AGORA XXI: BLOG OF THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT PAUL

OPENING OF THE DIVINE MERCY CHILDREN’S CENTER, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In January we inaugurated the new Divine Mercy Children’s Center in the community called “El Alto de Ganadero.” It serves 50 children aged 2 to 5.  Before this center, we ran the service out of a small building that belonged to the local community, where we served 35 children a day.  However, the conditions were far from ideal, such that it was necessary to obtain a place that was more suitable for the center.

The new building was built thanks to the generous collaboration of many people, but especially of group of Dominicans that reside in the United States.  The Missionaries of the Divine Mercy, who return annually to their native country to see their families and to promote evangelization in small communities, decided to back this beautiful initiative in one of the poorest places within La Sagrada Familia Parish.  We wish to thank them for their solidarity and dedication to their fellow Dominicans.

The center now provides the children with education, nutrition and medical care.  It will work in coordination with other local organizations in order to give an integral service to the children and also to offer training to their parents.  This center is part of the program to provide nutrition and care to children that the Community of Saint Paul has been developing in the region since 2003. 

The inauguration of the center was a lively party which, in addition to the families and children, the district mayor also attended.  A group of clowns provided entertainment, and both the children and adults ended up dancing to their songs.