The Daycare Center at El Portal de Belen

The good work that the sisters do at the Daycare Center, El Portal de Belen, from which the foundations takes its name, is beyond belief. When we first became involved in the Dominican Republic some 12 years ago we started with the very first group of 50 children in Portal de Belen daycare center.

In this post I would like to introduce you to four of the children we are currently serving at El Portal de Belen.

Gordani (in the middle with his mouth open)Gordani’s father died and his mother is a prostitute who takes no care of him. He lives with an aunt. As you may know, they all love their picture taken.

IvaniaA couple of weeks ago Sr. Iris presented me with a darling little girl, Ivania, whose father, a drug dealer, was shot and killed by the police. The little one told Sr. Teresa that the police shot her father like a dog. The mother took up the family business of selling drugs, and was just released from jail. Ivania’s mother also has AIDS, as does one of her four children.

Christian (middle)Christian's father died of AIDS but his mother did not find this out until after his death. Christian’s mother works to support him. If this does not melt one's hearts, nothing will.

EnyerEnyer’s mother died days after his birth. His Father has been in prison and has not been responsible. Enyer lives with an aunt who has tuberculosis and whose husband does not have work.

Mahatma Gandhi said “For so many hungry children in the world , the face of God appears as a loaf of bread.”