In late 2013, Louise ZoBell, Founder and Executive Director of Dominican Starfish Foundation, posted on social media looking for donations to help build a new home in the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Starfish Foundation had been building a new home for Rafelo Marte at the time, and had met his brother Freddy when they had returned to the Dominican to check on the home’s progress.
Freddy’s home was in terrible shape, nothing more than a shack. But he was proud of what he did have and kept it neat.
A Truehope employee noticed the request and approached Anthony Stephan, Truehope’s founder and CEO, about making a donation.
Anthony agreed to donate funds to help build Freddy a home, and in November 2013 DSF volunteers visited Freddy to tell him he’d be receiving a new home.
The crew started demolition the next day, which took 75 minutes because the only tool they had was one hammer.
Work started on the home soon after, but it took 3 months to complete because Jose Luis, the construction manager, was busy building many homes at the same time.
When Louise returned to the Dominican in February 2014 to check on the progress, everything looked amazing inside and out.
Freddy shed many tears of gratitude. He is very grateful for his new home, something he never dreamed would happen in his life.
Freddy’s home has become DSF’s show home in the Dominican. They take everyone there to see it because it’s such a drastic change and because Freddy always keeps his home so neat and clean.
Freddy’s life has changed drastically.
Although he is still very poor and makes only $70 per month, he devotes much of his time to service.
He has since become a member of Dominican Starfish Foundation and helps weekly distributing shoes and clothing.
Here at Truehope, we’re happy to have made a difference in another person’s life.