Orphanage Outreach - News!

Award Winning Video! Give and Getaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Bryan Linck) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:04:00 +0000

American University student Kathryn Daily volunteered with Orphanage Outreach during last year's Christmas and New Year's week. She produced this 18 minute video which has received a number of awards. She also created this one minute OO Introductory video, I Am Orphanage Outreach.

Winter 2010 Program Options

noreply@blogger.com (Bryan Linck) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:03:00 +0000

We have a number of different volunteer options for winter break:

Jaibon Construction Program
Join us at the orphanage in Jaibon for a construction filled week. You'll be helping to build additional housing and storage space. Of course there will be plenty of time with the children as well. Program donation: $1000/week plus airfare; includes housing, all meals, ground transportation, room and board, and construction materials. No scholarships apply. Construction weeks:

December 18 - December 25
December 25 - January 1
January 1- January 8
January 8 - January 15

Monte Cristi Holiday Trip
Join us at the orphanage in Monte Cristi for a traditional holiday volunteer experience - spend Christmas, New Years, and Kings Day with the children. It's a great place to celebrate the holidays! Normal Orphanage Outreach program donation and scholarships apply. Recommended holiday weeks:

December 18 - December 25
December 25 - January 1
January 1 - January 8
January 8 - January 15

Nicaragua Holiday Service Trip
Past Orphanage Outreach Volunteers and Teams are invited to join us in Jinotega, Nicaragua. You'll have the opportunity to work with pre-school children, and also to work on various construction/work projects. Available weeks include:

December 26 - January 2
December 29 - January 5
January 5 - January 12

Nicaragua July 2010 Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Bryan Linck) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:02:00 +0000

Twenty three volunteers joined Orphanage Outreach July 4-11 in Jinotega, Nicaragua. The team worked at two pre-schools, working hard at improving the facilities as well as working with the children.

The pre-schools are intended to work with the poorest children in the neighborhoods, providing them a secure place to go while their parent or parents are at work or looking for work. The children receive a breakfast and lunch, as well as activity learning time.

The Caritas Felices pre-school badly needed a retaining wall to keep rain water from flowing down the hill and onto the property, flooding the back yard play area and often flooding the school. The Orphanage Outreach team raised funds for this major project, and completed the foundation and columns for the wall.

The Linda Vista preschool also had flooding problems - the Orphanage Outreach team working there built a cement drainage ditch, and added a sidewalk to help keep water out of the classrooms. Additional projects included placing sinks in the bathroom, providing six much needed metal storage cabinets at the facilities, and purchasing $1000 of food. The team also brought many pounds of educational supplies, clothing and shoes, and food items to donate.

Orphanage Outreach volunteers worked directly with the teachers in both centers, providing the kids many hours of educational activities.

Thank you to the volunteers and all the donors who made this trip possible!

July Trip Video

July Trip Photo Show

Orphanage Outreach Nicaragua was one of the most life-changing experiences I'll ever have. The inspiring community and the energy of the volunteers combined to make an incredibly powerful, positive trip. ...Haroula Tsolakidis, Nicaragua, July 2010

A Busy Summer in the D.R.!

noreply@blogger.com (Bryan Linck) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:59:00 +0000

Over 450 volunteers joined Orphanage Outreach in the Dominican Republic this summer! The volunteers worked at both the Jaibon site and Monte Cristi site.

The volunteers were involved in both a Christian based learning camp program, and a learning camp program with no religious focus. In both programs, volunteers created fun learning camps in which they taught English, reading, and public health, and also included art, music, and recreation.

Literally thousands of children in the Monte Cristi and Jaibon communities were positively impacted. This will be the only camp program the children receive during the summer.

A number of social work interns joined leaders Patty Magee and Mary Zeigler in a pilot social work internship program. In addition to being involved in the specific Orphanage Outreach activities happening during the summer, the group looked at social work needs at a macro and micro level. The group also had the opportunity to visit with other social services organizations in the Dominican Republic.

Other happenings included the tiling of the first floor of the Monte Cristi orphanage, the completion of the Jaibon second floor education center, library, and computer center, and the purchase of a number of animals in Jaibon - a milk cow and her calf, six sheep, and miscellaneous ducks, turkeys, and chickens.

In addition to the hard work of conducting the learning camps, this summer's volunteers were able to participate on a number of cultural field trips including the colonial zone in Santo Domingo, the Puerto Plata tourist area, the Maribel sisters house and museum, Punta Rusia beach, Santiago museums, and of course historical Monte Cristi and El Moro beach.

Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made this summer's program possible!

OO is an experience not only for the individual or group, but also for families and children. It is safe, well-organized, and provides more than an orphanage experience. OO provides community, grass-roots experience complemented by history and culture exposure through talks and tours. OO is highly regarded in the community. There is a lot to be said when working alongside return volunteers. I plan to participate again, with my husband and children. The most important thing I used and brought home with me, and use in my everyday life, is "It's not about you" a value of OO. The children and families and what they make do with humble you. When working with them, I constantly found myself thinking, "It's not about you" when things needed to be changed quickly. That was my mantra down there, and will continue to be here when working with my children and those in the community
....Jennifer McVeigh, Old Orchard Beach, ME

Independence Day Parade...

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:49:00 +0000

Here are a few more photos from the parade.
We've just started out - the Catholic church is in the background.

Dancers from the Colegio in town.

Greeting "los Americanos"(North Americans) during the parade.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE - VIVA LA REPUBLICA DOMINICANA!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:38:00 +0000

Proud children from the orphanage with their flag above - waiting for the parade to start. They marched right in front of us.

Here we are marching in the parade (showing off our first Orphanage Outreach flag that was painted by a local artist)!
You will see our group proudly carried four flags:
Orphanage Outreach
Dominican Republic
Canada
USA

At the end of the parade we gathered with, primarily school children and city officials for an impressive ceremony.

LONG LIVE THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!

INDEPENDENCE DAY - English Students

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:32:00 +0000

Students from our English School were in the Dominican Independence Day parade this morning. If you look close, you can see red-white-blue necklaces that they made at our English school the day before.

Welcome to Elizabeth Geddes, our first Medical Intern!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:09:00 +0000

Elizabeth Geddes arrived on Saturday February 24th, and will be with us for two months. She has been very dedicated to Orphanage Outreach and has made numerous volunteer trips over the years. This time, she will be with us for two months as a Medical Intern on a practicum through the University of Kentucky and will be working closely with Dr. Garcia (above) and Dr. Peralta at the provincial hospital in the morning and at various clinics in the afternoon.

Yesterday, we went with Dr. Garcia to a banana plantation where a preventative health program has set up a clinic and serves some of the poorest people in the province of Monte Cristi.

Clinic waiting room above with photo of Dr. Garcia and a patient. Dr. Garcia has a big heart for his patients and has been very dedicated to the people of Monte Cristi. It is wonderful to be able to have this new interchange with our first Medical Intern.

Wishing you a great internship Elizabeth!

If you are a medical student interested in interning here, please be in touch with us. There are many ways to serve and learn.

Constructing Tent City!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:22:00 +0000

Welcome back North Country School!
Welcome back University of Western Ontario!

This week we are joined by two returning schools and a lot has been happening. The structure for the tarps for tent city have been created and beds were moved in - our Tent City 'Master', Larry from North Country School says we will be putting up the tarps for the first half tomorrow!

By the end of the week, outdoor sleeping space for 56 volunteers will have been created in our "Tent City"!

Farewell Monica

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 21:12:00 +0000

The past 4 months have gone by very quickly, and now we must say goodbye to one of our wonderful interns - Monica Tawfik. Through her teaching at Casa de Ingles, as well as the relationships she's built here with the kids at the orphanage, she's made an enormous impact on the lives of the children here in Monte Cristi.

To thank her for all that she has done, the students at the English school said goodbye with cards, songs, and lots of hugs.

Thank you Monica! You will be missed a great deal, but we know we'll see you again soon. :)

Feliz Dia de Amistad!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:35:00 +0000

It was our honor to host a Valentine's Day dinner for both the children and the board of directors here at the orphanage. Everyone arrived "dressed to impress" and each attendie was escorted to their seat by a hostess.

As the evening continued, dinner was served and a number of surprises followed. There was a photo shoot, carnival-type games, songs, and distribution of prizes for all who came. The event was a success and everyone had a wonderful time!

Volleyball Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 15:20:00 +0000

A tournament was held to officially open the new volleyball court. Teams consisted of volunteers, as well as kids from the orphanage. Even Pastor Ramon took part in a few games!

Carolina, Jazmine, and Nicol were the first place winners of the 3 on 3 tournament. Great Job!

Rain Water Collection Cistern

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:54:00 +0000

PROYECTO VERDE!
PROJECT GREEN!

The new rainwater collection cistern will hold 30,000 gallons of rainwater collected from the roofs at the orphanage. In addition, it will free up some of the orphanage existing cistern capacity for the new orphanage garden.

Welcome Geoff!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:29:00 +0000

A huge thank you to Geoff Martin, our new 5 week intern. He has been doing an amazing job jumping right in to teach at Casa de Ingles as well as doing work projects.

He has also contributed to Orphanage Outreach through his photography skills. They have enhanced the images we now have of the beautiful people and landscape here in Monte Cristi.

Graywater Collection System

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:37:00 +0000

PROYECTO VERDE!

PROJECT GREEN!

Winter volunteers helped to build a gray water collection system, to collect laundry and shower water. This water can be used to water non-edible trees and plants.

Water will be pumped out daily. For much of the year, Monte Cristi is a desert, and water is scarce. This gray water system will also reduce demands on the orphanage septic system.

Escuelita at the Orphanage!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 15:43:00 +0000

During their weeks off from classes, the University girls have been devoting a great deal of time and effort in holding school for the younger children at the orphanage. They've been doing a wonderful job, working mostly on basic essentials, like the alphabet, numbers, and writing skills.

Orphanage Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:43:00 +0000

PROYECTO VERDE
PROJECT GREEN

The orphanage is now growing vegetables in a large garden in the large barren area immediately to the left when you enter the gate. Rain will provide water during the rainy season, and collected rain water will extend the growing season.

The children have been working along with some orphanage staff to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, including delicious peppers, tomatoes, corn and yuca.

Welcome Byran & Amy Linck!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:24:00 +0000

Bryan and Amy Linck, recent graduates from Central Michigan University, are now volunteering with Orphanage Outreach full time. They've committed to volunteering as directors for 2 years. Both Bryan and Amy volunteered several times with Orphanage Outreach before, including a long-term internship for Amy. Together they led last year's CMU alternative spring break team here. Bryan is taking on Team Director position, and Amy will be Program Director.

Merry Risa is walking!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 16:04:00 +0000

Thanks to the lovely and sweet hearted Katie Kearns,
Merry Risa was able to receive a walker to help her
build the confidence she needed to try to begin walking on her own.

The very next week she started walking independently!!
Now she's walking and running all around the orphanage grounds.
A very special thank you to Katie!

Casa de Ingles Party! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:15:00 +0000

Although it's already January, we held an
"End of the Year/Christmas/New Year's" party
for the students at Casa de Ingles.
With snacks, games and prizes, we also watched Charlie Brown's
Christmas Special in English. The kids really enjoyed it!

We've had a point system since the beginning of the school year,
working towards a prize at the Christmas Party.
Although the Super Sharks and Brave Bears did an excellent job,
the Terrific Tigers are the winners!!
Congratulations Terrific Tigers on a job very well done! :)

Happy Birthday Monica!!! - Dominican Style :)

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:28:00 +0000

After serving with us for 3 months, it was only right to celebrate Monica's birthday Dominican style.

Her gifts of water began earlier in the day caroling with the students from Casa de Ingles, and continued back at the the orphanage. She was a great sport the whole time!

Caroling with the English students

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:15:00 +0000

To give back to the community, the students from Casa de Ingles all joined together in going around the town to sing Christmas carols to the older residents of Monte Cristi.

Anna's expression was priceless! She was one of the many Monte Cristians who were seranaded by the students.

After caroling we took all the kids to the new park. The children and volunteers had a great time, especially because they turned the water on for us to play. As an added bonus - Adela was gracious enough to invite us all into her restaurant to enjoy some pop. :)

Happy New Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 15:08:00 +0000

The new year was ushered in with singing and celebrating with the children, all together in church.

Christmas Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 03:42:00 +0000

With the help of the university girls - who came home for the holidays, the interns, and some others who had grown up at the home here, we had a Christmas feast with all the children.

After dinner we went with all the kids to the new park in Monte Cristi, which was recently built as a memorial to Manuel (Manolo) Tavarez Justo, husband of Minerva Mirabal, of the Mirabal Sisters.
The park was beautifully lit up for Christmas.

Welcome Erika!

noreply@blogger.com (Coco) — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 03:13:00 +0000

A warm welcome to Erika - the newest member of the family here at the orphanage. She's all smiles - adjusting right into her new home on Christmas.