Yeuri!

This boy has surprised me every time I’ve come back to DOVE. My first trip, I don’t think I heard one word from him. The second trip, I learned that he just needs time to get to know you before he opens up. Now, I can’t get him to stop talking! (in a good way) I’ve shared so many meaningful talks with Yeuri, about his family, his thoughts about the life he lives, what it means to be part of this club, and even future dreams. He’s very mature for his age and yet at the same time loves to play and is such a joker. And to top it all off, he’s one of the best in English class. He learns so quickly and is very keen on participating. Sometimes, he can get distracted easily, so he needs to be kept in place sometimes. But I have no doubt that he will take good care and responsibility for his family in the future. He’s a great basketball player and is Viviana’s older brother.

Leori!

Older brother to Ricardo and Leonardo, and eldest cousin of the Ventura clan, you can tell that Leori is a leader in his household. On a fieldtrip with the boys, he always had a watchful eye on his younger cousins. He works whatever odd jobs he can find to help his family (painting, moving, baking). He’s also quite the ladies’ man, once telling me that he was juggling five novias (girlfriends). He is so friendly and sociable, and oh so intelligent. But I have a feeling that because he’s so bright, he tends to get bored of some of the club classes. I’ve talked to him about the importance of attending and how knowledge is the key to a better future. His English speaking skills are also impressive and he would really benefit from more practice and studying.

Jose Carlos!

Jose Carlos, brother of Antony, is probably the brightest boy at DOVE. His attendance at school and club is great and he’s so well behaved. He’s very quiet and will rarely be the conversation starter, but what a change on the basketball field where his skills gain him respect and friends. He really wants to learn English, and is already capable of translating full paragraphs from Spanish to English or English to Spanish. Even his conversational skills have improved so much since I first met him; he’s able to understand simple English phrases and respond in full sentences. Not to mention he’s also a talented drawer and, though he won’t admit it, poet (I’ve see his secret notebook). When he grows up, he wants to be a chef.

Anoluis!

When I first met Anoluis last year, I thought he was one of the quietest boys in the club. Rarely smiled except a shy grin. But after 4 visits, wow have I been proven wrong. Though well behaved when in class with teachers, at his home, the park, or the basketball court, he’s as hyper as kids get! Chasing after you to play, screaming for your attention, and laughing hysterically at everything. I love his enthusiasm and energy so much. He’s also very bright, remembering almost all the English words you teach him (if you can get him to pay attention and listen to you, hahaha). His sister is Dalgeyri .

July - Leori!

Hola!

Wow, what a crazy summer we've had! It's July 16th and we can't believe where the time has gone! We have spent so much time in the club with the kids and since they aren't in school and we have more free time, we are able to do all sorts of extra things like taking them on more outings, going special places and having special celebrations.

Here is a picture of the entire Ventura family when one of the children had a special birthday celebration at their home. We love summer!

July - Mariely!

Wow!

What a wonderful summer we've had! And we aren't even halfway through July yet. We're so amazed at everything God has done thus far this summer in the life of the club, and we can't wait to see what else is in store. We've added more time at the club, being in session 5 days a week, the addition of new classes, more and more teachers, and volunteers from all over the place! The kids are loving spending so much time in the club and we're loving it even more:)

Here is a picture of Mariely just hanging out at the club one day, we're having a great summer season!

Happy summering to you and yours!

July - Anoluis

Hola!

Wow! This sumer has flown by and we have no idea where the time has gone! We've spent so much time in the club with the kids and we are all so happy to be together! The kids are loving the addition of more classes, new topics to go over, and more and more volunteers coming to the DR from all over! We're having a great summer!

Here is a picture of Anoluis just hanging out in the club one day. We love summer!

July - Yeuri!

Hola!
Wow! What an action packed summer it has been so far! We're shocked at how fast time is flying by, but we are so excited to be spending so much time with the kids! What a blessing this summer has already been, and we're only a month into to! We've added more time at the club, added more classes, added more teachers, and have added more volunteers from all over! We're so blessed to have the resources that we have and we can't wait to God to provide even more! Here is Yeuri just hanging out at the club one day, being silly! Happy summering to you and yours!

JoseCarlos - June!

Summer is already here...and quickly speeding by! We're shocked by how fast the summer has come is already halfway through but we're loving spending so much time at the club with the kids - and their having an even greater time! We've beeen doing so much this summer from being at the club all day, 5 days a week, to adding multiple new classes, to adding special trips to the pool for the kids once another successful week has come and gone - we're having a great time! Here is JoseCarlos having a good time at the club one day and showing off for the camera! We love summer! :)

June - Viviana!

This summer we've had lots of crazy stuff going on, and the kids are having so much fun! We've had groups of volunteers come for single days, volunteers comes and stay for months at a time, people come in for specific classes, all sorts of things! Here is a picture of Viviana just hanging out in the club one day after one of our classes, having a great time with her friends! We love summer and we're loving spending so much time together! Happy summering!