It all started on a family vacation to The Dominican Republic 3 years ago. Usually we would stay at a hotel in the tourist area but that year we decided to visit my uncle in the country. Eileen was really sad when she seen how poor the people appeared, especially the barefooted children.She spoke about this particular topic the whole vacation and how she wanted to buy shoes for them. One evening s
he played with some boys and girls from the village and she was so happy to give them her clothing, a few accessories and foot wear. It was their first time getting their nails done. Eileen insisted that we help the children. I told Eileen I didn't have the money to help all of them at that time but one day we would. She left Dominican Republic feeling so sad and this made me feel so helpless. Her words remained stuck in my head "Mommy they have no shoes and they are walking on the hot ground" This touches me deeply because I was one of those little girls. I am Dominican and although I always had shoes my childhood was very similar to theirs. In the Dominican Republic around 41 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Nearly 75 percent of the population lives in an urban context. Challenges there include lack of access to basic services like clean water, shelter, medical care, education, sanitation, public safety, and electricity. This page was created with our best intentions to help the children of the Dominican Republic. My daughter Eileen Berger has a heart of gold. I would like to thank everyone for helping her achieve this service. Thank you for following and keeping the children of the Dominican Republic in your prayers. Eileen decided to name this cause "Happy Feet" because she believes comfort brings happiness and every child deserves to feel happy.
