The trip was more than I imagined it would be. Being in the orphanage for four weeks allowed me the amazing experience of interacting with the children and culture in a real and profound way. Dale and Marta were essential pieces to the success of the trip. They were selfless and supportive and I couldn`t have imagined better leadership. Alexis Harris, Connecticut
I never dreamed I would get to know and respect each and every child. They have so many talents, unique habits in the learning lab and sports games. I mean I really know them. Even though it was challenging and difficult I would not trade it for the world. Pam Wren, New York
New Orphan
We received a new orphan this week. Banni is six years old. He has no father and his mother is a local prostitute. We spend time with him each day to help him adjust. He needs special education and we can provide that for him here. It has been difficult for Banni, especially this week when he began to realize that he was not going home. He has been crying a lot. It breaks your heart to see a child go through a process like this. The other boys have been so good to him by not hitting back when he hits them. They tell him that they are his new brothers now. Banni is intellectual behind children his age. He also seems to be in poor health. The doctor says he has been starved for a moderate period of time.
Dental Needs
One of the things we have noticed is the need for dental care for the children. Due to poor diets and lack of previous dental care, the children often come to us with terrible dental needs. We have taken a couple of the children with the most severe needs to the dentist. For one boy it was too late to save some of his permanent teeth. The other we can save. Dental care products are needed. Also, a nutritionist has told us that the children need improved diets that include calcium. Mostly dairy products are lacking in the diet and we are working with the orphanage to improve this situation.
Baseball Needs
We notice that the kids need batting helmets and shin guards. Two of our teams played a team from the town in the region's capital and the boys were all sharing the same helmet. These boys play hardball and they pitch very hard.
August 15, 2004
Field report from Good Samaritan Orphanage, Dominican Republic
We had a close call with hurricane Alex a couple of weeks ago. It dumped several inches of rain on us and it flooded most of our buildings. No major damage was sustained except for a few places where the sewer pipe burst through the ground..
Since Alex we have noticed the effects of Charlie which devasted Florida. We are keeping an eye on tropical storm Danielle out in the eastern Atlantic at the moment. To prepare for anticipated heavy winds we are repairing the roofs of the orphanage buildings. The boys and all the staff are making repairs.
Thanks to Grant
Thanks to Grant Johnson of the United Methodist Mens group in Ridgefiled for sending plans to build an official baseball field according to the rules of Little League. Next week a work crew of local boys and the orphans will be laying out the exact measurements.
Birth Announcement
A baby hummungbird has hatched in the kitchen area of the orphanage volunteer area. We have watched this nest made out of spiderwebs for weeks. We placed a feeder for the mother who has discovered it and it using it during the day. The chick is now 10 days old and doing fine. We we worried at first because the mother left the nest but apparently this is normal after 10 days.
The boys have taken an interest in our care for the birds. I think it teaches them lessons about caring for all living beings.
Biographies of orphans
Dale and Marta Johnson,
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atten. Dale and Marta
6111 Robert E. Lee Street,
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