Who would have thought that a a cup of coffee and a few snacks shared between three ladies, would soon become one of the most active and popular fundraising activities in Casa de Campo La Romana? The now well-known monthly charity event, the “Café de La Leche” for the Hogar del Niño, this year celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary – and to celebrate here we bring you a short history this wonderful tradition…..
It all started in 2001 when our Italian friend, Alessandra Avanzini along with Colombians, Claudia and Mónica Dávila, who, inspired by a similar activity in Columbia, proposed the event to the Hogar del Niño…….. and so the activity was held for the first time in Casa de Campo, to collect cereals, baby formula and milk for the more than 200 babies who are cared for daily at the Hogar del Niño childcare and educational center in La Romana.
The Café de la Leche may seem like a simple activity, and in fact it is! However, it is extremely important. According to Alessandra Avanzini, the milk and cereals donated by the ladies who regularly attend the Café de la Leche, cover more than 40% of the babies’ needs in the Hogar del Niño. How do they do this? Simple, it only takes them a few seconds to include milk and cereals in their karts at the supermarket and instead of donating money, they can literally provide milk for the little ones!
This event, which started in 2001 with only 15 ladies, today is one of the most popular events in Casa de Campo and La Romana with more than 50 ladies (and sometimes more than 100) meeting on the first Friday of each month, to have a cup of coffee, a couple of snacks and a great time together (and those who cannot assist, normally send their milk contributions as well!)
The last “Café de la Leche” took place on Wednesday the 3rd of November in Central Romana’s new “Centro Médico”. This was an excellent opportunity to enjoy a tour around the impressive and well equiped rooms and other departments of the new “Centro Médico” facility, led by Dr. Jose Lopez and his team.
Spanish
