BUTTERFLIES

With some time to spare after English Class today, the kids made butterflies out of pipe cleaners and pom-poms.  We aren't sure exactly why but they referred to them as 'good luck butterflies'....so be it!

MORE GIFTS FOR MOMS

The kids made more gifts for Mother's day today that included chickens made from felt, and greeting cards. As materials are hard to come by, we made lamps from styrofoam cups, and dolls from wooden spoons.

RECYCLED HAND PUPPETS

Here are the beautiful results of our recycled hand puppet project.  Made from an old pop bottle, a toilet paper roll, material scraps (thanks to Tammy's donation), wool pieces.....and voila!!  See our beautiful puppets below.  The kids had a good giggle while making up their own puppet shows.  The puppets will be used in the future as great teaching tools for classes on sexual abuse prevention, bullying, racism and other life lessons.  Thank you Christiane for heading another great craft class.

SNAKES AND LADDERS

We had 3 different stations set up for the kids today.  Station one was for bracelet making.  The girls loved that, and the boys were so happy to make a bracelet to take home for their moms. Station two was Snakes and Ladders, a game that our Dominican kids have never experienced.  They were fascinated.  Station three was Dora Dominoes.  Our kids are experts at that game as dominoes are a major part of life here on the island.  Thanks to Deb and Mike for the games, crafts, and all the supplies you, your friends and family collected to bring down for the kids.

ARTS AND CRAFTS - MASKS

Our first classes were great!  Happy cheerful kids doing what they do best.....having fun!  We started with arts and crafts making colourful masks.  The children learned how to paper mache over a plastic kitchen bowl to form the shape of the mask.  It didn't take long for them to dry in the Caribbean sun.  Then the painting began, lots of different patterns, sparkles and feathers.  The end result, our little masked marvels below.  Thank you Christiane for your great craft classes.

POWERTRIPS

My long time friend Judy Warrington was here today with 3 lady supporters that will be planning their annual March Powetrip http://www.powertrips.org/.  Judy has been a loyal supporter here in the Dominican Republic for many years.  Her student groups come each March to renovate public schools and hold teacher workshops at the public schools that so desperately need help here in the Dominican.  Judy and her colleagues, Lara, Colleen and Cathy held a craft class for the kids at Ilda’s school.  They made butterflies, paper chains and ornaments for our Christmas tree.  The kids love crafts and a fun time was had by all.

CRAFTS WITH CHRISTIANE

My friend, Christiane scheduled a craft workshop at the school this morning for our 5 teachers.  They were taught some Christmas crafts and in turn will show their students in time for Christmas.  We made decorations for Christmas trees, angels and Santas.  The class was to be for teachers only, but somehow along the line we ended up with 10 of our kids that joined in.  The teachers enjoyed their time, and the kids learned very quickly and were pleased to know they could take their crafts home with them.  Thank you Christiane for a wonderful morning.