The document summarizes the accomplishments of the Dominican Starfish Foundation in 2015, including completing construction of 8 homes and 3 more in progress, hosting dental clinics providing over 500 appointments, funding surgery to save a boy's foot from amputation, and distributing supplies to families affected by fire. It provides financial details, showing $178,368 in donations and over $14,000 in gifts. For 2016, it seeks sponsors to fund construction of homes for 6 families in need, describing each family's circumstances.
DSF 2015 Highlights Thank Donors for Helping Build Homes
1. DOMINICAN STARFISH FOUNDATION
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
THANK YOU
Thank you so much for your help with
our projects in the Dominican Republic
in 2015 . Our foundation is growing and
your donations have made a significant
difference to people and projects in the
Dominican Republic.
We started construction on a library
which will service two communities of
5000 people. The project will be
completed in 2016.
WITH YOUR HELP AND DONATIONS, THESE ARE
SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISMENTS IN 2015.
• We completed construction of 8 new homes. We are
currently working on 3 additional homes.
• With our sponsors and partners, we are in the fund-
raising process for an additional 6 homes.
• We took a large amount of uniforms and equipment to
baseball teams in the Dominican.
• We hosted AYUDA Humanitarian, a group of dentists
and their families who came in July and did over 500
complimentary dental appointments.
• We hosted another dental clinic in October with two
dentists and their families from Colorado.
• We raised money for a 13 year old to have a surgery to
save his foot. He was born with a condition where
circulation didn’t go to the end of his foot and was in
danger of amputation.
• We hosted pre-med students from the University of
Lethbridge where we held wellness clinics and did
other humanitarian activities.
• We assisted with clothing, food, household items and
hygiene kits to residents of the community of Munoz
where 63 families lost their homes to fire. We also
helped year-round in several other communities with
these same type of items.
• With help from many here in Canada we assembled
hundreds of baby packs which we delivered to the
hospital for new-born welcome gifts.
• We partnered with International Language Programs
(ILP) to bring volunteer teachers to the Dominican
Republic where hundreds of children will now have
the opportunity to learn English.
We partnered with
Hand in Hands at
www.handinhands.org
They literally bring
smiles to many people.
Lorren and Kari Lock
work with dental
technology and medical
assistance.
Thanks to faithful supporters, 2015 was an
amazing year for Dominican Starfish
Foundation. We received $178,368 in cash
donations plus over $14,000 in donations of
gifts of clothing, shoes, school supplies,
hygiene kits, and household items. All of
the work within the foundation is
volunteer. No one is paid. All of the travel
expenses are paid by the individuals
travelling. The majority of administration
expenses (mailings, brochures, newsletters)
were also donated by board members.
Dominican Starfish Foundation has a 9
member volunteer board.
72%
16%
4%
5% 3% Allocation of Donated Funds
Building Projects
Education
Food Packs
Emergency Medical
Administration
REGISTERED CHARITY 84958 1775 RR0001
2. Thank you so much to generous donors who have helped raise money to
build 29 homes in the Dominican Republic since April, 2013.
Dominican Starfish Foundation has chosen six new families for whom we
are seeking sponsors to raise money to build them a new home in 2016.
Bierka and her 3 young daughters, Jasmil, Adarleny, and Yamileiny, live
in Javillar. Bierka's husband passed away of a heart attack recently and
they need our help. She struggles to pay the rent and owning their own
home would allow her to give her children basic necessities like daily
meals. ILP employees raised money to buy a small piece of land.
David and Moré live in a tiny, tiny home about 9’ by 12’ in
Javillar. There is only one bedroom. They have 5 children.
The oldest girl lives with her grandmother because the family
doesn’t have room for her in their home. The father is a
fisherman.
Jasmin and her two children live in Javillar in a home that is
falling down. It is literally being held together by rags. The
mom does any little job she can find to feed and support her
children. The home is so dilapidated that we were afraid to
touch anything while inside. (This home has a sponsor!)
This young couple live in Javillar. They have not been able to have children. They
adopted the young boy that you see in the picture. His parents disappeared one
night leaving 8 children to fend for themselves. This couple adopted one of the
children and feed several of the siblings each day. They have managed to get a
small piece of land to build a small two bedroom home. They are working hard to
better their lives as well as helping others around them.
The cost of building a home in the Dominican Republic is about $9500 USD. If you
and your family/friends would like to sponsor one of these families, or help in some
way, please email for more information at dominicanstarfish@gmail.com
Gloria Vasquez is a 70 year old lady living in Javillar.
She lives in very poor conditions. She is caring for a 26 year
old daughter, Arelys, who has serious mental health
problems. She is also raising a grandchild—Junior, age 12.
She has no family assistance and no job. She shed many
tears at the thought that someone might really help her.
Francisca is a 63 year old lady who is nearly blind with glaucoma.
She lives in Javillar. For many years her home has been flooding
with every major rain. On her own she has hauled a massive
amount of fill into her home by wheel-barrow to raise the level of
the floor. We would like to help her get a concrete floor and a
bathroom in her home. (This home has a sponsor.)
We are looking forward to another great year of growth and service in
our foundation. Thanks to each of you for your support and donations!