Center of Development of Skills Graduation

Friday, May 15th the First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Doctor Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez, was here in Don Juan for the graduation of more than 400 students from our Center of Development of Skills. The sisters here, with the support of our foundation, bought the property where the center is located, and the nuns direct programming at the center. The building itself was designed, constructed and equipped by the government.Programming at the center includes classes on computer use, cooking, sewing and beautician skills.
The center is one more example of where your contributions to the Portal de Belen Foundation are at work helping the poor better their livelihood.
Doctor Margarita is the first, First Lady of a republic to whom I have ever been able to give a welcoming kiss (may there be more).
She is a very warm, gracious Lady indeed.

My life is never dull here.
~P.Ron

Putting a personal face on the world financial crisis

Like many, my personal income has decreased recently, while my expenses have increased. Tourism, which is the number one industry here in the Dominican Republic, has decreased by 25%. Off-season rates are now en vogue during what is actually the height of the tourist season. I spent two days after Holy Week in a principal resort in Punta Cana. There seemed to be more employees working than guests staying at the resort.

The third largest source of income here is money sent home from family members abroad (principally the USA). Even this source of financial support for local families is down more than 20%.

Previously we were able to cash a check and have it covered in 15 days, the time required is now 50 days. This delay is making projects here difficult to proceed with and to manage, and thereby causing increased unemployment.

A young man, whose nickname is Darling, came to visit me two weeks ago and told me that he was sick and had anemia. At 18 years old, Darling is still growing. He has always been thin, but now Darling seems malnourished more than he is just thin. The only source of income for his family right now is an apartment they rent out. I asked Darling if he had gone a clinic to be examined. He said no, so I gave him the money he needed to do so. Darling was right. Because of malnutrition, anemia is so common here that an 18 year old knows the symptoms and can correctly diagnose himself.

My life here is never dull, could use a vacation from it, at times.
~P. Ron

Sister Maria Arileida

A young woman from the parish here in Don Juan, Arileida Basarte, made her first profession as a nun in the Congregation of the Daughters of our Lady of Misericordia. Sister Maria Arileida made her first profession in the city of Rosario, Argentina. I was invited to attend and celebrate this wonderful event with her, and celebrate we did, with gusto!
~P. Ron

Questioning Sr. Maria Arileida's readiness

Reading her profession

Celebrating with friends!