We traveled with 2 other couples - the whole gang, relaxing for supper!**************
So, before Chris and I decided to book the trip, we agreed that if we went south we would take the opportunity to visit local villages, families, children and schools. We wanted to see first hand how we could help once we came back to Canada. I truly believe we can use EVERY opportunity to reach out to others.
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Before we traveled, I had made contacts with a couple of organizations and individuals who work specifically with children in the Punta Cana area. I was able to connect with a man, originially from Toronto, who is living and working in Dominican. He calls himself "Punta Cana Mike". He has been instrumental in building a school for chidlren to attend for free. In Dominican, children have to pay a monthly fee to attend school and they also need to purchase a uniform. MANY cannot afford this so they miss out on school. So, a school was created from an old concrete building specifically to educate the children who could not afford public school. The teachers are all VOLUNTEERS and the school has grown from 35 students to over 150 in the past year!
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Chris and I (along with the other 2 couples we traveled with) took suitcases filled with supplies for the school. It was such a treat to be able to give these items to the children for their school. Chris and I met up with "Punta Cana Mike" and spent the morning with him, visiting the school, the local community, the families and the children who attend the school.
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After visiting the school, and hearing about their needs, their hopes and their desires to expand the school, Chris and I decided we would use our family charity (Two Homes One Heart) to build the community an outdoor playground. The playground will be built on the school property but I say "community playground" because it will truly be something everyone will enjoy. As we walked the streets of the small community, we quickly saw there was nothing to really entertain the children...no play things of any kind - toys, books, games, etc...The families lived in very small homes (about the size of our outdoor sheds)or they lived in rusted out buses. They don't have any of the luxuries we are used to like cooking stoves, fridges, washer/dryers, grocery stores, etc...They cooked their meals over open flame (when there was meat to cook) and mostly live on vegies and rice. We also found out the average INCOME per family is $50/month! And you know what else we noticed? The price of food and clothing is not much cheaper than what we pay in Canada! Can you imagine trying to feed and clothe your family on $50/ month??!! and then paying for them to go to school? PEOPLE!!!! We are so completely SPOILED ROTTEN!
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Chris and I, along with Punta Cana Mike thought an outdoor playground would be a lot of fun for the children. It would give them a comman place to hang out together, interact with their families, have a place for activity during school breaks, etc...
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our goal is to raise about $4000 to build them a full playground with slides, swings and some smaller items for the toddler/preschool classes. For an example of what we are talking about, click HERE to see the one we build at our daughter's orphanage in China.
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If anyone is traveling to Punta Cana and would like to meet up with "Punta Cana Mike" or another contact we've made, please email me and I''ll give you all the info. I also have contacts for Puerta Plata area!
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Scoping out the school, checking out the area...
The site of the new playground
One of the classrooms. There are 4 and none have electricity. They split the day into 2 so that all the kids can attend. Half go in the morning and the other half go in the afternoon.
This is what's on both sides of the school. They would like to purchase this lot here and expand the school. The price for this lot is $20,000!
In the background you'll see part of the community...the homes....Here is the sweetest little boy who stole my heart (but then, they all do!)
This was a little store...this "store" supports a whole family. Another little friend we made on our visit. His brother is the one taking the picture. He LOVED our digital camera.
Several families lived in these buses.
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Hanging with some very sweet kids - all of them got extra granola bars for their cuteness and they also got new toothbrushes and toothpaste! You'll see a little girl in the background by the fence...don't worry, she was not forgotten. She received treats as well!
Chris was captivated by this sweet little girl. She was shy but she had the most amazing blue eyes! She loved her treats from Chris!
This was a little store...this "store" supports a whole family. Another little friend we made on our visit. His brother is the one taking the picture. He LOVED our digital camera.
Several families lived in these buses.
***************Chris and I went on a 4 wheeler excursion and were able to visit many children and their families. We took about 50 toothbrushes/tooth paste sets and about 150 granola bars with us. We tied the bag of "goodies" to our handlebars and off we went. We passed out every single one and I wished I had brought more! Everyone (parents, adults, teenagers, our guides!) was asking for the toothbrushes and tooth paste. I didn't realize they would be such a hit. Next time, we will take tons more!!!
Hanging with some very sweet kids - all of them got extra granola bars for their cuteness and they also got new toothbrushes and toothpaste! You'll see a little girl in the background by the fence...don't worry, she was not forgotten. She received treats as well!
Chris was captivated by this sweet little girl. She was shy but she had the most amazing blue eyes! She loved her treats from Chris! 
