More About Him...

The following was written by Crystal Fox, a woman who volunteered with DOVE for 2 weeks in July: I love Dauri! He was one of the first boys I met. Liz and I ran into him in Central Park and ended up taking him and seven other shoeshine boys for dinner.Dauri stayed with us for most of the day and I fell in love with him instantly:) He is such a sweetheart and wants to learn so badly. As we drove around the city we went over and over english words like left, right, straight etc...When I saw him the next day he runs up and hugs me and starts going over the words again. One day in english class Jenny and Jencen were doing colors. I was sitting by Dauri and he asked me how to say the one on his card.He wanted to get it right when they got to him and was so proud!I spent alot of time with Dauri and got to know him pretty well...I hate to pick favorites but if I was asked who really stood out to me, Dauri would be at the top of the list.

His Smile

Watch this video to see Dauri's adorable smile at the end. This is why everyone falls in love with him the minute they meet him! Liz is trying to work with him on not shoe shining on the Malecon. Many of the boys in the poor area have shoe shine kits. They go to the Malecon, a popular area along the water, and shine shoes for 10 pesos each. This is a way for kids to support their families, however, Dauri uses a lot of the money to go to a place downtown that charges kids to play video games. He ends up missing school and getting in trouble with the police while on the streets working, so we encourage the kids, if at all possible, not to shoe shine. The police prey on the young boys and will throw them in jail, sometimes for no reason other than the fact that they are shoe shining on the Malecon where the tourists can see, and the police don't want to be projecting that image of child labour to the tourists. It is also these shoe shine boys who are often targetted by pimps and child pedophiles. Dauri's grandmother had no idea that this was happening to young boys, so we educated her on the dangers of the boys going out on the streets along, working, and we hope that she will also encourage Dauri to stop.

Summer Photos

Dauri out shoe shining with his friends


Learning hemp jewelry making in class, with a friend, Almondo.


With a big group of boys after class.


With a friend, Seliel


Swimming with friends Luis Manuel and Richard.


Swimming, with friends Jose and Alberto.


Out for lunch with Liz and some friends.

Bench Building

A team from Minnesota came, and Dauri was able to take part in working with them. He got a lesson in wood working and helped to make benches for the new club building! This is a great opportunity because learning a trade can open up many opportunities for these kids.






*July 2009

Dauri's House