Medical Teams help earthquake victims

Island Impact Ministries, one of West Indies Real Estate's chosen charities, is working hard to help in the wake of the Haitian earthquake, sending in medical and food supplies to aid the survivors.  The charity's founders, Pastors Robert and Kelli Nelson from the United States, were missionaries in Haiti for many years.  Although their work is now mainly in the Dominican Republic, they still have a heart for the Haitian people and are doing what they can in the relief effort. 

If you would like to support their work, please click here.

West Indies Real Estate supports

Bebe Schultz handing over the donation to Gerhardt Mulder of CLINI-CLOWNS

In the weeks before Christmas, a lot of interest has been forthcoming about the launch of CLINI-CLOWNS. Bebe Schultz very kindly handed over a considerable donation from the sales made from baking. This was handed over to Gerhardt Mulder at the Jolly Roger restaurant in Sosúa.

Bebe knows of the incredible work done by CLINI-CLOWNS which was first introduced in Holland. She said she welcomed the idea as being so important to so many bedridden and hospitalized children, whilst taking up only a small amount of effort from volunteers to become a Clown for a visit.

"We desperately need your support to make sure this wonderful venture gets going as quickly as possible so we can brighten the days of these wonderful and needy children."

For more information as to how you can help CLINI-CLOWNS or perhaps become one of the volunteers, please contact Gerhardt Mulder on 829 978 5534.

Impressive facilities ready to set a new standard on the north coast of the Dominican Republic

Here are the impressive facilities and services offered at the new Centro Medico Cabarete, which opened its doors just recently to a highly delighted community and West Indies Real Estate team:

West Indies Real Estate congratulates Dr. Robert Spitale and his team for a magnificent achievement and wishes Centro Medico Cabarete every success.

West Indies Real Estate welcomes new Centre of Excellence on the North Coast

Full scale Model of the Set made by Set Designer - Bruce West

Production meetings well underway for the play WAIT UNTIL DARK due to be performed later this year in Sosua.

 Meetings got underway this week with the Producer, Director and Stage Director together with set and lighting designers and other members of the backstage crew.

The Theater Group which is supporting three Charities this year

Sosua Kids, Island Impact and the Animal Association of Sosua

is being assisted by the kind help of the Amhsamarina Hotel Group who are hosting the Play at their Casa Marina Reef Hotel Amphitheater.

Details of ticket sales will be posted shortly but for more information go to:

www.northcoastplayers.com or call Judith Fox-Hogg (Producer) at West Indies Real Estate on 809.571.2820

New Clinic Opens

  On 18th February, Island Impact opened its newest clinic, or  “Consultorio Popular”, in Cabarete’s La Cienaga community, home to about 7000 people. There is no health care facility there for the underprivileged.   The clinic building is a former boutique.  Remodeling and equipping the new clinic took about three weeks and about $5000.00 to complete.   The clinic has a waiting area outside under cover, an intake area inside, two fully equipped consultation rooms and a well-stocked pharmacy room.  The first days we opened were very busy.  A team of 16 people from Southampton, NY were there to help us inaugurate the clinic.  The press was also there as well as members of the Health Dept.  We have full permission from Dr. Wady Musa, the Puerta Plata Minister of Health to function as a “Consultorio Popular.”   Included on the church team were an American doctor with 36 yrs. of experience, and the manager and a nurse of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as other support staff.   The ministry also employs two talented Dominican doctors who helped the team during the opening days and now work there every Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2-6PM.  The main clinic in Marantha is open Tuesday and Thursday 2-6PM.   

During the week, Susy Cabrera, our Dominican administrator, organized a team of specialists from Santo Domingo who own equipment such as a sonogram and bone density machine to do a day of testing at the new clinic and a day in the Maranatha clinic. One woman who came for a breast exam was in much fear and apprehension because her mother died of breast cancer recently. She did not want to hear that she might have cancer herself, but eventually got up the nerve to be examined. Her results returned negative for cancer. Hearing the good news, she came out of the exam room in tears because she knew she would survive.   Other patients we examined did not get such good news when nodules or small tumors were discovered.  Fortunately, early detection is a major factor when it comes to cancer survival.  We referred the patients to specialists for further treatment.   It was amazing to see all this and the general consultations happening simultaneously in the new, little clinic which was just an empty building a few weeks prior. All this activity just confirmed for us the great need for a quality clinic in this poor neighborhood.

We returned to Florida on 24/2/09 exhausted but satisfied that what we intended to do, open the new clinic, was accomplished.  The La Cienega clinic opened again without us there on Tuesday 3/3/09 and the people came for their consultation, for which we charged each patient $60 RD.  We have lots of good medicine available in the pharmacy which is included in the consultation price. 

The Fundacion Island Impact Clinic in La Cienaga is located next to the Iglesia de Dios on the Calle Principal.  The main clinic in Maranatha is located on the Calle Principal next to the Iglesia Cristiana 7mo. Refugio.  Please stop by to see the good work going on supported by Dominican businesses such as West Indies Real Estate and Outback Safari.  To see pictures of the new clinic from the beginning go to the website  and follow the links on each page to see the progression updates.  If you care to donate to help us continue this medical ministry to the poor, there is a place on our website to do so.  

Thank you and may God bless you!

Rob & Kelli Nelson

Founders Island Impact Ministries   

Linda Stapleton and Fraidesmin Martinez tie the knot - Caribbean Style

Linda Stapleton, Personal Assistant to Judith Fox-Hogg and  West Indies Team member for the past three and a half years, married Fraidesmin Martinez on Saturday, 6th December.  The couple have been together for almost 4 years.

 The wedding took place at Tropicoco Restaurant in Cabarete and was attended by 24 guests plus the bride and groom.  It was a very international event with the following nationalities represented: Dominican, English, Canadian, American, Columbian, Scottish and Ukrainian.  The Blessing was given by Pastor Jeanne de Tellis of New Life Church in Sosua.

Some of the West Indies Team were there, enjoying themselves - see below.  Left to right, Judith Fox-Hogg and Paul Hogg, joint owners of West Indies Real Estate; Ludmila Esipova, Sales Agent, and friend Tatico; Kenia Velez, Receptionist and Administrative Assistant, and husband, Ruben.

The couple will take their honeymoon in January at Sun Resort and Spa, Cofresi.

Deadly Flash Flooding in Sosua

This morning, November 1st, 2008, we received a call from our clinic administrator, Susy Cabrera, crying that the entire communities of Villa Maranatha (where our clinic is located) and Sosua Abajo (where she lives)* were caught off guard by a RAGING FLASH FLOOD, some five feet high, yesterday afternoon!  There has never been flooding this extreme in this area.  She said the officials have reported 20 people DEAD.  One child, caught by surprise, was swept away by the river water in the street.

"Our clinic is a disaster" Susy said.  "We lost lots of medicines, our computers, refrigerator for medicines and vaccines, possibly our generator and other medical equipment.  I've never seen anything like it!"  At this point, we estimate damages to be at $3,500-$4,000. 

I (Rob) will return to the mission tomorrow to help get the clinic re-opened.  The thousands of people we regularly diagnose and treat at our clinic need our services now more than ever. 

If you would like to help please click here.

Thank you and may God bless you for standing with us during our time of trouble.

Rob, Kelli and Staff 

Island Impact Ministries

contact@islandimpact.net

Footnote:  These are predominantly poorer, Dominican areas where land is less expensive and families build their homes in areas which can be vulnerable, often close to rivers.  However, this flash flood was very rare and obviously devastating, also affecting homes a good distance from the river. 

Whilst the other areas of Sosua also suffered heavy rain for almost a week and the streets at the worst times were partially under water, the majority of properties remained well above water level. 

Sosua Kids Express Their Appreciation to West Indies

Parque Las Banderas (Flags Park) finally opens in Sosua

After over a year of work and traffic disruptions, this delightful little park was officially opened last Sunday by the Mayor of Sosua, Vladimir Céspedes.  It is located opposite Banco Popular on Calle Alejo Martinez, just a few minutes' walk from the West Indies Sosua Head Office.

Flags of Israel, Germany, UK, Russia, Spain, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ecuador and Dominican Republic were all hoisted, with the respective anthems of each country being played.  The Park is intended to celebrate the diverse population of Sosua and reflects the national pride of foreigners and Dominicans alike.
 

Veronica Decoto becomes Mrs. Diaz!

We wish them a lifetime of happiness together.

Veronica has been with West Indies Real Estate for three years.

British Residents on the North Coast enjoy the Ambassador's evening

Almost 100 people attended a "British Evening" in Sosua hosted by H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington OBE, at Sabatini's Restaurant on 11th July.

The event grew out of links forged last year as a result of a talk, organised by West Indies Real Estate, by the Ambassador on the work of the Embassy. 

We would like to thank the Ambassador, all the sponsors of the event and also give special recognition to James Read, who helped enormously with the perfect organisation, with superb support from the staff of Sosua Bay Hotel.

Early talks are already underway with the hope of organising another function on the north coast next year.  If you did not attend, or we may not have your e-mail address, please contact Linda Stapleton at l.stapleton@westindies-realestate.com and we will add you to our contact list.  If you have no e-mail, please let us have a telephone number.

 The Ambassador recommends that all British people living in the Dominican Republic should register with the Embassy in case of emergency.  It is now possible to do this easily online:  https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal/

Even if you have registered under the old system it is advisable to register again online.  This information is purely used in case of emergency.

The Dinner Club - Final Outing of the Season

As a finale to yet another Season of Monthly Dinner Club outings, the presence of the British Ambassador added to making this a very  successful evening.

Ian Worthington O.B.E., The British Ambassador joined 29 other members in a celebration of probably the most popular Expat groups on the north coast.

After a champagne reception, the party sat down to enjoy a first class meal at the excellent Bliss Restaurant, which once again lived up to the high reputation it has gained since it began.

James Read, the organiser of the Dinner Club, once again ensured that the whole evening went without a hiccup.

Many thanks to Jim and Carole for all their hard work.

H.M. British Ambassador, Mr. Ian Worthington, will be hosting a "British Evening" in Sosua on Friday, 11th July.  This follows on from a successful talk on the work of the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic, organised by West Indies Real Estate  in Sosua last year.

Invitations have been sent out to British residents whose contact details we have, but if anyone has been missed and would like to attend, please call into the West Indies office in Calle David Stern, the road leading down to Casa Marina Beach Hotel, and we will be happy to add you to the guest list. 

Alternatively, call Linda Stapleton on 809 571 2820 for further details.

Pastor George De Tellis passed away on 26th June after a long battle with cancer.  After many years as a missionary in Haiti, Pastor George came to Sosua with his wife, Jeanne, in 2000 to continue the work of New Missions.

They are probably best known in the area for the establishment of New Life School and Church in La Mulata and the large tent near Playa Chiquita, where services, clinics and classes are held.  They have also established several schools in areas where children would otherwise be too remote to receive an education. 

We honour his life and send our condolences to his wife and family.

If you would like to read more, Click Here

Once again the ladies meet for lunch and this time at the Waterfront Restaurant in Sosua.  Once a month a group get together without the men to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Organized by Carole Read, this very successful outing provides an ideal opportunity to get together and meet new and old friends.

The newest golf course on the north coast  of the Dominican Republic is coming along rapidly  as photos show. La Catalonia is destined to become one of the most exciting projects to date.

A ' Ponko ' designed course (creator of a range of renowned courses) will combine with lush indigenous landscaping and the natural contours of the hills, to create a challenging experience for all levels of golfer.

La Colonia will offer a world class hotel/leisure complex, 1000 luxury golf villas and 200 condos in an eco-friendly community.  Phase 1 is now firmly underway and shopping areas, restaurants, spa, beach club and hotel complex will be part of the second phase.  This is the vision of its Founder Juan Diego Vasquez.
 

Villas will be offered including landscaped lots and pools from $345,000. West Indies Real Estate will be offering these designs and others in both their website and overseas exhibitions in London and Canada, through their associate Company - West Indies Connections.

On Saturday 24 May the Asher Foundation will host a benefit evening from 7pm onwards in the Plaza Marina (located in the main street, Pedro Clisante, opposite the Banco Reserves). The Asher Foundation focuses on providing education for around 250 children who would not normally be allowed in school because they do not have the required documentation (birth certificate and ID card). These are usually children from Haitian families. The building in which the children are currently learning is far too small to cater for the huge increase in the number of pupils. The foundation would like to purchase another building that can be converted into a school. The committee hopes that the money raised during this benefit evening will be sufficient to put a down payment on a suitable building.
Everyone is invited to attend this benefit evening, and people in the audience are asked to give generously to this worthy cause. The schoolchildren will perform dance routines, pantomime, short plays and sing songs, and the Yesenia Martinez band will provide the musical backing.

An auction will be held at the end of the concert, where all kinds of products donated by various sponsors will be sold to the highest bidder.
Sponsors include: Compay José (directrice Virgin), Hotel Don Andres, artist Teddy Tejeda, Productos Sosúa, Supermercado Playero and many others.