https://wss15.etapestry.com:8443/sitepreview/http/vivakids.org/index.php en dnsgower@gmail.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-05T16:03:23+00:00 http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vivakids_hosts_teacher_training_workshops/ http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vivakids_hosts_teacher_training_workshops/#When:16:03:23Z It’s all about the kids!  The more time we spend developing VivaKids’ programs, the more we grab hold of the truth of that statement.  Each activity, each new program, each sponsor…everything we do is to try to make a positive difference in the lives of these children.  Recently, it was that same drive that brought us together once again with the teachers of our two partner Children Centers.  Because these children are coming from broken homes and impoverished communities, the work that the Children Centers do with them is much bigger than just offering classes.  Their teachers aren’t just teaching a subject, but they are trying to add significance and value to their lives.  That’s why we work with the teachers to give them as much encouragement and support as possible.  We recently finished three days of special teacher workshops with highly experienced professionals visiting from the US who are passionate about VivaKids.  During these days, we gave them much-needed tools to be more effective in impacting their students.  Techniques for teaching reading, class preparation, activity planning, handling discipline, and childhood development were some of the topics that were covered.  The teachers were thrilled to gain new insights and learn practical ways to help them touch these children’s lives.  In the days that have followed, we’ve heard great feedback from teachers who are already putting new skills into practice and seeing exciting results.  We also continue to meet with them on a regular basis to offer support and follow-up.  Anything we can do to make a small difference in the life of a precious child is worth it…because it’s all about the kids!  2011-12-05T16:03:23+00:00 http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/step_up_for_the_kids/ http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/step_up_for_the_kids/#When:17:31:47Z On Saturday, September 24th, we’re going to be promoting our child sponsorship program as we “step up for the kids” through a special walk around beautiful downtown Palm Beach, Florida.  Our walk begins at 8:30am at the Palm Beach Convention Center and ends in the same location.  Registration for the walk will be open on Friday, September 23rd from 8:00am to 2:00pm or Saturday at 8:00am.  Please join us for this exciting adventure to help make a difference in the lives of our precious VivaKids!  PRE-REGISTER HERE! 2011-08-17T17:31:47+00:00 http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/high_hopes/ http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/high_hopes/#When:18:01:06Z High Hopes For Our High Schoolers For many of us, the words “High School” bring back memories of awkward moments, first loves, sporting events, and cramming for tests. For many of the children in the Dominican Republic, however, the opportunity to attend a quality high school is almost a fantasy. For the past several years, the CIMIV Children Center that we partner with has been feeding, educating and caring for children from preschool to 8th grade. The end of each school year brings a bittersweet moment of seeing a class of 8th graders graduate, but not knowing what their future holds with regards to their education. Private schools are the best option, but are often out of reach financially. The public system is available and more financially feasible, but offers a very poor education with little opportunity upon completion. Sadly, some students drop out of school all together. Not this year! Seeing the group of graduates was a moment of joyous celebration! Thanks to VivaKids’ child sponsorship program, we have partnered with a quality private school that will continue to provide education for our sponsored children. Both the children and their parents were thrilled about this exciting opportunity. This week our 8th graders are being enrolled as freshmen in high school and their futures look bright! 2011-08-11T18:01:06+00:00 http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vivakids_child_sponsorship_promotional_tour/ http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vivakids_child_sponsorship_promotional_tour/#When:20:43:05Z VivaKids field directors, Dan and Shana Gower will be traveling throughout central and eastern USA to promote our Child Sponsorship Program.  Currently, of the approximately 320 children in our program, only about 75 are sponsored.  We want to make sure we get sponsors for all our children before the end of the school year in order to ensure that they will all be able to continue to receive the much needed education, nutrition and health care.  The promotional tour will begin in Florida on April 1st and after traveling through 20 States, will end back in Florida in mid-May.  Their itinerary is outlined below.  If you would like the Gowers to visit your area, please let us know.  Due to scheduling limitations, we cannot guarantee we can accommodate every request, but we appreciate any invitation.  Even if we can’t personally visit, we invite you to tell your friends and family about this incredible opportunity to make a difference in the life of one important child.  March 31:  Arrive in Miami April 1:  West Palm Beach, FL April 2:  Jupiter, FL April 3-4:  Vero Beach, FL April 5:  New Port Richey, FL April 6:  Orlando, FL April 7:  New Smyrna Beach, FL April 8:  Atlanta, GA April 9:  Aiken, SC April 10: Rock Hill, SC April 11:  Raleigh, NC April 12:  Durham, NC April 13 – April 16:  Huntingtown, MD April 17:  Strausstown, PA April 18 – April 23:  Huntingtown, MD April 24:  Mt. Aetna, PA April 26: Princeton, WV April 27:  Bowling Green, KY April 28:  Ft. Wayne, IN April 29-May 8:  Monticello, MN May 9:  Wichita, KS May 10: Dallas, TX May 12: San Antonio, TX May 13:  Mission, TX May 14-15: Houston, TX 2011-03-02T20:43:05+00:00 http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vocational_school/ http://www.vivakids.org/index.php/news/vocational_school/#When:18:47:16Z CLICK HERE to view and download our FALL 2010 NEWSLETTER         VivaKids at Exfuze National Conference 2010 VivaKids had the wonderful privilege of participating in a recent convention with Exfuze in Salt Lake City.  Thanks to the generous support from Exfuze and its distributors, we signed up over 60 sponsors in just two days! 2010-09-15T18:47:16+00:00