Do you remember the family of 10 beautiful dominican kids? I visit them on occasion to see how they are. Before I went to Boston I found a sponsor to buy school uniforms and shoes for all the kids. They could not go to school. When I meet tourists I sometimes take them to this community to see the poorest of the poor. Their house is leaning and being held up on one end by tree poles. The other side is being drawn up with wire. With the heavy rains and wind the family must go to her sister's house for shelter. The house is ready to fall over. The brother-in-law is helping when he can. He has constructed a foundation outside the little wooden house. Eight years ago there was a fire in this community of homesteaders and burned out several families. The government gave some of the people little lots. I have been trying to get donations to help the family constructed a brick house. The brother in law wants to finish the bedrooms so the family can move into them and tear down the wood construction. They have 3 beds for 11 people. The boys and girls have to sleep together. Two women from Minnesota donated $450 in total. Monday I will order the cinder block.
The Episcipal Church is building a private school since the current school is too small. I asked Father Larry if the church would be able to donate money to help with the construction of the house. He said he will let me know but I have not heard from him yet. The family is not a member of the church.
Last week a medical mission team came from an Episcopal Church from the midwest/east. Not sure if it is out of Indiana or Pennsylvania but doctors and nurses came from both states as well as one father and two reverends. I helped them translate, among other translators. I helped them two and three years ago as well. It is always a great experience and a lot of hard work and long days. I have been following up with medical cases, buying medicine with money that Father Larry gave me for them. Two twin babies 7 months old that live in the countryside need open heart surgery. Monday I take them and mother to Santo Domingo for ultrasouind and echocardiograms. My contact Dr. said she has a team of pediatric cardiologists here now and another group comes in March. She wants to see the urgency of their problem and get them on the schedule for March, if necessary. I forgot to tell him that they are only 7 months old. They may be too small for surgery. However, the hospital in Santiago made contact with the family and said they could come there for the surgery at a cost of $20,000 each child. So .. . yesterday I called Dr. Toribio and she said to bring them Monday or Tuesday. I will take Antonia for her 2 year checkup as well. She is getting so big, 11 now and very intelligent in school.
|