Saturday, January 31, 2015

Today was packing day for the Journey 2015 team, at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener.  All but one of 25 members were there, including 3 Helens.  Also, a couple from Pennsylvania will be joining up with us in the DR.  Several rooms had tables set up with labels for the various categories of supplies: school, adult medications, child/infant medications, needlework, sports, etc.  As each person arrived, they were assigned an area and began unpacking and sorting all the contributions.  All cardboard packaging was removed to lighten the supplies.  We then had a short lunch break accompanied by instructions from our trip organizers Tim and Cath followed by ‘choir practice’, compliments of Uli and Donna - we will be singing 2 songs (containing some Spanish parts) at a church service the day after our arrival in the DR.  We then divided into the different rooms and began packing hockey bags, trying to bring the weight up to just under 50 pounds. The owner, contents and weight of each bag were recorded in order to expedite check-in at the airport and distribution of goods in the DR.

Cath briefing the Journey 2015 Team

The 3 Helens - Young, Younger & Youngest

Some Supplies for the Pregnancy Clinic

Harry & Chuck Sorting Medical Clinic Supplies

Donna & Marlene Sort Personal Hygiene Items

100 Bottles of Vitamins from Jamieson's

Youngest Helen Weighs a Bag

One of Our 2 Songs

Some of the team members prepared materials for two crafting activities: ‘arm knitting’ scarves and making tambourines.  These activities will be done with girls at an orphanage and kids at a school, respectively.

Marliese, Sarah-Jean, Donna, Margaret & Pauline ‘Crafting'

Some of our 50 Hockey Bags

Three weeks from today we will arrive in the DR where a new adventure awaits us.  Our itinerary will include both work and relaxation and of course - lots of warmth!!  

Vic, our ‘Number Cruncher’ gets a little Divine Guidance

Friday, January 30, 2015

This year (2015) is the 10th Anniversary of ‘Dominican Journeys’.  Since 2006, the group has grown and split twice, kind of like an Amoeba.  All 3 groups continue to travel to the DR at various times in February and March and we occasionally bump into each other during our work travels.  It is hard to know exactly how much money and supplies have been raised during the 10 years, but it is likely in the neighbourhood of $400,000 and over 10 tons of supplies for schools, medical clinics, children’s programs, a senior’s centre, new houses and so forth.  We have funded the building of many houses, a mission house, a row of shops, and contributed to many other projects.  Our teams have spread 100’s of gallons of paint, dug in the dirt, carried cement, bent rebar, bought and delivered food to remote villages, visited seniors and hospital patients, built shelves, taught crocheting and knitting, and took part in numerous other activities.  This year will be my 8th Journey and Bea’s 5th Journey.

In preparation for this year’s trip, Bea and I have been busy fundraising and accumulating supplies.  We have been having ‘Soup Lunches’ after church on many Sundays, which raise about $70 each.  We have also established a group of friends and relatives who contribute money each year.  Dozens of people provide supplies to go with us, including Anita Bergsma who provides soccer uniforms and balls through her organization 'Chance to Play’ https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/evoNb .  Another friend, Sarah Fernandes, has connected us with people who have donated items such as personal care products and medical supplies.  Another friend has donated equipment and supplies for diabetics.  Two ladies, Edythe King and Audrey Douglas have knit hundreds of items over the last few years, including those in the pictures below.

Dresses Knit by Edythe King

Some Contributions

Enjoying a Soup Lunch

Hats Knit by Audrey Douglas

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

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

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

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.