August 23, 2011

As a part of the new Project Trust girls’ orientation, we had a team retreat at Playa Azul.  The opening activity was to get people moving, and comfortable working together in VERY tight circumstances.  Twister brought out the competitive and flexible sides of most everyone, as you can see in this picture.

August 21, 2011

At church, babies get passed around from one person to the next, and I has been very hard to figure out which baby belongs to which woman.  In the DR you see the concept of “it takes a village to raise a child” put into action.  This baby was obviously over joyed to be in church that day, as most are!

August 19, 2011

The second day of school was slightly better attended than the first.  Still, there were only two girls in the Preschool class.  The smallest girl made up for her classmates’ absence though, and out sung all of the older kids and the teachers. She is the smallest in the school but her powerful vocal chords make her presence known.

August 17, 2011

The first day of school was scarcely attended.  These were the only kids to attend the morning session in the La Hoya school.  Many parents don’t start putting money away for uniforms and school supplies until school actually starts, so many kids don’t show up until the next week of school.   Usually this courtyard is chockfull of kids each morning and afternoon.

Aug 16, 2011

Olivia gathered a crowd at the beach.  These kids followed her around for the day, and she seemed to enjoy their company.

Aug 15, 2011

Rudy is the COPA messenger.  He is incredibly trust worthy, as we send hundreds of thousands of pesos back and forth into Barahona with him every month.  He will search the entire city for any object you desire, and will even do cost comparison.  His son is a shy but sweet boy that comes in the mornings to collect the daily tasks.  It is fun to see a dad here be so sweet with his child.

August 14, 2011

At the beach, a Dominican woman watches the waves and the incoming storm clouds.