"On completing a Confectionery Course in the Technical School in La Loma, I was able to open a small business. With this financial help I have continued my studies. At present I have completed the seventh semester in Dentistry at the Central University of the East, San Pedro de Macoris. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all who have made further education possible for me."

  ~ Former La Loma student: Iris Marvilyn Jackson (La Loma, Consuelo)

Dear Friends:

Receive as always our dearest greetings and wishes that the Lord guides you in all your steps.

For many years the Rotary Club has worked in favour of this Training Centre, helping us in it's growth and development in the different areas in which we give training courses to the youth and adults to help them to be productive and in that way collaborate to the development of the country.

We want to thank for your assistance in the Hotel Trade, Sewing, Cooking and Confectionery courses, as well as in the construction of a new building that we require to give more courses because we have more students and need to give more classes.

We hope that the Rotary Club can help us in the development of this new project so we can finish our building to continue helping the young people of our community.

We thank and support Mr. Bob McAllister and other members of the Rotary Club in their bicycle journey from Vancouver to Calgary in order to raise funds.

God Bless your good actions and listen to our prayers for the success in your trip.

~ Mrs. Myrna R. Rodriguez, Director of La Loma

To the Viva La Loma Riders:

It is my pleasure to offer congratulations for your generous efforts in assisting the "La Loma" Adult Training School in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Providing less privledged people with 'knowledge' so that they can earn a job and become productive members of a community is one of the best donations that you can give. A job gives both men and women the opportunities to provide for themselves and families along with a sense of pride and the gift of hope.

My understanding is that "La Loma" provides an ideal bridge between the people of my country who need employment and the Resort and Tourism industry which requires qualified employees.

This is a very good situation and I would appreciate an update in due course.

I wish you success in your bicycle ride from Vancouver to Calgary and may God bless and protect you in this noble under-taking.

Sincerely,
~ Tony Fernandez, Tony Fernandez Foundation

Dear Viva La Loma Riders,

I offer my sincere best wishes for the success for your "Viva La Loma" ride. It is a marvellous achievement for 8 business people and a high school studen to take time from their busy schedules in order to take on this challenge and raise money for the people of the Dominican Republic.

Congratulations on your success with La Loma. I understand the adult training school is making a positive difference to the people of Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Good Luck and have a safe ride.

~ Christine Elliott, MPP Whitby-Oshawa

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Grey Sisters, I wish to express my joy and appreciation of the work being done by the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club on behalf of the poor in Consuelo, Domincan Republic. Our Sisters who have been living and working with the people in Consuelo over a number of years give testimony to the quality of presence and service of the members of this Rotary Club.

Be it education, health care, attention to the elderly, contributing to the betterment of living conditions (bio-filter water project) these dedicated women and men involve the Dominican people and by supporting their efforts work along with them.

I am told that a bicycle ride from Vancouver to Calgary will help raise the necessary funds to put a secod story on a building dedicated to the teaching of marketable skills. I believe in this project for it will provide the space to continue and increase the teaching of skills which in the long run will enable the young people to prepare for work. To be prepared and eligible to apply for work, gives on a sense of dignity and allows him/her to become self sufficient. Some years ago I personally visited this centre for learning and I was impressed and inspired by its students, teachers as well as the administration staff.

Viva La Loma is a worthwhile project. I am glad to cheer on the riders from the side lines and grateful that I don't have to pedal a bike!

~ Fay Edmonds, GSIC, General Superior, Grey Sisters of Immaculate Conception

Dear Bob,

I am delighted to endorse your most recent initiative to raise money for the La Loma project in Consuelo, the Dominican Republic.

Your first long distance cycling marathon was a huge success in raising money for La Loma, a wonderfully productive adult training centre in an area of the Dominican Republic long plagued by high unemployment. I wish you repeated success in this more ambitious and demanding journey from Vancouver to Calgary - recalling also that Sunshine Rotary of Whitby is not an athletic club!

My connections with Consuelo run back to the early 60s and I have been witness to the extraordinary results obtained in that community by a very small number of devoted and exceptional Canadians.

~ John W. Graham, Chair FOCAL, the Canadian Foundation for the Americas and a former Ambassador to the Dominican Republic