MISSION:
Casa Hogar Santo Domingo
WHO
WE ARE :
In
the years 1978-85,
the war raged in Guatemala, strongly affecting Izabal and Peten.
During
this time,
many
families were destroyed
by the killings
and kidnapping en masse. Those
who
could,
migrated
to nearby villages and countries, or took
refuge in the interior
of the surrounding
rain forest. Many
children were abandoned (orphaned because their parents had been killed). Many
women were widowed, alone with their children. It
was in this period that
we asked ourselves this question
- How can
we help
these children and surviving widows?
The
Diocesan Dispensary Dominican Sisters
came up with the idea of providing
food,
clothing, accommodation in central area, creating jobs, counseling, etc.
to all of those who were effected.
For
the
girls
who had been abandoned, the doors of the Santo Domingo Convent were opened, to
give them food and temporary shelter. Caritas collaborated on this project
nationwide. With
great difficulty,
they
bundled
up the
girls ranging from approximately
0-5 years. The
convent did not have the ability
of housing
the girls as needed
in the beginning,
but with the financial contributions
of many foreign friends, the
construction of modules;
capable of bedrooms, bathrooms, study, kitchen, dining room, pantry, etc., was
then possible.
This
is how
Casa
Hogar Santo Domingo
was established
on August 23, 1981.
Some
of the abandoned
girls were
reunited with their families years
later after the war, while
others remained at home, because they had no family, or to complete their
academic studies and cultural resources, economy, household and other activities
for the future,
so they would
be
good mothers, wives, and citizens with
Christian
values.
The
home was initially declared temporary officer only during the post-war, after
which it became necessary to continue it's operation, due to other causes:
abandonment by the parents, or mothers and grandparents are left with few
resources, immigration, domestic violence, etc..
Currently,
38 girls
live
at the orphanage,
mostly
ranging
from 3-17
years old. In some cases, however, the girls are 18 years of age or older, because they have not finished their
studies or have nowhere to else to go.
MISSION:
The Missionary
Dominican Sisters Congregation of San Sisto works in education, health, and
evangelism, in
parallel to development of the individual spiritual growth for the projected future
in society.
VISION:
The
Santo Domingo group home, create a family atmosphere, forming healthy physically
and spiritually infused confidence in herself and in God providing, shelter,
education, comprehensive training, stimulate and motivate citizens to become
sensitive, caring and responsible.
Casa Hogar Santo Domingo was established as the body designated to cooperate with
solving
the problems of girls who suffer from rape and/or physical abuse, mainly for the
following:
· Educating
girls in the whole process of person
· Help
discover their physical, intellectual and emotional
· Assist
affected children from psychological disorders, which could affect their mental
development
· Promote
ethical and transcendent of the individual, which give meaning to his life
· Educate in
equal rights between people
· Rejection
of all forms of discrimination
· Mutual
Respect
· Promote family values, love and respect for their parents, grandparents and
uncles
· Encourage personal values: happiness, respect, solidarity, justice,
responsibility, loyalty, self, truth and tolerance
· Install
in them the values
that relate
to our relationship with God: the value of prayer, piety, the faith placed in
God alone and are motivated to live and to be guided only under the gaze of God
· Encourage patriotic and cultural values, respect for the traditions of our
ancestors
Lines
of action
a. - To
provide education, care, and appropriate nourishment
for the girls' well-being.
- Provide
environmental education where girls are active participants, learn to credit,
recognize, encourage and enhance their personal capabilities.
-
Develop meaningful learning experiences according to their stage of development
of girls
-
Promote the personal and communal encounter
b. -
Girls active with suggestions for work, happy, curious, creative identity,
security, interest in learning about their environment
-
Girls that are integrated with each other, with more knowledge in education and
faith
-
Solidarity among them
-
Girls with ability to
organize
-
Girls aware of
their own history, accepting mature
-
Girls open to the world that surround them with futuristic mind
c. -
To evaluate physical growth and psychomotor
-
Medical check quarterly or as needed (pediatrics, gynecologist, dentist,
ophthalmologist, neurologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, general practitioner.
-
Assessment with the psychologist every two months, individual and group therapy
ACTIVITIES:
· Spiritual
· Recreation
· Cultural
HOW
TO HELP ...
1. Monthly
donation: Q 200.00 Contribution to provide nourishment and schooling of the child.
2. Annual
donation: A
single financial contribution for the year.
3.
Supplies needed:
filler
food, clothing, shoes, shampoo, bath soap, toothpaste, toilet
paper, deodorant, sanitary towels, cleaning supplies, bleach, clothing detergent,
towels for mopping, etc.)
"There
is more happiness in
giving than in receiving "
Hermanas Dominicas de San Sixto
Vicariato Apostolico de Peten
6a avenida 5-30, Zona 1
17029 Santa Elena de la Cruz, Peten, Guatemala
Centro America
Telephone - (502) 7926 0250
Email - (Sor Marcella Scannu) - sormarcellascannu@yahoo.es