Greetings!

We are looking for a local Bonairian or business to be the "drop off point" for items that Bonaire Talkers bring down for the Zuster Maria Hoppner Home. This would include taking donated items and delivering them to the home.

Many thanks in advance.

Cynde

Happy to do this, Cynde! But one possible problem. I don't have an off-road vehicle suitable for dirt or pebble roads. If the Home is on a paved road, then I'm in!

Tish, there is only one little area that is not paved, and it is quite flat and not very rutted.

Mare

Wow Tish, thanks! This would mean BT'ers coming by your home to drop items off, is that OK? If so, let us know the details and such. We can direct folks to contact you privately so you can give them the drop off info.

Thanks again! This is great because often folks can't get to the home, and they do prefer that items be dropped off locally then arranged to be dropped off.

Cynde

Cynde: When we are there in Feb and Mar we would like to visit and see what we can send from home to them. Who should I contact?
thank you
Beverly

Cynde, I am farther away from town than the Hoppner Home is, but if you mean folks can't get to the Home when staff are available to receive the donations, then I'm happy to be the drop-off point. I also can understand that the staff might want one drop off per month rather than a dozen.
But some folks like Beverly will still continue to want to visit with the boys. Visits from men will still be craved by the boys too. (Don't mean women are unwelcome, but father figures for boys play an important role too.)
I will go to the Hoppner Home after Tuesday night at Gibi's and check out the route.

Tish, that's what I mean. To drop things off at the home you need to call, make arrangements, etc. I know I always have my "translator" with me because most of the staff do not speak English, they speak Dutch or Paimpamento so it can be difficult. Plus, they do have a "routine" at the home and often it's not convenient to have visitors coming and going interrupting the routine.

I'm going to email Astrid today and see what would work best. I like the idea of a once a month delivery from you Tish, that way it would be consistent and not necessarily interrupt the routine.

One thing Beverly, the boys and staff LOVE KFC (first choice) and pizza. Last Oct. George and Laura DeSalvo bought KFC for the boys after the Klein swim, so a group of us took Rum Runners pizza (Pasa Bon is closed on Tuesdays) to the staff and boys. They LOVED it. We couldn't stay and eat with them because we were headed to Gibi's, so we chatted, took a bunch of silly pics with the boys, let them take silly pics of us and then left. Next time we are staying to eat with the boys. Anyway, that is also something nice you can do for them. You need to call the home to make the arrangements as to what night to deliver the food. It is nice because it gives the staff a break from cooking one more meal, and it's a nice treat for all of them.

Yes, Cynde, I had already been thinking about pizza and KFC.
Looks like I'd better learn Papiamentu!

Tish, Alan and I would love to take a meal to the home while we're there (arriving Feb. 5) Would you like to join us, and guide us there?

Josie

Hi, Josie!
Please contact me as soon as you arrive. Do you still have my phone number and e-mail address? I'm in the Bonaire 2005 phone book.
Tish

You all are the best When we brought in 4 or 5 pizzas (don't remember how many we bought) there eyes got as big as watermelons! They had enough to take to school the next day for "lunch" as leftovers, which, apperantly doesn't happen often

(Message edited by cyndelee on January 30, 2006)

(Message edited by cyndelee on January 30, 2006)

Tish -- I do still have your phone number and email, and I'll contact you when I'm there. I'll be there until March 15, Alan until March 1.

See you soon...
Josie

Tish is so right about them craving male attention. When Steve and I went snorkeling with them in Oct., they SWARMED around him, it was so cute. We have lots of pictures of the boys with Steve.

Please, folks, if you can spare a few hours, try to spend some time with the boys, they LOVE it.

I had no problems with translation at all either... Patty spoke great English, as did Hans, one of the group leaders. Two of the boys spoke enough English that we could communicate with them verbally. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I got 2 cards from David this week...so cute!

OK, need another SOS. Tish will collect the items but will not be able to deliver the items due to the condition of the small dirt road getting to the home. Is there a local that would be willing to pick the items up at Tish's, and then deliver them to the home when necessary. This will probably vary depending on when folks bring items down to the home.

We will be cooridnating this with Renee Langford, who runs the sponsor program. The staff is stretched constantly, and they are working on designating a "contact" for her, and sponsors when they come to the island. It is much easier for the staff to have other items dropped off somewhere, and then arranged to be delivered by someone at a time that works for the home. They really appreciate everything that we do, but they really can't accommodate a lot of visitors.

I'm hoping someone can help out with delivering the goods from Tish's. Obviously, I can deliver them when I take my things to the home next trip. If we can't find a local, maybe a regular BT'er or sponsor can do so.