The Dominican Development group

c/o DaySpring ! P.O. Box 661 ! Ellenton, FL 34222

tel: 941-776-1018 ! fax: 941-776-2678 ! Email: DDGStevens@aol.com




Report: Sami & the Casa Rosada

(DR Trip, Feb 2007)



I went out to the Casa Rosada with Nelly Brito to see Sami again. We met with Sister Dolores the Director of Casa Rosada. Head teacher Sister Carmen, whom I met with last year was away on an errand but returned before I left.


 

Sister Dolores with Nelly Brito, Sami and friend Ana Teresa.

Sami looked to be doing fine. Although a little overweight, Sami always looks good. From looking at her you wouldn’t know she is mentally handicapped. Sami still has a hard time remembering what she learned yesterday. Sister Dolores said that in Sami’s special school she will take a whole semester of vocational aptitude tests to try to find something she can do for when she “graduates” from Casa Rosada. And, Sister Dolores said they are putting aside a little bit each month from Sami’s support so that she will have some resources when she leaves Casa Rosada, hopefully to set up a small business for that time.


Sami has an uncle in the Santo Domingo area who comes out to see her every now and then, and sometimes takes her to spend the weekend with his family. Sami’s was born on March 14, 1993 so that makes her fourteen years old now.


 

 

Sister Carmen, Nelly and Sami with some of Sami’s friends.

Sami’s friend who goes with her to school is Ana Teresa natera Duran. She was born on Oct 28, 1998. She does not appear to be as retarded as Sami. Two other friends, Maria Rosa and Maria also go to the same school.


The Casa Rosada holds a birthday party the last Saturday of each month for all the children born in that month. When a patron contributes a little extra they purchase a birthday cake to be shared with all 50 children of the Casa Rosada.