages of Ascension and Nazareth.
Baby Supplies for the new Pregnancy Resource Centre in the village of  Nazareth
Some of the baby hats knit by the ladies of Norval Presbyterian Church
Jeans for Ascension and Socks for residents of a Senior’s Facility, run by the ’The Sisters of Charity' in Puerto Plata
Baby dresses knit by Edythe of Georgetown, Ontario


We will be working with Servant’s Heart Ministries, a charitable organization founded by Canadian couple, Phil and Donna Williams.  It is based in their hometown of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.  The base for the organization’s fieldwork is in the Dominican Republic is in the town of Sosua where Phil and Donna now live, just east of Puerto Plata.

Cathy reviews our itinerary / projects we hope to be doing.