Kathiana!

Kathiana is a very shy and wonderful little girl. Sort of standofish at first, but once you bond with her she's your friend forever! Always ready and willing to participate she is a joy to have around.

Loraina!

If there is a picture of a teenage girl being a teenage girl it is Loraina. Pre-teen as she can be full of emotions with a good heart!

June!

This summer has really been taking off! We've introduced our new sewing and jewelry class for the girls to learn both trades, spend time in class making materials, eventually learn to market specific products and then to sell them on their own! We're really excited about the opportunities these programs will open up for our girls! Here's Loraina working so hard on both her first sewing and jewelry project


And here she is just being silly around the club one day. We love summer! :)

December

November Updates

Both girls working hard at the Club



Kathiana playing with a nail painting kit that was donated


Loraina was bit by a bee while she was sleeping



Both girls can be seen in this group picture (on the far right) wearing their school uniforms that their sponsor paid for. The outfit that Loraina is wearing (blue shirt, khaki skirt) is the uniform they wear for classes at Chocolatera, the school they both attend. The outfit Kathiana is wearing (blue pants and white shirt) is their gym uniform. They must wear blue and white hair accessories to school as well.

Halloween

Dove was able to get a huge donation of Halloween costumes and threw a giant party for the kids on the afternoon of Halloween, during Saturday Boys and Girls Club. The kids, as you can see, had a blast! Loraina and Kathiana were the only girls who came to the party with homemade costumes. Notice Kathiana's- made out of a rice sack!

Loraina and Kathiana with their friends Lorani and Alani


Loraina with Cathy and her close friend Yohani

Loraina: Salon Work

One of the longer term goals for Dove is to teach the kids vocations so that as they grow older, they can support their families. These older girls are interested in working in a salon. Conveniently, there is one located right near the Center. The girls are very excited to learn how to work in a salon, as you can see from their big smiles! Loraina will take part in this program.

October

Kathiana in the pink (bottom right)



Loraina

September

School Starts

School starts in the Dominican Republic at the end of August. Children attend school either in the morning or the afternoon- not for full days, like we do in Canada and the United States. Both girls were provided with uniforms (2 shirts, bottoms, undershirts and underpants, and socks), shoes, gym clothes, notebooks and pencils. The videos were taken on the day Loraina got her uniform (Kathiana went on another day). Thank you to their sponsor, Cathy, for sending the money for this!

Summer Photos

Kathiana and her friends Lorani and Alani


Kathiana, on the left, with friend Raysa.


Loraina, holding a chicken, with friends and a volunteer, Nikki, on the beach area outside her home.


Working on jewelry making with Marcos and Cathy.


Both girls and their friends showing off their art projects.



Loraina with a volunteer, Lauren, and some donations.


English class


Loraiana in line at the club- she still has a thumb sucking habit!


Loraina with Liz, after completing her handprint craft.


Loraiana working on an art project.


Myself with Loraina, her best friend Yohani, and two babies.

Sponsor Visit

My family came to visit me during the end of my 2 month trip to the DR. They came along to the Girls Club and instantly felt drawn to Loraina, and decided to sponsor her and her sister Kathiana and their family.






*photos from June 2009

Pool Party!

Liz, along with Jencen and Jenny (two Canadian volunteers in the DR for 2 weeks) took the girls of the Girls Club to a pool party, and Loraina and Kathiana were able to attend! Loraiana is in the blue bathing suit and Kathiana is in the pink and orange.










*photos taken in July 2009