Red White & Jen

Please check out my facebook cause page to see some of what I have been up to and have written. Living in Sosua last year, although your words rang true:( I managed to help many Haitians while we were there last year. It would greatly help all of us especially people who come to the batey and Suncamp to know that there will soon be an official non-profit that is US based...yes Diane Pellerin? Also I own the domain for the Colmado Project...and have been working...I will write you an email, explaining more privado lol! Please search facebook as you would a person and type: Please invite all your friends to help raise awareness so that it may get it off the ground this year. Just search for: Red White & Jen

Thanks Diane...I will be back soon. I am always raising awareness and doing work from the states. I am helping a little girl in the village right now. I will send you her picture...I settled her rent but she still needs a mattress. Do you have any extra small ones at Suncamp by chance? Please check out the cause page I started on fb: I hope one day it makes more of a difference if I can get non profit status in US ($$$) we could do so much more great work together to do much more than rebuild the village. Miss you so much my friend, thanks for posting these precious memories! See you soon:) XOXO Miss you, Sam, my friends there and the batey and the perros!

Thanks for your patience friends. I have been working hard to try to get ready for this year's journey...in July. However, lots of great work being done behind the scenes as always. Since we updated you last...John and I planned to live in the Dominican Republic for six month, which turned out to be closer to four. The company he was working for in CO. As he was the first couple in John's company (we'll leave out names) to ever move out of the country and become an independent contractor. The company chose to go the most conservative route...probably in retrospect (for the best, as those of you who know us...know we aren't too conservative:) Especially the one who wears half the pants lol! As a senior software developer with many rare talents he found a job within 3 weeks, including Christmas...over skype and Whatsapp...the cellular phone service we used for his work, which had very few issues, if any, I might add!

Fast forward during that time, I was doing lots of great work as this was my sixth year to hone in on what all the needs of the the the people in the batey truly were. I focused more of my time teaching business and marketing to most every child over the age of 12, as sadly that is pretty much when their childhoods end...in a haitian batey, with of course the rare exception. I do a lot of work starting and continuing, Colmado projects. Where I take existing colmados, or folks that cannot afford to start one at all and teach them to build their business from the ground up. Teach them what it takes to put away for start up costs, bad months, slow months, broken parts, the village was set back another year out of three by a fire that burned down nearly 3/4 of the village. How credit unfortunately in their country is considered negative...no matter how responsibly they use it. This is very difficult for all the stateless Haitians and people who can claim no country. Not only on a personal and professional level, but when it comes to helping out their fellow neighbor. It is in their hearts no question, in the near future I am going to to attempt to categorize some of these talking points into sections of what we do. Therefore, if there is a particular goal that I work on that you may be interested in getting involved there will be a section where you can sort through this...lets face it, mess and find what you are interested in regarding donations. In the last six years I have been quite frankly too busy to keep up with the ever changing social media. For those of you, that joined: 'Helping teach in a Haitian village.' If you would like to unfollow that, and join us here...there are some great photos and videos and yes, that is where we started but this is where we are now!

'Although I am a not a missionary...I am on a mission!' (This is also my new tag line!) I simply believe there is enough bible study going on throughout the day and week to be teaching more...ok I will be totally honest...I probably don't know enough to teach them anything else than they already know on the subject. However, learning English, Spanish, mathematics, and geography...being able to run a store, and understand how to manage said store, stock it, plan for it, etc. The girl project,,,helping raise one girl up at a time,,,giving them more of a purpose in life then thinking all there good for is selling themselves to the highest bidder. A very sad truth, that I've come to learn sometimes I have to realize when there are certain situations that I must cut my losses, more independent stories on my new and improved blog coming soon!

So long story long, John and I ended up having an amazing four months together. Especially, since it was my husbands first time to make the trek with me. He literally risked it all for us and the people of Munoz. My heart's calling for the last six years of my life. He may have had a job loss and set back, and a few frantic days, but now...after over a year and four amazing months living the dream. Fate brought us back to ATX and we are now living near the Domain. Obviously, I was not able to physically go this winter given everything I just shared with you. Please remember, this is a CAUSE page, and not my main page. Nonetheless, it will get better and better with time. More organized and hopefully reflect the purpose I feel in my heart, on the page, as well as in its contents. To all my fellow volunteers, philanthropists, and people just trying to make a difference wherever you are. Thank you, and keep fighting the good fight!

This article depicts much of the work we do and a huge part of the humanitarian cause itself. This has not been happening overnight nor did it just start, although its has and still happens all the time, apparently the govt is really going to be cracking down. I simply don't understand with an island so large why we all can't live peacefully. The article claims there is not enough room for all, bu****it!. I know people that can help, the Haitians have a much better shot at life in the Dominican Republic. It's not night and day, but its a better shot. Please PM if you would like to donate or get involved, and thank you so much for my consistent contributors.

Haitian deportation crisis brews in Dominican Republic On street corners, in restaurants and in living rooms in this capital city, people gathered to loudly debate how the government should handle...

Thanks for keeping up with us friends! After 5 years of work I am in the process of establishing my own US based non-profit. After much work and research, with language barriers and all last year, I realized that, 'Project Munoz' a Canadian based grass roots foundation is in great need of a US based non-profit.

We are bringing in more and more American volunteers and teachers to help raise awareness to the fact that Hispaniola is one large island that could and should act as one! Please exscuse my typos as I am writing this from my phone that has some issues:)

Always hopeful, we have realized that there's a disproportionately large population of Haitians that are born in the Dominican Republic every day, yet are considered refugees due to the sad reality that most of the Haitian people living in the Dominican Republic are actually stateless and without citizenship. If the children, especially girls are not reached by the age of 12 this equals hopelessness, massive poverty, lack of proper education, clean drinking water, and more and more prostitution as a desperate attempt to feed their families and not feel the need to sell their children to families in Haiti where an even more desperate fate awaits them...slavery. The name for these child slaves: Restovecks.

This puts the Haitian communities at a serious disadvantage as they are not receiving the same or even remotely similar opportunities as the Dominican people. I work in a primarily 'Haitian Batey,' in the Dominican Republic. It is also one of the only bateys on the island where Dominicans and Haitians live in peace.

Our goal Is to tackle one batey at a time by providing At-risk youth outreach programs for Haitian refugees, more community centers and many outlets for learning and equal opportunity to their peers. Starting local Colmado Projects while bettering the ones that currently exist. Supporting local farmers, that bring us fresh food where they are yet to fully understand how they are helping the communities and people by: (here's one that might throw you) growing and selling organic foods that contain no GMO's for pennies on the dollar. If they only understood why the rest of the world pays more for organics. All they understand is that they can't AFFORD to grow, bake, etc. any differently. To make their food and crops look as 'beautiful' as La Serena's...a chain opened by guess who: Walmart that helps house the glossy colored tomatoes and apples which the Gringos want to pick out. Side note: same non-organic crap we see in the states with many large chains every day. The chain of stores named La Serena, now additionally Super Pola originally purchased 12+ stores on the island for a mere $7 million.

Many people, world wide will never know what (real) food actually looks like or better yet tastes like:( Unfortunately, if you read up or have... Monsanto's already here folks. Fortunately, for now they appear to be targeting the export markets.

In order to not further bombard you for today. Please be warned that I welcome you to follow our journey, contribute In any way you can, help raise awareness and I will try my best to update you on all the positive points as well as accomplishments we make. However, this year take note that my posts are going to be more factual, raw, and not always beautiful. This page from now on will be about my true observations and not just a (polished truth.) This is my experience living in a third world country, the first year I was here a friend told me that it was more polite to describe it as: 'undeveloped' than third world. After 5 years involved, this is my assessment. I may be wrong about some things and my opinions will change as I further understand the DEEPEST truths. DISCLAIMER: If you can't take the heat, get yo ass out the kitchen, I'm on a mission! I completely understand if you NEED to unfollow me for any personal or professional reasons, no offense taken. This page is not for the faint of heart or mind!

My goal is to help the good and the innocents from the bad and corrupt. Everywhere I look NGO's are popping up all over the island. You get to the point where you know how to spot them. A sign about sunshine or hope or dreams...usually scribbled in a child's writing, blown up into a massive sign. These places are one of the reasons it is so difficult and $ these days to open your own small, non-corrupt, non NGO non-profit. Owned and often started by politicians or endorsed by them. They are a way to hide behind organized religion and political motives to launder massive amounts of money to further hide the bad guys and s***f out the good. Take a real look on some of the charities you support and donate $ to. If you have questions about there authenticity ask me or someone that runs a grass-roots non-profit to research It further. For example the Salvation Army truly gives MOST of their revenue to the people they serve. I would like to take the time to give them props. It Is not easy with so many (big dogs) backing you to keep the faith, while keeping It real and honest. However, going into this again for our six month journey. I welcome all people to follow and help in our battle for freedom and equality!

A quick shout out to my husband: John L Taylor who I feel has moved mountains to be here with me for the first time ever, learning, getting involved, and as always cheering me on. Please contact me if you want to figure out how to get back involved, stay involved or become involved!

http://shop.redwhiteandjen.com

This is a non-profit business I started in order to help a woman in Mexico bring her family over on a working-visa. Her name is Ceclila, and she is beyond talented. I want to help her make a better life for her and her five kids. This business is Fair-Trade, and Profit-Sharing...my other goal is to set up a sewing center in the Hatian Batey I work in where the women can be taught to make similar sorts of crafts for profit and to help further the villages and non-profit's group I have been working with for 3 years to create and move toward Sustainable Living and Self Education. Our long term goals are that eventually the community can help teach the other young women, teens, etc. When there are not teachers and volunteers to help all year round. Any extra money made will go to the costs of setting up a better working environment for Cecilia, shipping and traveling costs to continue volunteering, a salary for a teacher to run the sewing center I plan to open as well as machines, material, etc. So think of this instead of me asking you for a donation every year when I go do my work, I am offering you a product instead. These are my short term goals. If what I want to accomplish with them are met, I will want to either open an orphanage, or an orphanage that also takes in battered Haitian women living in the Domincan Republic as they do not have the same rights men or even many Domincan women have.

Please read info section as I have updated it to include how Red White and Jen has merged with my Dominican/Haitian causes with the products/accessories you see below and how I am hoping to make a difference with them. If you have any questions at all, please contact me. Thanks in advance for your support! You can see look to the left under "shop now" to see the products we still have in stock at this time. I will soon be making a trip in the next couple months to replenish the handbags and headbands.

Looking for a spirit to liven your weekend? Try Prairie Organic Vodka...Just wrote a blog under Discussions. If you buy two 750ml bottles Twin Liquors has a deal for $29.98. That's a steal!

Officially teaming up with my pops now...only part time to start. I think we will be a great team...excited by the possibilities! This is a fun and awesome event that I usually get to be a part of each year with him...

Festive food-oriented gala raises funds for Busby Foundation : Westlake Picayune Fall beckons in the first food tasting of the social season with the annual Flavors of the Town, and more than 350 philanthropic foodies gathered at the Hyatt Regency Austin to benefit the Busby Foundation.