Ernesto is a young father who starting building a home for his family 12 years ago.  When we met him in 2018 his home was only at this point after working for 6 years.  

Dominican Starfish Foundation helped raise some funds for the roof and for two bedrooms so that they could move in, in 2019.  

This was just some assistance.  We didn't have funds to help him finish and our team didn't do the work as it was far out in the country.  Unfortunately the work was not done well and was unfinished.  Yesterday we got an SOS call.  

We sent our master of construction to check.  He found the cement roof ready to collapse on the family because it wasn't built properly.  

That is the most desperate situation.  It is an emergency for the safety of the family.  

Here is their story as told by one of their neighbors who reached out to us for help.  Thank you Alise for letting us know.  

With many days of torrential rains and flooding in the Dominican Republic Ernesto and Jular, young parents of 3 boys have experienced hardship with their incomplete and leaky home. They have been more than 12 years in the process of finishing it.

Ernesto, once working in a hotel as a waiter,  was fired unfairly without severance. As he could not find work immediately, unfortunately he had to borrow money to survive and support his family.

Now Ernesto is away from his family working hard 10 months of the year on a cruise ship while Jular is trying her best to take care of the boys, the house and make a bit of money by working at a lottery bank on the weekends and giving a few ladies hairdos in the house.

The water is filtering through the ceilings and floors in many rooms causing more damage as they have no windows or doors in parts of the home. 

They do not have any way to finish or fix these issues financially. Not everyone shares or knows the discomfort of living in these poor conditions and only having food with help from a family farm. Sometimes life throughs curve balls at us in ways that we need help. If you or someone you know who can help this humble little family, Please do so. Your donation of what ever amount you can help with would be very much appreciated. Blessings."

This is a photo of Ernesto when we were helping his family during Covid and before he left to go work on the cruise ships. 

The cost to finish the home has been quoted as approximately $11,000 but we are planning to do what is most important first and that is to fix the roof--cost $2500 to $3000.  

We ask you to please help if you can.  Any amount is so greatly appreciated!!  Your donation will qualify for a tax receipt in both the USA and Canada.  Thanks to all of our donors!