LETTER WRITING
If you're writing a Christmas card to your child in the Dominican Republic, here are some things to remember:
- Compassion projects in the Dominican Republic celebrate Christmas by performing shows with clowns and pantomime and by taking children on special field trips. The children also reenact the birth of Christ and sing Dominican-style Christmas carols. The projects are decorated for the occasion, and a special Christmas meal is prepared for the children, consisting of traditional dishes of roast pig, pasteles en hoja (a very popular dish made of bananas pastry stuffed with meat and wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled), a wide variety of Christmas candies, and fruit. The children also have a gift exchange.
- Special holiday meals feature herb-seasoned rice, pigeon peas, seasoned pork and tamales. Rounding out the menu is festive bread available only at Christmas.
Write your child a letter.
GIFT GIVING
Child Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child in the Dominican Republic:
$10 and under: baseball, baseball bat, doll, Ping Pong, play kitchen set, set of jacks, toy, ball (basketball, volleyball or football), books, blouse, chicken, lamp, pair of socks, shirt
$25 and under: bed sheets (complete set), pants, school books, shoes, skateboard, small bicycle
Give your child a gift.
Family Gifts
Below are some examples of what a monetary gift can purchase for your child's family in the Dominican Republic:
$75 and under: bicycle (new and used), blender, fan, toaster
$200 and under: goat, mattress (full size), sewing machine (used), stove, washing machine
Income-generating ideas within the family gift limit of $300 are:
- Fixing electrical items
- Operating a beauty parlor
- Sewing
- Street vending of candies, cakes, fruits, rolls, ice cream, milk, etc.
Give a family gift.
Learn more about your child's country.
