July 12, 2010
The second and last day of visits here in the D.R. is in the books. After 32 such visits, you'd think I'd have it all
figured out by now, including how the kids would react. Wrong. If I had a dime for everything I got wrong, I could
sponsor 2500 kids and have money left over to retire comfortably!
Anyway, Jeremy, a CI business development manager from the States, joined Yaseni, Kelvin, Carmen (the field rep)
and me for today's visit to see Maria Esther, a quiet 12-year-old - or at least I thought she was normally quiet. She
turned out to be every bit as shy and reserved as during my first visit in December 2008. Thinking that this was her
usual demeanor, her mother confided to us that Maria flaps her gums until the family's ears hurt. I guess Maria
turns inward when a certain padrino comes by. Oh well....
One thing has changed for sure, and that is Maria has put in a serious growth spurt. While still being rail thin, I
think she's probably 6" taller than before, all of it in the legs. Could have sworn she wouldn't find jeans that would
fit her frame, but mom succeeded in getting just the right pair.
I also wanted to ensure that all of her siblings could join us this time around. Since school is out for the summer,
this is much easier to arrange, and Maria has plenty of siblings. Two younger sisters and two younger brothers
make for a busy household, and this is for a mother that has yet to reach her 30th birthday. I can only marvel at
how a woman in this situation isn't completely overwhelmed by it all. Being wealthy with au pairs, nannies,
babysitters, and extended family would still be challenging when rearing 5 young kids. Doing so in poverty by
herself boggles the mind.
What's their situation like? Hard, but not hopeless. The father has a steady job running his own auto body shop
adjoining their home. The bad news: it's the same job he's had for many years, so the chance of seeing a large
increase in income is not good. This is offset somewhat by the fact that the mother is attending school on the
weekends to get her high school equivalency. I don't know enough about the local job market to know
how/whether this will result in an improved standard of living. Can't hurt, eh?
If nothing else, it sets an example for the children that education is key to escaping from the cycle of poverty. Maria
showed me her latest report card, indicating percentages ranging from 81-93%. Unless the schools suffer from
grade inflation, it appears that Maria is doing well in school, which will be needed if she wants to achieve her goal
of becoming a school teacher.
Their home is humble, yet clean. The walls and floors are cement, with a corrugated metal roof, which, in the DR is a
recipe for a warm environment. Muy caliente! We endure this for a few minutes here and there; this is their
day-to-day reality. No wonder the kids are thin. They sweat off the pounds living in their three room sauna.
For the three youngest kids, our trip to the mall was their very first. I enjoy watching the wonderment in their eyes
as they take it all in: the bright lights, the mass of shoppers, the fascination of an escalator, and the toys! Rows and
rows of toys. Like they've died and gone to heaven. I made sure they didn't have to merely window shop. All of
them got clothes and a toy or two.
Funny and touching was Maria's insistence on buying me a little frame - with my money. I remember many years
ago borrowing money from my parents to buy them gifts. Turn about is fair play, I suppose. The fact that she's
thinking of others is the important thing.
What is it about young kids and shopping carts? It's a free ride while they reach for stuff, only to have mom snatch
it away and put the item back. There is probably a photo or two of me pushing 3-4 kids clinging to the sides.
Oh, and there was pizza and ice cream too. Blue ice cream. Yuck. They thought it tasted grand, and that's what
matters.
There wasn't enough time to find something fun to do near the mall, so we created our own fun. When we arrived
back home I joined the kids in an impromptu game of soccer and volleyball using the boys' brand new soccer ball. A
big hit. We kept it short to prevent the adults from melting in the brutal midday sun. If you're coming here, feel
free to leave the sweaters at home.
Every visit ends with bittersweet memories: heartfelt thanks from mom, a strong handshake from dad, and hugs
and well wishes from kids that hopefully experienced something that will carry them through some hard days
ahead. As for me, hearing a precious girl say, "I love you" and ask for me to come back makes it all worthwhile.
Next up: a two hour bus ride south to Santo Domingo tomorrow. I have the pleasure of being with CI staff for the
latest community center opening. If there's anything worth blogging, I'll be sure to send along a note to the group.
The second and last day of visits here in the D.R. is in the books. After 32 such visits, you'd think I'd have it all
figured out by now, including how the kids would react. Wrong. If I had a dime for everything I got wrong, I could
sponsor 2500 kids and have money left over to retire comfortably!
Anyway, Jeremy, a CI business development manager from the States, joined Yaseni, Kelvin, Carmen (the field rep)
and me for today's visit to see Maria Esther, a quiet 12-year-old - or at least I thought she was normally quiet. She
turned out to be every bit as shy and reserved as during my first visit in December 2008. Thinking that this was her
usual demeanor, her mother confided to us that Maria flaps her gums until the family's ears hurt. I guess Maria
turns inward when a certain padrino comes by. Oh well....
One thing has changed for sure, and that is Maria has put in a serious growth spurt. While still being rail thin, I
think she's probably 6" taller than before, all of it in the legs. Could have sworn she wouldn't find jeans that would
fit her frame, but mom succeeded in getting just the right pair.
I also wanted to ensure that all of her siblings could join us this time around. Since school is out for the summer,
this is much easier to arrange, and Maria has plenty of siblings. Two younger sisters and two younger brothers
make for a busy household, and this is for a mother that has yet to reach her 30th birthday. I can only marvel at
how a woman in this situation isn't completely overwhelmed by it all. Being wealthy with au pairs, nannies,
babysitters, and extended family would still be challenging when rearing 5 young kids. Doing so in poverty by
herself boggles the mind.
What's their situation like? Hard, but not hopeless. The father has a steady job running his own auto body shop
adjoining their home. The bad news: it's the same job he's had for many years, so the chance of seeing a large
increase in income is not good. This is offset somewhat by the fact that the mother is attending school on the
weekends to get her high school equivalency. I don't know enough about the local job market to know
how/whether this will result in an improved standard of living. Can't hurt, eh?
If nothing else, it sets an example for the children that education is key to escaping from the cycle of poverty. Maria
showed me her latest report card, indicating percentages ranging from 81-93%. Unless the schools suffer from
grade inflation, it appears that Maria is doing well in school, which will be needed if she wants to achieve her goal
of becoming a school teacher.
Their home is humble, yet clean. The walls and floors are cement, with a corrugated metal roof, which, in the DR is a
recipe for a warm environment. Muy caliente! We endure this for a few minutes here and there; this is their
day-to-day reality. No wonder the kids are thin. They sweat off the pounds living in their three room sauna.
For the three youngest kids, our trip to the mall was their very first. I enjoy watching the wonderment in their eyes
as they take it all in: the bright lights, the mass of shoppers, the fascination of an escalator, and the toys! Rows and
rows of toys. Like they've died and gone to heaven. I made sure they didn't have to merely window shop. All of
them got clothes and a toy or two.
Funny and touching was Maria's insistence on buying me a little frame - with my money. I remember many years
ago borrowing money from my parents to buy them gifts. Turn about is fair play, I suppose. The fact that she's
thinking of others is the important thing.
What is it about young kids and shopping carts? It's a free ride while they reach for stuff, only to have mom snatch
it away and put the item back. There is probably a photo or two of me pushing 3-4 kids clinging to the sides.
Oh, and there was pizza and ice cream too. Blue ice cream. Yuck. They thought it tasted grand, and that's what
matters.
There wasn't enough time to find something fun to do near the mall, so we created our own fun. When we arrived
back home I joined the kids in an impromptu game of soccer and volleyball using the boys' brand new soccer ball. A
big hit. We kept it short to prevent the adults from melting in the brutal midday sun. If you're coming here, feel
free to leave the sweaters at home.
Every visit ends with bittersweet memories: heartfelt thanks from mom, a strong handshake from dad, and hugs
and well wishes from kids that hopefully experienced something that will carry them through some hard days
ahead. As for me, hearing a precious girl say, "I love you" and ask for me to come back makes it all worthwhile.
Next up: a two hour bus ride south to Santo Domingo tomorrow. I have the pleasure of being with CI staff for the
latest community center opening. If there's anything worth blogging, I'll be sure to send along a note to the group.
