The Pink House

Today we went to a orphanage for HIV/AIDS children called "The Pink House". We took a taxi out of the "Old City" into the less touristy parts of Santo Domingo, crossed the river and found ourselves watching the activities of the average Dominican through the car windows as we drove past.  It is certainly a very busy place with all sorts of economic activities being carried out from mechanic shops, fruit sellers, metal recycling, barbers, garbage sorting, and other things that you might expect to see on any street in Montreal with the exception that everything happens right on the street and that there is no seeming rhyme or reason to the organization of the businesses. Apparently, there were no town planners when the city was set up!

We arrived at the Pink House without event, but I have to say the taxi was quite modern and I used a seat belt for the first time while being here.  It felt good! 

The pink house is a refuge for the children of AIDS parents (specifically, mothers) who give them up for adoption because of their own circumstances. The "house" is actually a rather large compound which boasts its own dental clinic, medical examination room, school, library, basketball court, festival area, sleeping dorms, outside play area, computer room, etcetera.  It was build entirely from donations and is run with the help of the church, but there are paid employees who deal with the day to day operations. We brought a large hockey bag filled with gifts for the kids that was most graciously accepted.

I have no photos from inside the compound, as that is a strict rule.....children are not to be photographed under any circumstances. I took two shots of the outside before we left:

These pics should give you an idea of how large the place is - and it has to be as they care for 228 children at a time.  Architecturally, it is a very impressive structure with areas designed to give maximum light and airiness and a sense of being out side.  This is because the children stay in the building until they are 18 so as to protect them from the rough and tumble world outside the house. Attitudes regarding AIDS are improving, but it is tough in this environment to get a fair shake at life.  The children are hopfully adopted by people willing to take up the challenge of providing a decent life for the innocent in the hopes they can provide a stable home environment. A really impressive place!!!!