Melia's Birthday

Yesterday was Melia's birthday. Melia is one of Paul and Marcie Cooper's children. They are fellow Kids Alive missionaries that I had lived next to until a couple weeks ago. Paul works with me at Anija (he's my boss) and Melia is in first grade there. I've loved getting to know them, play with and babysit their kids, eat dinner with them, call them for a helping hand, having good conversations with Marcie, and so much more.

I took Melia for ice cream after school.

Melia invited the girls from her first grade class (and me!) to her birthday party.

The Coopers also have a little pool which was so fun for the kids to play in. A Dominican tradition is to dump water on the birthday person so they were chasing and splashing Melia in the pool.

Luisanna didn't bring her swimsuit so we stayed inside and colored. She is so sweet and well-mannered!

The party was fairy-themed. They played a cute game which ended with them all dressed up! Overall, I think Melia had a very fun day. :)

Yescauly

This week I took Yescauly home after Awana.

We colored with her little cousins :)

Library Class with the First Graders

"De Paseo Por La Selva"

Future Anija Students?

Here are some more pictures of kids we visited as we continue our search for future Anija students!

Lindsey (above) already attends Anija, we were visiting her little sister (below).

This little girl's sister also attends Anija already. It's cool to hear what a difference families can see in kids who attend Anija compared to a public school.

One of the things we look for when talking with the family of a potential student is if they really can't afford to pay for school. In this case, the mother asked, "If my child doesn't get a scholarship, can I pay for my child to attend Anija?"

She was a cutie whose older sister already attends Anija as well. She just wanted to go outside and buy an ice cream.

And this guys sister also already goes to Anija. I don't think he'll end up coming to Anija as his dad told us that they are probably heading back to Haiti in July.

Very Random Pictures of the Week

Here are some very random, not sure if they are even worth putting them on my blog, pictures.

Unfortunately I've almost stepped on my lizard friend a couple times this week. :-/

Playing a nice, friendly game at Awana...

which unfortunately did not end so well for everyone. The girl in the white shirt, Kenyely, ended up taking a big fall along with 3 or 4 other kids. Her face and upper lip were cut up so badly that she stayed home from school for 2 days! I went to visit her Wednesday and gave her some 'hello kitty' band-aids which she enjoyed.

What is it you may ask?

Some yucky looking worm chilling out on the wall!

Potential Anija Students!

Here are some more pictures from visiting families who applied for a scholarship for their child at Anija. These kids would be entering our preschool class next year.

It poured on us once we left visiting this little girl. I guess it's bad that's the thing I remember...

I think he was woken up from his nap, whoops!

This little girl was being really shy about taking a picture so we tried to trick her to coming out. We said that I would take a picture of her baby picture instead...

This little guy had been playing with his cute puppy!

Sponsorship

The kids usually write a card to respond to a letter or to say thank you for a little gift their sponsor sent. We also send welcome cards to new sponsors.

A lot of times the kids ask me if they can write to their sponsors just because.:)

Thank you cards

Welcome cards