My Life-Changing Trip to the Dominican Republic

In the spring of 2019, I went on a life-changing trip to the Dominican Republic. I went with an organization called OneChild and had the opportunity to see firsthand the work this amazing organization does on a daily basis.

My eyes were open to extreme poverty, social injustice, human trafficking, and so much more. I’ve been on trips around the world and have witnessed extreme poverty before, but this trip just broke my heart. Seeing these sweet kids and loving on them for a short time left lasting imprints on my heart. I will never forget this trip.

This trip was comprised of bloggers and photographers. We had the opportunity to visit some of the Hope Centers in the Dominican Republic. A Hope Center is a place where children go to receive education, nutritious food, medical needs, a loving community, and hear about the love of Jesus.

I had the wonderful chance to teach and work with children in the centers. We read them stories in Spanish (which wasn’t easy for me!), did sensory play with water beads and play dough, did some simple crafts and songs, and just played with the children.

Photo credit – Jo Lord

This time with the children gave me so much love for them but also broke my heart. Their conditions for school and living are less than ideal. In one village, many of the kids have to cross this river just to get to the Hope Center.

The adults that run the Hope Centers (called child champions) are from the community and have been loving on their communities for years. More than a third of this country lives on less than a few dollars a day. Some families living in severe poverty can’t send their children to school so they begin working at a young age.

Photo credit – Ashlee Kay Photography

One Child Matters helps children all over the world. In fact, they serve almost 40,000 children in 14 of the most poverty-stricken countries throughout the world.

Photo credit – Jo Lord

Children feel safe and loved in the Hope Centers.

Photo credit – David Alink

This organization is called One Child and now I understand its meaning. There is so much power in one. One person. Just one person is what it takes to start changing things. If one person decides to sponsor a child for a small amount of money per month, it will provide for their needs and change a child’s life.

Photo credit- Ashlee Kay Photography

There are over 1,000 kids in Central America waiting for sponsors. It is $39/month and this gift will forever change a child. Please don’t skip past this. If you are able to, please consider sponsoring a child. We can’t just stand by and watch when we have the opportunity to help.

YOU can make a difference in the life of a child that will impact them for the rest of their lives.

**UPDATE** (6/14/20)

Due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, many developing and third world countries are struggling. I recently talked with a team from OneChild and they’ve shared how countries like the Dominican Republic are handling the crisis. Unlike America, where we are blessed with stimulus check or can still easily access food, the people in the Dominican Republic are struggling to have enough food to feed their family.

They have to go out to get food with the little money they have and risk getting the virus. The healthcare systems and resources are not like what we have in the U.S. This article I read about how COVID-19 has impacted Latin America really sheds some light.

“Policies such as social distancing and isolation — which must be maintained for weeks to have any effect — have proved simply untenable in countries where many people live in crowded urban slums and must work every day to survive.”

I am so thankful for OneChild because they are providing a way for us to help and stand in the gap to make sure families get food.

Photo credit – Ashlee Kay Photography

What is the Gap?

• There is a growing gap between the number of children enrolled in OneChild development programs and the number of sponsors supporting those children. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, this gap has grown to nearly 8,000 unsponsored children at OneChild Hope Centers around the world.

What caused the Gap?

• This gap exists because children were enrolled in our programs for North American sponsorship events scheduled for the Spring and Summer of 2020. Due to Covid-19 and nation-wide restrictions of large gatherings, those sponsorship events have all been canceled or postponed. This means the opportunity to connect sponsors to children never happened.
• Fortunately, these children have been enrolled in the program and will receive healthy food, medical care, and access to other crucial benefits of the program. However, without a monthly contribution from a sponsor, there is a gap between expenses for that child and income to cover those expenses.
• We know this is a temporary situation until gatherings will be approved and sponsorship services will once again be possible. But the Gap is significant enough that it needs to be addressed immediately for the well-being of those children.

What can be done to address this temporary Gap?

• OneChild’s short term solution for keeping unsponsored children in our life-giving development programs is to raise $10 per child, per month.
• Together we can fill this Gap and provide a vital program experience for unsponsored children until they can be connected to their own sponsors.
  

Just $10 per child per month will begin to close the gap. If you feel led to give, you can do so here.

Thank you for opening your heart and supporting those in need. ❤️

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