I’ve always wanted to do something for the community, something that will have a positive effect for others. So that’s why when the opportunity to do some community service at the Hogar Del Niño came, I signed up immediately.
My class (the whole of the 12th grade from the Abraham Lincoln school) , Mr. Coulby, Ms. Donnelly and I went to the Hogar del Niño to take a general tour, so we can familiarize ourselves with the premises and have a general outlook of the Hogar del Niño, before we begin our work there.
As you enter the premises, you can see that everything is organized and systemized into a child-friendly environment. The first thing you see is the Award Stand, where they place all the trophies they’ve won. At the left is the dental office, where they make sure that all the children have good dental care.
A few steps from the main entrance you can see the maternal area, which has the rooms where they teach the basic subjects to small children. At the right you’ll see the dining area, where everything is clean and organized in order to ensure teh kids get healthy and appetizing meals everyday. They have three meals; breakfast, lunch and a snack in the middle of the afternoon.
Upstairs is the area where they keep the babies. My first impression was shock – I’ve never seen so many baby cribs in one room!! In this area they take care and feed the babies from 2 months old until they are ready for the maternal courses.They have a small space where they put the older babies to play or watch TV. They looked so happy when they played some music, every kid started to move and clap their hands – it was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
Downstairs, in the back side they have the beauty area, where they teach the basics on cosmetology and they even have a beauty parlor!! Next to this room you can find the handicapped class, where the kids even though they lack of hearing and talking skills welcome you with a broad smile, which warms up your heart in an inexplicable way.
After that we went to see where the high school is, they had to open the classes in two different schedules; one in the morning and one in the afternoon, due to the great amount of students willing to have an education. At the end of this area is the library. I was amazed at the variety of books and videos that they have. I am a book lover, and when I saw all of those books, in English and Spanish I knew that this was my place.
On my way out I felt great, knowing that I was going to make a small difference in the world. Educating children and preparing them for their future. Since they are our future they need the care, hospitality, love and education which the Hogar Del Niño offers.
This is the first in a series of articles I plan to write about my experiences at the Hogar del Niño, I hope you will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing about them and if I inspire you to visit the Hogar del Niño, do not hesitate to contact us, so that we can help you arrange a visit.
Email: info@casadecampoliving.com
This article was contributed by Michelle Bermudez and the photos were contributed by Elizabeth Silfa – both Casa de Campo Living Interns!
To visit the Hogar del Nino, find out more or make a donation, their contact information is:
The Abraham Lincoln School, located within Central Romana, in the town of La Romana, is a private school for the children of employees of the Central Romana Corporation, but is also attended by other children who pay yearly tuition fees.
Inglés
