U.S. Volunteers
We currently have six volunteers from the U.S. working with us here at our mission site in the Dominican Republic, three in our Medical Clinic: Greg and Cindy Platko and Nancy Cunningham (a 1959 graduate of the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, N.J. and a former classmate of Sr. Ann-Joyce Peters, who founded and continues to work at the Society's mission site in the Dominican Republic), and three in our Learning Center: Erica Olsen, Catie McElwee, and Kari Charlson. Kari has returned for a second year to assume a leadership role in the Learning Center.

Children Thriving
Our children are thriving with the bread, milk, vitamins, parasite medicine, books, socks, and Montessori equipment our U.S. friends have made available. But, most of all the children are thriving from the loving, faith-filled care of our team of six Dominican teachers and three U.S. volunteers.  All this has made possible a better quality of life for our children, enhanced their ability to learn, and given us all a deeper understanding of a loving God. 

Dental Care
The day that “Smiles,” the dental N.G.O., was scheduled to arrive, the Learning Center was practically empty.  Why? All the children feared having their teeth pulled – the only thing they knew that a dentist did. We invented a puppet show geared to allaying fears. It did the trick. After one little boy known to be in pain emerged triumphant from the school bus/dentist’s office, everybody wanted to go to the dentist. All of our children continue to need extensive dental work. The “Smiles” bus, however, has broken down, but we have hope for later in the year.

Offering Comfort & Care
Wilcana, a little girl being raised by an older married sister, has the habit of eating dirt. Emotional upset takes many forms. Luigi, the sister’s one-and-a-half year old son, got very sick, fell, and impaled himself. They were unable to get him to the hospital in time, and he didn’t make it. Our team, especially Kari, has been a huge support to the family. With care and direction, Wilcana has calmed and is attending school. The family continues to struggle to regain their footing after their tragic loss.

A Growing Need
The number of children who come to us has doubled!  We are adapting to having 75 four- to seven-year-olds in a space we thought was full last year with 45. So far, we’ve made it work and it’s wonderful to have that many children learning!






Tropical Storm Noel
Tropical storm Noel did extensive damage to the batey and affected people greatly earlier in the fall. Rivers flooded fields and ruined crops. The people are in a desperate situation, as the rivers that provide their water are polluted with the dead—both animal and human. These same waters have flooded their houses, damaging mattresses, clothing, food, cooking charcoal, and text books. The children are sick. People have fungus on their feet from weeks of walking in mud, and many are starving.

During the worst of it, the road to the batey was impassible. When we got in via the Medical Center truck, we served hot soup to as many as we could and the nurses vaccinated all who were more afraid of typhoid than of the needle. Yet, the conditions remain intolerable—and probably will for some time. The Medical and Learning Centers both survived the storm, but are a bit the worse for it. However, both places continue to be refuge for the sick and the children.

We are here with will in hands. Because of our faithful donors in the U.S., the food, medicine, and education so desperately needed here has been placed into our hands. Both the children and the volunteer community pray for our helpers in the U.S. We give by being here. They are here by having given. And we are so very grateful. For additional information, contact Sr. Ann Joyce Peters, SHCJ.