Bahia de Las Aguilas - Las Cuevas (long)

With all the controversy about Bahia de Las Aguilas, I remember I trip we made there 4 years ago. I was told it was the most beautiful place on earth, and it is; but the thing that stuck in my mind is a place called Las Cuevas (the caves) just before the road gets really bad, that's where people leave the cars and get on SUVs to make the rest of the trip, if you don't have one then you can't continue (we were travelling with two vehicles). The caves are caves where people actually live, if you can call that living. I went into one of the caves and even took pictures, it was dark (of course there was no electricity) and damp and moldy, there were lots of children living there. I promised myself I would go back with clothes for the children and school supplies (even thogh I didn't see any schools nearby), I gave them money and bought beautiful shells they sold me for ten pesos (they would go for $150 in Boca Chica).

I have not heard any plans to relocate these people or give them housing, they still live there, in sub-human condition. I am planning to go back with clothes and toys for the children, also some non- perishable medicine, if anyone is interested in helping, even making the trip, please let me know. I would like to collect used clothing and used toys, not only for those children, but lots of children in the southwest part of the country (Barahona - Pedernales) that are not as fortunate as other children.

I did this in December (in Barahona), but was only able to give some toys that I bought myself (dolls and cars you get from Mundo de Juguete for 15-40 pesos each), I gave them out on January 5 (day used in DR to give toys to the children) and next thing I knew more children were coming and I had to give them money 'cause I was out of toys (I was also out of money pretty soon), but the satisfaction you see on their little faces is enough to compensate for the trouble and the financial hardship.

If anyone is interested in reading about the people that live in the caves please click on this link
http://www.listin.com.do/cuerpos/dinero/din2.htm

Marilyn

Sorry it took so long to answer but my phone was out of service for almost a week... I'm based in Santo Domingo. I will let everyone know when I'm ready to make the trip (it's a good 6 hour trip one way from SD)... thanks for offering


P.S.: clothes would be appreciated too, I don't think those people would reject it

Tears of grief and shame

I agree with everyone in not upsetting the ecology of the Jaragua National Park, unfortunately now i'ts a done deal, there's no turning back the wheels when pure and unadulterated greed starts controlling the minds of people. No one will protest anything because pretty soon money will start changing hands. The only bright side of the coin is that Pedernales will wake up from it's long lethargy and it's people will have another source of income, after the Alcoa Mining Co. left the town, there's no source of steady income, they don't even have a university, the closest one being in Barahona (2 1/2 hours away), I know of people that travel every Saturday leaving at 5AM so they can get to class at 8AM and come back home after 8pm.

I can imagine Mother Nature crying tears of grief and shame at what will be done to that beautiful place.