I co-directed an immersion experience for University Students minoring in American Sign Language (ASL). Don, Lyle, and the teachers were so flexible and inviting that it truly made the one week visit an experience of a lifetime. If something wasn't working, it could be changed. The things that went well, we did more of. The students at the Mission School for the Deaf are blessed to have an education that they are denied in their country due to the audist perspective of their school system.
The church I pastor (Mosaic Community Fellowship) has partnered with Touching Lives several times on short-term mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and have never failed to be impressed. Their ministry to the poor, orphaned, and disabled, is the picture of of what Christian compassion in action should look like. Our experience working with them bringing church teams in and out of the country has been positive each time: Exceeding expectations despite the usual 'hiccups' that accompany missions work in third-world countries,
I have never been out of the country let alone on a missonary trip and when I met Don and Lyle in TouchingLives my world had changed.My whole thinking and caring and giving has cvhanged .It has effected my job as a cosmetology towards my clients. Life is not about material things its about the love for God and helping people believe in God and thru all the hard work this group does comes from their heart and giving their last dime and i have seen it presonally the last 4 years.Every day they find another child that needs their help and even if they dont have room that child will be in that school.I will do what ever I can here to help Don and Lyle Touching Lives because i truely believe in them and what God as show me thru them Sincerlly Kathy Toth Smith
Believing that education is the long-term solution to the cycle of poverty, Lyle Shipe and his wife Julie, through their organization Touching Lives Worldwide, Inc., became involved in a school for deaf children in Dajabon, Dominican Republic, and across the border into Haiti. In story after story, they, along with Lyle's son, Don, have worked hard to provide what was necessary for the school to become a reality: a mission house (which temporarily doubles as the school); two school vans, teachers and land and other buildings to expand.
In addition, they work with impoverished orphans providing food, shelter, medical and dental care, and so much more. They have worked with hundreds of children and adults, who otherwise would not receive these services. They also currently sponsor weekly English/Bible classes (with currently 178 students) and summer camps that have benefited hundreds of children.
I have had the privilege of seeing each of these ministries first-hand and am overwhelmed by the incredible need and the equally incredible effort being made by Touching Lives. They truly are touching lives and in the process, are leaving behind God's loving fingerprint!
I have had the great pleasure of working with touching Lives Worldwide and it is a very rewarding experience.They work with and provide school for the deaf, impoverished children of Dominican Republic, they sponsor a camp in the summer for the children and they help orphans in Haiti with food, shelter, clothing and medi!cal care. Besides what Touching lives provide for the c:hildren they interact with them and give them love and hope the children, through Touching Lives, receive many of God's blessings. The organization is dedicated to helping as much as they can with what little they have to work with. I am honored to be able to work with them in any way that I can.
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Very few people truly have had the opportunity to make a difference in this world. I have participated in several mission trips through Touching Lives Worldwide and have seen the transformation of many peoples lives in Dajabon, Dominican Republic. Seeing children experience the gift of love and compassion truly opens ones heart to a new meaning of purpose to ones life.
I have witnessed seeing children living in a silent world of deafness experience the joy of purpose and fulfillment. Without Touching Lives and it's dedicated staff and volunteers none of this would have been possible. It is like watching a beautiful flower blossom in the middle of the desert.
I participated in a summer camp in the Dominican Republic with Touching Lives, I had an amazing experience that definitely changed me and I know changed the lives of the children there as they learned about Christ and God's love. It was great to be able to serve meals to them and play in the pool. The school for the deaf is such a wonderful thing and after meeting some of the students from the school I could really understand the need and see the gratitude and love from them. It was such a blessing to be part of a group who were so welcomed and could do so much for those in need. Also the group of people who were on the trip were amazing, what a talented and awesome group, I love them all and am so glad to know them. This is a wonderful organization!!!
This year, I was honored to be able to serve as a volunteer for Touching Lives Worldwide during two missions to Dajabon, Dominican Republic. While serving there I was impressed with the level of care and love given to the Deaf students in the Mission School as well as to the children at the orphanage. Touching Lives Worldwide administration and staff use every tool and resource they have to the best advantage for the children’s wellbeing and education. The love the administration and staff show for the children is almost audible and the children beam with delight when they are with them! The volunteer groups that go there to give physical help and resources are used in the best ways to support the continuing work of giving life skills and care according to each child’s needs. It is my firm belief that Touching Lives Worldwide is hugely positive help to the children and their community. I have repeatedly seen how the local community is very positively impacted by the work they do and comes together in great support of Touching Lives Worldwide’s goals of socially and educationally empowering the children that in turn benefits the overall community.
For the past five years I have heard many powerful testimonies in how Touching Lives has been able to touch many lives through the schooling for the Deaf children (children who normally are abandoned, neglected or have minimal language skills), to teaching English and Bible classes, to transporting food to the grateful orphans in Haiti. It is incredible to see all of the projects that Touching Lives Worldwide takes on throughout the year to serve their community.
But it was not until I accepted to be part of one of the mission trips, that like Thomas the disciple with my own eyes I got to see how powerful and important for this community this ministry is. It is unspeakable how much this small organization does so much for so many children and teams. Not only they meet their physical needs, but their spiritual needs as well.
There are no words to describe the love, compassion and dedication that this organization invest in this ministry. I can see God's hand moving through Touching Lives.
I was among a group of faculty members who led 24 college students on a week-long service trip to Touching Lives Worldwide's Mission School for the Deaf in Dajabon, Dominican Republic. On this trip, our college students had life-changing experiences while teaching lessons to deaf children. These experiences will forever affect the lives of both groups of students because both groups seemed to learn so much from each other. It's clear that Don and Lyle Shipe work hard to provide deaf children--children who would not otherwise attend school--a chance to learn and grow like other children. I commend them for their efforts.
I also had the chance to go the TLW orphanage in Haiti where I witnessed children practicing a dance for an upcoming national event. Although these students live and attend school in conditions that would appall most Americans, because of Don Shipe's commitment to provide food and personal care supplies, they are healthy and their smiles are infectious. Don literally risks his life each time he crosses the DR/Haitian border, yet he does so -- often several times each week -- to ensure that the kids at the orphanage have what they need.
I have been on Touching Lives Wordwide's board for three years. I have worked with other non-profits for over 18 years. I have never worked with an organization has been able to accomplish so much with so little. We serve orphans in Haiti that up until our support arrived, didn't even have a meal everyday. In addition to food, we provide education and have an annual week long summer camp that gives them an experience that they would otherwise never have.
In the Dominican Republic, we have a school for deaf kids and adolescents. Without this school, many of the students would not only not have an education, but wouldn't even know how to communicate with others or what their own names were. These students are doing great things now that the school is in place. We also have english and sign language classes for the public.
When telling the stories of Touching Lives Worldwide, I do not know where to begin. I have seen lives changed through medical care, spiritual development, and the meeting of physical needs. I still think often of the children and students that I played with, served, and grew to love in my short time with them. I am thankful for Touching Lives Worldwide. This organization changed my life, by allowing me to change the lives of young people living in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Where to begin? This organization does so much it is really hard to begin. A school for the deaf in the Dominican Republic, a orphanage in Haiti, annual summer camps for hundreds of children and many monthly sponsors for individual children. This organizations has so many wonderful volunteers it is hard to believe. I have followed Touching Lives since its conception and I am in awe at how quickly it began "touching lives". My whole family has done mission trips to Haiti and to the Dominican Republic. Food, Shelter, Medical, Dental, education, transportation, protection for the children. It is truly shocking how the deaf children are treated by their own families, shunned and outcast, victimized by the society, even raped, robbed and beaten simply because they cannot communicate. This organization not only provides them a safe shelter but gives them the ability to speak, the ability to learn and the ability to change their own lives.
I have been a missionary going to Haiti for 13 years and made a mission trip with Touching Lives Worldwide Feb. 2013. I can not say enough about how wonderful this organization is and to have witnessed for myself what great things they do. I have been working with the very poor for years and it touched my heart to see how they do their very best to care for the children of Haiti and DR. They not only care for the orphand's needs and provide a most wonderful school but show their true love for the people of both countries. As a volunteer i was treated so very well and felt safe at all times and was blessed with a great team. This organization is a blessing to all who go on a mission with them. To see the deaf children learning in a country where a disability is a curse was amazing to witness.
While browsing the internet looking at various Deaf ministries I came across Touching Lives Worldwide. The ministry sparked my attention and I began corresponding via email and phone calls to learn more about the work that is going on in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A few months later I was on board a plane and bound for Dajabon, Dominican Republic! I worked with a team of Americans, Dominicans and Haitians to provide a four day camp for 214 plus children of three different cultures (Dominican, Haitian & Deaf) and three different languages (Spanish, Creole & Sign Language). Through Touching Lives Worldwide we were able to provide the children at camp with food, games, crafts, pool time, learning and more food! It was a truly amazing week.
During my time in the Dominican Republic I was able to see the life changing things that this small organization is doing for the community of Dajabon, Dominican Republic and Quantaminthe, Haiti. From providing schooling for the Deaf children (children who normally are abandoned, neglected or have minimal language skills), to teaching English and Bible classes, to transporting food to the grateful orphans in Haiti. It is incredible to see all of the projects that Touching Lives Worldwide takes on throughout the year to serve their community. God is truly at work in this organization.
I would not hesitate to recommend Touching Lives Worldwide for charitable donations or volunteer mission opportunities. My wife and I have been going on medical mission trips to The Dominican Republic for over ten years. During this time my wife met a young deaf boy in one of the villages we visited. We arranged for him to be examined and purchased hearing aids for him. When we found out the local village school just could not meet his needs, we got in touch with the deaf school run by Touching Lives Worldwide. He now is doing great. He has come a long way. Don the school director helped him find housing and employment while he attends school. They also support an orphanage in Haiti. They offer English/ Bible classes for neighborhood kids at the deaf school. They have a large summer camp for children from both The Dominican and Haiti working with many volunteers from The Dominican, Haiti, and The US. We have witnessed all this on personal visits for the past two years.