MSC archived stories - June 8, 2019
Nelson, the first child to join my CI family from the pearl of the Caribbean – the D.R.
One thing I noticed in his past annual photos that there is a gap between 2016 and 2018 since his enrollment in 2014 (age 4). I've never seen this before, so wonder whether he was living outside the community during this time and readmitted to the program this year – is this a possibility?
Also, you may know that CI exited Chile operations in 2014 due to improved living standards in the country. And I see similar trend in the DR with the largest growth economy of any country in North and South America. [youtu.be/AkBC09sag3w]
I hope you are right about the improvements in the economy, chelaka. However, there still seems to be a great divide between the rich and poor there. My little Samuel in the DR had some of the worst living conditions of all my sponsored kids, with no electricity or running water. But I would love to see things improve for these children!
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
My guess would be that Ecuador and Mexico are relatively better off CI countries, though I’m sure there are sponsors with different experiences. The family incomes of the children I sponsor in the DR are $148, 188 and 200, and they have remained the same for many years. They are lower than for some of the Indian families. Each child also has either non-regulated electricity or no running water at home. Hopefully this will change for all families in the country.
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
I've slightly changed the title to reflect the discussion here on wealth divide between the rich and the poor. The best account of what's happening on the ground is from the firsthand experiences of sponsor visits. Nelson is the youngest in a family of 4 – father being a bricklayer and mother a vendor with monthly income of $150, but gone off the CI radar for the last 3yrs seems to suggest that seeking opportunities elsewhere in the country.. (usually CI have at least 1 photo if not more taken of the child annually, but has anyone seen a gap?)
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
When CI exited Chile, they presented it as being due to an overlap with the government now meeting the same needs of the poor that CI was meeting. Poverty still existed. I remember the extensive fires that wiped out hillside shanty towns above Valparaiso including many sponsored families’ homes, during the same period of time. With growth in the economy of the DR, I wonder if the government or beneficiaries of economic growth will begin to meet needs of those in poverty(electricity, water, etc.). (Edit: I have not ever experienced the gap you mention.)
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
Thanks Liza. For info, the reasoning for CI leaving Chile is outlined in more details – [children.org/es/archive/orphan-content/chile]
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
As for the DR, according to the World Bank latest report, the country is improving the delivery of services for the poor, aiming to reduce the rich/poor gap. [worldbank.org/en/country/dominicanrepublic/overview]
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
What interested me was that after 3yrs away (presumably), how Nelson got right back in the program activities wearing CI branded shirt – could this be a realization of how important the program is for his future?
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
Thank you and I didn't know that other countries were aiming to help the poor communities. I hope that countries will continue to help those in need, but sometimes people do have to travel for work. Jenifer's father lives and works away from the family in another city, but goes home whenever he can. He also gives money when he can which I assume is why they have running water in the house and maybe because CI has been helping them out when needed. I also noticed that Jenifer is wearing either the same and/or similar outfit to one from the past, so I'm guessing that they do not have a lot of money. I will send an EG when I have the chance, but right now things are kind of tight for me too. Sending letters is free so that is probably why I send so many letters, but I am working on not writing so much. The children that wear the company's t-shirt are the ones who probably cannot afford to buy new and/or clean clothes for their photographs, but I am glad they are given an outfit to wear. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
Chelaka, Thanks for the link with an abundance of information!
ReplyDeleteJune 9, 2019
In reality, what happened was in 2015 we asked all agencies to not update FRs or photos for Awaiting Benefits children. There was no need because we were focusing all our allocations on children already receiving benefits but who didn’t have a sponsor (subsidized by the general fund). Beginning late last year, we started registering new children again, AND many agencies also started updating records (FRs and Photos) for those children awaiting benefits. Nelson was one of those kids, he was enrolled in 2014 and got his first sponsor (Chelaka) in 2019. Since he was not yet participating in any programs when his photo was taken, he's just one of those kids who the staff lent a shirt to. Not as interesting as Chelaka's theory, but reality usually isn't :-)
ReplyDeleteJune 11, 2019
I'm surprised!! I knew that a child will continue to receive benefits following departure of a sponsor, but did not know that benefits actually don't start to kick in until found their first sponsor. Nelson waited 5yrs to find me and to receive benefits, including participation in CI programs – is that right? If so, I'd be honored to be his first sponsor and found him in that shirt! Before he graduates, the wealth gap in the DR will be narrower than it's today, so he should be able to crossover to the other side comfortably. As ever, many thanks for enlightening us with the reality!
ReplyDeleteJune 11, 2019
My hearty congratulations to you both! Never having had a sponsor you will be his model for learning all about what it means to be sponsored. I think; both you and he are very lucky.
ReplyDeleteJune 11, 2019
I'm so glad chelaka found this adorable little guy so he could start receiving CI benefits. How hard it must be to wait that long to get in. Congrats to you both!
ReplyDeleteJune 11, 2019
Yes, Chelaka kids can be registered for our program but do not begin receiving benefits until we have received a first donation for them. So, we just told the SOA staff last month to begin giving benefits to Nelson.
ReplyDeleteJune 12, 2019
Sorry.. I was not able to return to the forum since last Wednesday to thank you all for your beautiful thoughts about Nelson. I met with an unexpected situation by loss of my dearest child, Estephanie moving out of the sponsorship area! I’m expecting more details of what has happened.
ReplyDeleteJune 15, 2019
I also remembered that people had been asking CI if they could put a gap between updated photos and/or the CI Family Report, so I think this is why there is time between these things.
ReplyDeleteJune 15, 2019
The DR is an interesting situation. When I was there in 2014, the government had built decent apartment housing for families living in "slums," but many moved back because the government paid no attention to ensuring transportation access to jobs or keeping neighbors together, so you could have decent housing, but your job was at risk due to difficult transportation or the person who watched your kids was on the other side of town. At the time, the people still living in the flood plain by the river were at risk of the government bulldozing their home at any time because they were illegally squatting now that they had housing. I have no idea what came of that situation though
ReplyDeleteJune 16, 2019