More About Them...

Written by Nikki Cochrane, a volunteer- This family was one that captured my heart when I spent 2 months in the DR. I met Jose Manuel first, and knew instantly why everyone falls in love with him. He is adorable and such a sweetheart. He is often out on the streets shining shoes, which he knows he shouldn't be doing. It can be a dangerous place for a little kid, and on the first time I went to his house, he was not there because he had been thrown into jail for shoe shining in an area where the police don't want the kids shoe shining (don't want the tourists to see). They do not need a legit reason to throw the kids into jail, and the street boys, like Jose Manuel, are often targetted by them. One day we were at the beach with the boys, and Jose Manuel came. For just a few hours, he reverted back to being the child that he should be- playing and having fun. He was very clingy that day, and we worried about how he was doing at home. He wouldn't leave our sides and was snuggling and hugging for the entire time. We gave him the affection he so craved, and watching the change in him as he lightened up and had fun was incredible. I met his sisters, Elizabeth and Raysa, and his little brother Riley, shortly after. I think about them often now that I am home. It was clear to me from the moment that I met them that these kids needed more than most. I met their mother, and learned that a lot of the time, she wasn't at home with them. Elizabeth was put in charge of watching the kids, and because of this, doesn't go to school very often. They are always running up and down the streets, wearing tatters and covered in dirt. One time Riley, 4 years old, showed up at the Club looking very tired. It was clear that he hadn't eaten in awhile as he downed the bread and peanut butter we gave him, and then collapsed in Liz's arms. We passed him around between Liz, Melissa, and myself as we tried to run the Club, while at the same time trying to give him the affection he so clearly lacked. He was very lethargic, probably from his diet (or lack of). Raysa is a little firecracker- always bouncing off the walls hyper. She is beautiful and always smiling... very outgoing. Elizabeth breaks my heart. She is very rarely smiling- a very sullen and sad girl. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders. But when you do get her to loosen up and have fun, it is so special. She is possibly the one I worry about most, as she is uneducated and getting older. So many girls are forced into prostitution, and I would be heartbroken if this were to happen to her a few years down the road. Hopefully, the education Dove is providing, as well as the financial help (in terms of vouchers for food) will help this family enough to make changes in the kids' lives.