The story of Leonida's new home in the Dominican Republic. Leonida is an 18 year old mother of 3 who was living in desperate situation. Two young girls Zoe (age 12) and Gemma (age 9) raised money to build her a new home. Thanks to many people who donated for this project.

1. A NEW HOME FOR
LEONIDA
March 2014-January 2015
A Dominican Starfish
Foundation Home
Make-over Project

2. We met Leonida in March of 2014 when Amarilis
and Louise were walking through the area where
her home was. They were looking for people with
great need. Leonida fit that description. At the
time she was 17 years old with 3 young children.

3. We created a presentation of
people who needed sponsors to
help build them a home.
Leonida was on this list.

4. Sponsors were found August 10th, 2014
when Zoe Palmer (age 12) and Gemma
Palmer (age 8) from Edmonton Alberta
decided that they wanted to raise
money to build a home for a family with
children in the Dominican Republic.
 Zoe and Gemma’s grandmother, Louise ZoBell is the
Executive Director of Dominican Starfish Foundation.
 Their parents Doug and Charlotte Palmer raised
money to build on of the first homes that were built by
the foundation which became a catalyst for the
building of many more homes by the foundation.
 Zoe and Gemma have set a huge goal to raise
money to build a home each year before they
graduate from high school.

5. FUNDRAISING PROJECTS
 Their project was posted online and feature for World
Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2014. That was a
great start! $2115 was donated that day.
 Zoe and Gemma took their ideas to their elementary
school. Teachers and others from the school donated.
 Their parents, Doug and Charlotte took information to
their places of employment. Many people there
generously donated and continue to donate to
Dominican Starfish Foundation Projects
 Zoe and Gemma with their parents hosted garage
sales, bottle drives and passed out flyers in the
community.
 A fundraising site on social networks was continuously
posted.

6. Since four of our sponsored families didn’t own
land, on October 3rd, 2014, Dominican Starfish
Foundation hosted a fundraiser in Stirling to help
purchase land for four families to build their homes.
Leonida’s family was one of those. The land we
purchased had the beginning of a house.

7. On October 19th, two months from
the day that fundraising was started,
Zoe and Gemma (with the help of so
many others) completed their goal
and construction began.

8. By October 29th when Louise
arrived in the Dominican, this is
what the home looked like.

9. By November 20th, most of the floor had
been poured and our friends Gloria,
Jeanne and Margaret helped paint.

10. Far away from the Dominican Republic
and far away from Edmonton, other
children were helping as well.
Garry and Janet Flake from Utah are serving in the
Dominican Republic for several years. Their children and
grandchildren from Utah worked together to raise money
to help furnish Leonida’s home.

11. In December the family visited their grandparents in the
Dominican Republic and were able to meet Leondia and
present her with gifts for her family. They were also able to
see her new home in progress. They presented our
director, Amarilis with money to furnish the home.

12. January 14, 2015, Zoe and Gemma
were able to meet Leonida for the
first time and see first hand the
conditions she was living in.

13. Then they were able to take her by
the hand (a most touching
moment) and lead her into her new
beautiful home.

14. Zoe and Gemma are pictured here
with Leonida and her children in
front of their new home.

15. The new stove and washing machine,
thank you to the Flake family for the
furnishings.

16. The New Beds

17. The girls were able to bring toys and
gifts donated by themselves and
others for the family

18. Doug Palmers words from a facebook post January 16th 2015:
My 9 year old daughter Gemma asked me what we had planned during
our last couple days here - I explained our schedule which included some
beach time - she asked if before we did any beach time we could go and
visit Leonida in her new home to check and see whether she had any food
for herself and her children. She has such a genuine love for Leonida and
her children - it melts my heart.
Zoe donated her $60 spending money
for her trip to the Dominican Republic to
buy food for Leonida and her children

19. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
WHO HELPED IN ANY WAY!
 Special thanks to:
 Zoe and Gemma for initiating the project and working
to accomplish their goal
 Doug and Charlotte Palmer (Zoe and Gemma’s
parents) for their support and encouragement and for
bringing the girls to the Dominican Republic to
experience first hand.
 The Flake family for donating furnishings for the home
and especially for the children working to help others.
 Jose Luis and Amarilis, our directors in the Dominican
who work continually to make the projects happen.
 All who have donated money, supplies and support.