Niños Felices

The Dominican Republic is a popular holiday destination, but it also has its dark side: more than one-third of its inhabitants live in poverty. In rural areas of the Dominican Republic, poor people make up half the population. Children have it especially difficult in these circumstances.

To give the many orphans of the Dominican Republic a new home "Azioni Niños Felices" has built an orphanage in Puerto Plata. Here, 60 children can find a new home where they enjoy a caring environment. While the organization is from Munich, Germany, the orphanage is administrated locally by the diocese of Puerto Plata, with its nuns looking after the children. The orphanage is not only a place to live for these children, it is a true home where their needs are met, such as medical care or education in local schools.

After two years of construction, the main house for 30 children was opened in March 2011. Two more houses, each for up to 30 children, will be finished in the coming years as well as a playground area.

The organization "Azioni Niños Felices" was founded in 2001 by Enzo Giardino, after having seen the poverty in the Dominican Republic during a holiday. He initiated sponsorships for individual children before the organization opened a school for more than 100 children in 2004. The Niños Felices sponsorship program is working together with local staff, who buy the food, medicine, and clothes needed for the children.