We will be in Bonaire from 9/11-9/18/05. It will be our sixth trip. We love the island and people and would like to give something back. We would appreciate a current email address and/or list of priority needs for the Maria Hoppner Foundation. We were given an email address for Elly Albers in the past, but were never able to connect. The web site does not look like it has been updated for several years. Thank you.

Tim, Elly is no longer at the home. Astrid is the new director. I'm currently trying to get an updated list from the home. Once I get it I will post it here. Hopefully I will have it in the next week. I sent out the "mayday" message last week about the childrens needs.

There is also another youth group that appears to be in need for an after school program. Here is the link:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/236290.html?1124972271

Thanks for thinking of the children on Bonaire!

We're packing our bags...any news from Astrid? Thanks.

Hi Tim,

Last word I recieved was not much. I do know that the boys need bedding (single sheets, cool colors), art supplies (be creative), school supplies such as markers, paper...toothbrushes and toothpaste that are "cool." Decorations for holidays is also always good.

We are still trying to get ahold of them to get more specifics.

This group needs things:
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/236290.html?1124972271

Here is the contact page for the Hoppner Boys, try calling but you need to ask if they speak English when they answer.

http://www.infobonaire.com/hoppnerfoundation/contact_us.html

Currently, we (Renee) and I are trying to find someone who is willing to let folks drop off donations to the boys, and then take them to the home.

Please hang in there with what info we currently have folks! The boys need you!

Hi Cynde -

Just wanted to let you know that we were able to take some things during our trip. School/art supplies, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and some peanut butter too. We tried all week to contact the school, but no one ever answered the phone. But a lady at Sand Dollar knew the former director and she got us directions. So we stopped by on Sunday morning and made a delivery. We found some boys and they took us to one of the staff members; she seemed very surprised and did not speak much English. But it was great to see the home and a few of the boys.

Do you know if they ever look for adoptive parents for any of the children? If so, how would we find out more? Thanks.

Tim, thank you for thinking of the boys and taking things to them. They do have a new director, and information in and out of the home seems to be a bit more "scetchy." I plan on going to the home in October, and getting more information, and hopefully get a contact point for folks to drop stuff off for the boys.

OK, thanks. Please ask the new director if they ever look for adoptive parents. We have been exploring international adoption for some time, but we love the island and people of Bonaire, so that would be our first choice if it is an option.

Tim, will do. I'll also point Renee who runs the sponsor program to this thread

any additional news regarding Maria-Hoppner?

Hi Tim, not yet. I've emailed someone else at the home. I'm not sure any of the boys are up for "adoption" as they have homes on Bonaire, but they have been taken out of the homes by the government (kind of like CPS in the states)....

Tim, in that respect the Hopper House is more like a foster home than an orphanage. I would assume that non-residents wouldn't be able to adopt from the home, even if only because the boys don't speak English - or at least not well. Bonaire is their home. I could be wrong about that, but it seems that was told to me, but of course I don't remember who told me that. Maybe someone will chime in and correct me or add some additonal information. The boy we sponsor will likely be in the Hoppner House until he is 18, he has no local family. It would be great to bring him home with us but I feel he is better served by us just being good sponsors and making sure he has everything he needs. And of course a few "wants" as well..... lol... okay, MORE than a few !!!

hello all of you,
I work at Hoppner. And we are not an orphanage, but more like a foster home. We get children whose parents aren't able to take care of them. It's all kind of problems, like being single parent, alcohol-drug abuse, inability of being a parent. We get the children at all kind of ages, there placed by us by a judge, who puts the parent out of temporarily custody. Because most of the kids haven't been brought up with love, care but also structure and rules . We are re-educating them norms and values, and that's a big challenge!! But a nice job it is!
Each kid is unique and has a different background. Some of them are temporarily with us, some of them for longer. But we want to keep them in contact with their families, sometimes we have a good ending and a kid can live with an other family-member, like a grandfather or an auntie! That's the best ofcourse!

I can go on and on about my work!
Lately some BT'ers have been very generous in donating us all kinds of stuff! like pens/pencils/markers, craftmaterials and also toothpaste etc...
THANK YOU!!!

I'll quickly make a new up to date list! Some how I want to do something special for all the workers there with Christmas, but don't know what since we don't have any finances for that. Any ideas??

Don't worry, the kids will have a wonderful Christmas, Thank God to our sponser-programm, all kids will have a nice christmas-gift!!

Patty, thanks for popping in and sharing For the workers, what are you thinking about, a party, or indivdual gifts for them? BT is a great place and I'm sure that everyone will come together and make Christmas for the workers special too! What a GREAT idea Patty!

I totally support the idea of recognizing the staff at MH in some special way. From my experience they are very special people to work such a demamding job and they put their hearts into it. They are there for the boys who truelly need them. One of my best experiences on Bonaire was snorkeling with Patty and the boys some time ago. And I could see the deep care Patty feels for the boys. Then when the staff goes home and care for family and friends.... They must have very big hearts!!! Let's think on this one, there must be a good idea among us somewhere.
:-) Denise

Hi, Patty ! So nice to see you posting on Bonaire Talk.

To all who read this, I have met Patty personally and she is one of the most amazing women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She really puts her heart into caring for these boys, and it is evident when you see them with her.

I think we can come up with something to help out for the folks who work there... let's think on it for a bit and see what we can come up with.

Patty I would like to say, again, THANK YOU for everything you do for the boys.

Hi everyone,
What a reaction's amazing!
Normally we celebrate Christmas on the 23th or 24th, before the kids go to their families. We celebrate together staff and kids. Last year we had a dinner just with staff, that was nice too, because we could talk and sit together. And normally we don't have time for that.
But last year I celebrated alone the Christmas with 5 boys. It was nice, there was an atmosfere, but it missed something..

In Holland it's tradition that you get the day before Christmas a box full of food-products. Like a good wine, some chocolates, and/or can of salmon/crab. We had that 4 years ago, and that was also very appreciated.
I'll think about it, but please be welcome to post some ideas!

Patty, thanks for the ideas...we can manage a "box full of food-products. Like a good wine, some chocolates, and/or can of salmon/crab." for sure...is this a package for each worker or one big package that you all share the day before Christmas?

Patty,

Back in June, I made my 2nd of what I hope to be many more trips to Bonaire. I brought an extra suitcase for the boys, stuffed with clothes, baseball goves and caps, ankle high socks, etc. I am currently planning my next dive trip and hope to be coming back to Bonaire, this time in February or March of 2006. I have started putting together a "care package", so please let me know if the things that I mentioned are good to bring, or if there are other things that would be of better use. Also, you mentioned the staff. What kinds of things could you folks use to make your job easier or more enjoyable ?

Steve Holcomb

Hi Patty,
Do the boys have a bicycle pump yet?

Hi Cynde,
Maybe I'm rude, but it's tradition to give each worker a box of products. The thought behind it is to share it with your family!

I'm still thinking about it, and I have to check the manager of what her plans are.

Hello Mare,
we used to have one, first the needles got lost, then the pump broke!
So it would be very helpfull.
Thanks!

Hello Steve,
I'll soon post a new list. Cause lately we've been having a lot of donations of the same stuff. Very welcome of course! But I have to think about a new system how to take the items we have enough off the list. Get it?
But I want to thank you for your generousity!

Patty, you aren't rude In the US, often the "office workers" will get a gift to share with co-workers. I wanted to see if you were talking about that, or if you were talking about baskets for each person (to share with their family). I like that idea of one for each person, and I'm sure we will have enough BT'ers step up to the task and donate/help!

Patty - I work for a US operation of a Dutch company and this explains some things. Last year we all got a bottle of wine & small box of Godiva chocolates a few days before Christmas. A year or two before it was a gift box with pasta & wine. Now I have a good explanation!

Sue

Patty ... you could list under a thread here on BT, and update the list periodically.
and/or, whoever provides the maintenace of the MH website could give you access to update the page there that has the 'old' list of needed items, allowing you to update as/when appropriate.

Is there anybody volunteering to collect donations to then purchase/provide gifts for the MH staff? I can't offer to do this, but I can make a small donation. Who/where :-) ??? Would it be easiest to send the $ to somebody on island who would volunteer to purchase and deliver???

how many people on staff?

Denise, I was thinking, once Patty has the number of people (I think there are only 3 or 4 staff) and what would be best, then we can start hammering out the specifics It will probably be easiest to donate to a paypal account, then that person can pay someone on island to put the baskets together. What do you think?

sounds good to me :-)

Cnydee count me in just let me know, who what when and where

Patrick, you got it!

count me in as well Cynde...

Hi everyone,
The Hoppner organisation exist of 9 people. The manager, me(head of leaders), 5 groupleaders, 1 assistent groupleader and a cleaning lady! Together we take care of the kids in every form and way. So I think al nine of them should be rewarded and not just the " groupleaders".

If it's neccesary I can arrange the baskets and buy everything. I'm already on the island!

Thanks already for the reactions and the effort everyone is making!

Patty, thanks! We have something to work with now. I'm going to start a new thread in Everything Else where most BT'ers see and get it going!

Cynde, count me in as well.

Count us in too.

Patty, did the new bicycles that Bonaire Talkers contributed ever make it to Maria Hoppner? When I was on Bonaire in October, I was told that they had made it to Bonaire but never arrived at Maria Hoppner.

Tom, I got an email from Liz a couple days ago. Apperantly they are still in the delivery warehouse and never got delivered. Liz was going to follow up this week and make sure they got to the boys by the end of the week. She will keep us posted I thought, just in time for Christmas!