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 2006)

Sami

Along with Nelly Brito (who first found Sami some seven years ago in the city of San Francisco de  Macoris) I visited Sami and the Casa Rosada on Thursday Feb. 9. Sami almost clung to Nelly the whole time we were there, for, I would guess that Nelly is the closest thing she has to "family". Sami is now 13 years old, and is developing physically into a young lady. She is short (under 5 feet) and little overweight. Sami appeared to be moderately mentally retarded. Sister Carmen said she talks ok but has difficulty learning. I saw one of her school workbooks which showed her work at an early primary grade level. Sister Carmen also said she couldn't learn to play the flute nor use the computer except to turn it on and off.

The Casa Rosada

The Casa Rosada is just off the extension of Avenida Venezuela. Sister Carmen spent the whole hour with us as well as attended her duties. The three sisters have build Casa Rosada based on "public charity" with some help from a couple influential Dominicans. The primary focus in on health (AIDS medications and other medications needed by children with AIDS) and education. They give instruction in Casa Rosa as well as physical education, music instruction (I saw a flute class) and computer instruction. There are 50 children in Casa Rosa from infants to teens up to about 16 years old. An 18-year old graduated last year.

Last year in April they started receiving AIDS medications from a government agency (CORPRESA) which in turn receives the medications (or funds for them) from the Clinton Foundation. This has relieved Casa Rosada's budget constraints considerably. Besides the three sisters they employ (or have assigned to them by the government) two teachers, two nurses, a social worker, a child psychologist, and a maintenance and cleaning persons. Various volunteers also work with the Casa Rosada. Physically the Casa Rosada is a very fine facility which was designed specifically for their work, after a several year campaign to raise funds to build the facility. The Casa Rosada also has a flea market the profits of which go one-half to support the Casa Rosada and one-half for social work in the neighborhood.

Update on Sami (Isamar Paulino)

February / April 2002

(Bob Stevens)

Sami (Isamar) born in 1994, originally from the city of San Francisco de   Macoris, has lived for the last year or so in Santo Domingo at the Mari Loli home for children with AIDS. However, Mari Loli now focuses on AIDS education, and doesn't keep children. Consequently Sami has been transferred (Sept. 2001) to another home for children with AIDS.

In February, missionary Bob Snow went out and visited Sami in her new home. Bob was quite impressed with Sami's new residence, saying it is a wonderful program in a home run by Roman Catholic sisters who are Avery organized. However, for the medicine therapy Sami now needs, the monthly cost comes to approximately $470 per month (or 8000 Dominican pesos). Previously the ECW programs had supported Sami with $250 per month. When there are no funds, the care continues in her new home, however, she does not receive the needed medicines.

I visited some with Nelly Brito on my April trip to the DR. Nelly is the founder, along with her husband, Fr. Napoleon Brito, of shelter El Bueno Samaritano in San Francisco de Macoris. Nelly is the person who originally found Sami, and through Bishop Holguin and Jackie Robe, brought her to the attention of the SWFL ECW, which ended supporting her for the last several years. By the way, Nelly indicated that Sami is a nickname sometimes used for Isamar. Nelly went out and saw Sami recently, and reported that Sami appears to be doing a fine as can be expected. Nelly seemed very pleased to say that Sami looks good, appears healthy, and has continued to grow physically.

Isamar Paulino (Sami)

(Original Description)

Sami was infected with AIDS when she was born in 1994. She and her younger brother, Joel, who was not born with AIDS, live with their aunt, Josefa Francisco, for no other family member wanted to have them. Both Sami and Joel are students in the El Buen Samaritano (The Good Samaritan) shelter/orphanage founded by Nelly Brito and her husband, Fr. Napoleon Brito. Nelly periodically takes Sami to see a specialist in Santo Domingo, and, with the help from the ECW of SWFL, helps her follow strict dietary and medical procedures. Nelly would like to place Sami in a specialized care facility in Santo Domingo but Sami's Aunt does not want to do so.

Sami's father was infected with the HIV virus when he was a member of a gang in the very poor barrio, ACaminos Vecinales@ in San Francisco de  Macoris, where he contracted that disease from prostitutes. He died two years ago in 1997 at the age of 32. Sami's mother was infected by her husband, and died seven months later at 24 years old. She had three children:

Isamar (Sami), 5 years old, was born infected with HIV.

Joel, 4 years old, does not have HIV.

A younger sister, born infected with HIV, who died at three months of age.