Backpacks and Joy

Before I write about today I have to share that the highlight of yesterday was that we went into downtown Santo Domingo last evening to do some shopping and sightseeing.  The shopping didn't last long because we kind of got tired of everyone coming up to us and asking us to check out their store and promising us a good price.(obviously they didn't know that we were traveling with the famous Carlos de Mayo and what they were offering was still way too high!) Sightseeing was fun, too.  We saw Christopher Columbus's house, which, I won't lie, wasn't super exciting.  And, I am not sure why he chose Santo Domingo to purchase a home, when he could have picked Punta Cana :)  Anyway, for dinner we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Santo Domingo and guess what they have there?!  That's right, macaroni and cheese!  It was soooo good!  Yesterday in the grocery store we also passed shelves full of macaroni and cheese.  I can definitely live here now.

Today though, was probably the best day we have had here so far.  We left at 7 this morning (yes, even I got up that early to leave) and went to a project in La Romana, which is about an hour from Santo Domingo on the way to Punta Cana.  The city we were in was so poor.  Homes looked like shacks and all of the roads were unpaved.  The poverty is just unbelievable and as soon as I am able to, I will post pictures.  They tell a much better story than I can.

At the children's project, there were about 50 children.  This project is so overcrowded that the children are not able to come every day.  They are on a rotation schedule and can only come two days per week.  In  this community alone there are 2,000 abandon children or children without homes.  Today was the 11th time I have handed out something to children, whether it be toys, clothing, school supplies, relief kits, etc.  In all of these experiences I have come to realize that there is one thing that children just become overjoyed with.  Backpacks.  We handed out backpacks to about 50 children.  Each one filled with new school supplies, clothing and toothbrushes.  They were just so overjoyed.  I also can't begin to describe this scene, because the pictures tell the story much better than I can.  I promise to post them as soon as I can when I get home.  The children were just so thrilled to have so many new things, especially the new backpacks.  Most of these children have never had a backpack before, and I am willing to bet that none of these children have ever seen a new tag on a backpack.  They did today though.  The pastor who runs this program thanked us so many times.  He was so gracious, we were so humbled.  He explained to us what an enormous help this was because the church attempts to purchase these items for the children when they cannot afford them.  This takes away funds needed for food and other necessary items for this project.  The new school supplies will help each child and the project as a whole.  This was really an amazing project for these children.  They teach them English and how to use simple programs on the computer.  In this country, the two most important things that can help one to get a better job and work their way out of poverty are learning English and learning how to use a computer. There is amazing work going on in this small building in this tiny impoverished community.  And tonight, there are 50 children overjoyed with their new backpacks.  Pictures will come soon.  The children were so grateful, so happy, so beautiful!  I could have easily brought 5 home with me (but don't worry, I didn't)

Here is a little glimpse of why I love Denise and Phil's two girls, Makenzie and Morgyn...

My conversation walking with Morgyn, who is 9, through Santo Domingo (she was incredibly bored)

Morygn: Kara, have I told you lately how much I love you and how dear you are to me?

Me: No Morgyn, you haven't, how about you tell me right now.

Morgyn:  Well, I just love you so much and you are such a special person to me and are so dear to me.

Me: Awww, thanks Morgyn, that is so nice of you.  Can I ask you if you want something?

Morgyn: Yea,  there is a Baskin Robbins up there, can we stop?

There is always a catch.......

Packing tonight (The Anderson's are coming to the US on Saturday for 3 weeks) with Morgyn:

Me (holding up shorts): Morgyn, does Makenzie wear these shorts, should we pack these for her?

Morgyn: No way, those are ugly.  

Me: OK, then I guess we're not taking them then.

Morgyn: Oh wait, did you buy those for her?

Me (laughing):  Ummm...no, but what if I said yes, were you going to change your mind quickly!