OUR VISIT TO THE DR

My wife Tammy and I visited Cathy Flynn at the DominiCanada Youth Development Centre in April, 2011. When we arrived at the centre we were greeted by Hilda, the director and her teaching staff.  Not long after, we met the reason why Cathy works as hard as she does on a daily basis - the amazing little children that she cares for and loves. Before class began we had a brief, shining moment (short time) to spend with the children to learn their names and interact with them. It's amazing how fast children trust and love you. My wife and I could not believe how much the children respected their teachers, but each other as well. As children trickled in during snack time, they willingly shared their food with those that hadn't eaten yet.

While Cathy and her team taught the children that morning, Cathy also shared with us the school's history, its success, as well as the challenges and obstacles that can slow down the progress of the Centre and everyone's efforts. The main obstacle? Always money. There is very little to go around. Not even enough to pay the teaching staff. These teachers come to the non-air conditioned school in hot temperatures day after day, sometimes late to be paid, and work so hard for the children. Tammy and I were touched by these real people, living real lives so far away, yet close enough that we can fly a few hours and be immersed in their culture and see first hand how poverty prevents growth. There are many other obstacles that Cathy and her team face in the run of a day and we left wondering how it was humanly possible for one woman to have so much love, so much hope, and so much drive. We took a picture of signs on the wall before we left and did not pay attention to a glaring message on the school wall until after we arrived back home...up above the main teaching area on the doorway into the room hangs a small red heart with four letters that spoke volumes to us, and will continue to speak to us as we continue to help the school and the children in the future...the word was HOPE.

Great vacations are made of great memories. I thought I'd remember the swim up bar the most, or the palm trees, or the food at the resort we stayed at. But what really left a lasting impression in both our minds were the beautiful children we met on our trip to Dominican Republic. How the life in their eyes and the light in their hearts, despite their very-real and harsh living conditions, gave us hope as human beings. We truly do not know how lucky we are to live in North America. When you're thrust unexpectedly into an environment where children are neglected, abused, and hungry, but for even one moment in their day they experience someone reaching out to love them, you can't help but be changed forever by it, seeing the hope in their eyes. And to think they saw that in me and my wife, even for a day. Those children need my help, and they need your help. My wife and I would encourage anyone reading to reach out to the Dominicanada Youth Development Center and sponsor a child on a monthly basis. A little help goes a long way. I've seen it happen.  Chris Mckinnon.