How One Woman’s Compassion Sparked a Movement of Change
Most people visit the Dominican Republic for its stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and luxury resorts. But for Louise ZoBell, that first trip in 2006 was the beginning of something far greater.
She didn’t go looking for a mission—but a mission found her.
Now, as the founder and director of the Dominican Starfish Foundation, she has led efforts to build homes, sponsor students, deliver life-saving medical care, and provide food to families in crisis.
But how did it all begin?
This is the deeply personal story—told in her own words—of a woman who answered the call to serve, changing not just her own life, but thousands of others.
🏝️ A Vacation That Opened Her Eyes
Louise’s journey started by chance.
"I was unexpectedly planted in the Dominican Republic in 2006. I earned a trip from a company I was working with. While there, we and some friends purchased a vacation package at a beautiful resort. Jack and I started returning and taking additional friends and family with us for holidays. At first, the villa, the private pool, the food, the decadence drew us back."
For many years, she and her husband, Jack, enjoyed their getaways. But something shifted.
As they returned, they began forming friendships with the resort staff, people whose warm smiles and kindness hid the hard realities they faced at home.
"We learned that they made such a meager income, and many lived in poverty. We started bringing gifts of clothing, toys, school supplies, and more."
At first, their efforts were simple—donating a few bags of supplies each time they visited. But each trip took them further beyond the resort walls, until finally, they saw the true conditions in which many families lived.
"Finally, after 7 vacation trips, we got into the communities and homes and saw the extreme poverty."
Louise knew they had to do more.
🦿 A Single Request That Changed Everything
In 2012, a trip to the community of Maggiolo altered the course of Louise’s life forever.
While delivering shoes, a woman approached her son, Grant, and made a request Louise never expected to hear.
"Someone asked my son, Grant, who speaks Spanish, if we could get her mother a leg. Wow! I couldn’t even imagine such a request. She had lost her leg to complications with diabetes. I had no clue how we could help."
Louise was shaken. She couldn’t stop thinking about the woman who had lost her leg, and she felt powerless to help.
Until one late night, she stumbled across a video about a girl in the Dominican Republic who had lost both legs in an accident.
"I learned that our church partnered with an Orthopedic company in Santo Domingo to help her and that they help 50 people each year with prosthetics."
She immediately got to work.
"Though I didn’t even know the name of the lady who needed help, I made many calls to discover who she was and how we could help."
Three months later, Louise sat in front of her computer screen, watching on Skype as the woman was fitted with her new prosthetic leg.
"Upon returning that fall, the first thing I wanted to do was to see Maria. We took a friend with us who was bilingual and made the visit. There were many happy tears."
It was a defining moment. She had seen firsthand how one act of kindness could completely change someone’s life.
But she had no idea that an even bigger mission was about to unfold.
🏫 From a School in Crisis to the Birth of a Foundation
On that same trip, Louise and Jack visited a local school they had supported in the past.
But something wasn’t right.
"Because Fernando was there to help us communicate, Jack asked the teacher why they were only using one room of the two-room school. She took us to see the other rooms where there was a huge crack in the floor and the wall and was extremely dangerous for the children. The building should have been condemned."
Louise didn’t hesitate.
"With my incredibly positive (and a little naïve) attitude, I said that we could help rebuild the school."
With the help of family and friends, she organized her first fundraiser back in Canada.
💙 The result? The school was completely rebuilt within months.
"Returning to the Dominican Republic in January, the new school was finished. Only 2 walls of the original structure were retained. It was like a completely new building."
At the grand opening, a woman handed Louise a letter—a plea for help with her home that was falling apart.
At the time, housing wasn’t even in the plan. But that request planted the seed for something much greater than anyone imagined.
🏡 From One Home to Over 200
When Louise turned 60, her children threw her a surprise fundraising party—raising $1,200.
It was enough to build her first home for a woman named Mela.
"That was the start. We then held some garage sales and more, and Mela’s home was started on April 1, 2013."
By 2023, the Dominican Starfish Foundation had:🏡 Built, purchased, or remodeled 208 homes📚 Built a library, distribution center, and school🍽️ Raised over $250,000 during the pandemic for food relief🎒 Provided school sponsorships for hundreds of children🩺 Helped countless people access medical care
The impact grew beyond anything Louise could have dreamed.
"I feel it was a sacred call that started and continues my work in the Dominican Republic. I am striving to ‘bloom where I was planted.’"
🌎 Love Has No Borders
Louise has faced criticism from those who question why she helps people outside her own country.
Her answer is clear and unwavering:
"Occasionally, though not often, some well-meaning person confronts me with the idea that people right here need help and I shouldn’t be looking beyond my own community. I totally agree about local needs, but it would be incredibly sad if people only helped in their own communities."
Her mission knows no borders.
"We need humanitarian programs everywhere!!!"
In 2023 Louise wrote a book called Defining Moments.
"Defining Moments" by Louise ZoBell is an inspiring memoir that chronicles the author's journey from dreaming of humanitarian work to making a tangible impact in the Dominican Republic. ZoBell shares her experiences of overcoming challenges and embracing change through personal stories, practical exercises, and reflections. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own defining moments and take steps toward personal growth and positive transformation. It's a heartfelt celebration of resilience and the human spirit.
You can purchase the book on Amazon and 100% of the proceeds is donated for the projects in the Dominican Republic!
🏝️ Join the Mission: Be Part of the Change!
🙌 Want to support the Dominican Starfish Foundation?✔️ Donate – Help build homes, schools, and futures✔️ Volunteer – Experience the impact firsthand✔️ Spread the Word –
Share Louise’s story
Together, we can continue changing lives—one starfish at a time. 💙
📖 Learn more at Dominican Starfish Foundation.
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