Dolls help little girls learn life's big lessons

To dozens of young girls in the Dolls Tea program, a doll is more than a beautiful toy. It's a treasure that has opened their eyes to a new world. It's also helped them realize the importance of family and friends.

Helena Gibbs, who founded and coordinates Dolls Tea, uses dolls from her own collection. “The idea for the program came during a dream,” she says. “I asked God why I was collecting all these dolls, and the answer came to me as clear as day. I was meant to give them to the girls.”

That was two years ago and now there are nearly 70 girls ages 6 to 12 taking part in the Dolls Tea program sponsored by Delmarva Clergy United in Social Action in Ellendale. Each doll has a Biblical name, and the girls do research to learn the story behind each character. There's Ruth, Eve and Rebekah. “It's amazing what they learn,” Gibbs said.

She said the girls treat the doll like a real person who helps them learn life skills such as hygiene, first aid, safety skills and even basic cooking skills. Above all else, Gibbs says, they stress good manners and respect for all people.

Now the girls get rave reviews for their manners every time they go on an outing.

“Believe me, they were not like that when they first came. We had to train them that we are all one family and everyone should be treated the same,” Gibbs said.

They also work on academics, provide family events and take trips.

Gibbs said many of the girls are alone when they get home from school. “We want them to learn to stay safe and to even prepare a light meal,” Gibbs said.

Recently, two sisters helped their mother who was choking thanks to what they learned in the program.

Girls come from a wide area in southern Delaware including Seaford, Milford, Milton, Bridgeville, Lincoln and Ellendale in Sussex County and Dover and Harrington in Kent County.

There are still many dolls available to be adopted; they overlook Gibbs as she sits at her office desk. Gibbs said her goal is to grow the program to include 100 girls. She says girls are rewarded for bringing friends to the program.

The program has opened the girls' eyes to the world around them; for many that world has been very small.

Fund raising to pay for outings is a big part of the program. “We want to take the girls places they have never been before,” Gibbs said. “They are not used to going places, and now they really work hard to raise money so they can go.”

And that's not hard. On a recent trip to the Movies at Midway, Gibbs asked a busload of girls how many had been to see a movie. “Only four or five girls raised their hands,” Gibbs said.

The girls spent the night at the Hampton Inn in Milford; no girls had ever been in a hotel.

They have set a lofty goal of raising money to travel to Disney World sometime in 2016. “They are motivated. They are really excited about going next year, but if we can't raise the money we can always go the following year,” Gibbs said.

Bake sales have become their major fundraiser, but they also have car washes, a fashion show and solicit donations.

The Christmas season is important as the girls learn the importance of sharing and giving. Gibbs' office was filled to overflowing with wrapped Christmas presents the girls purchased for their parents. There were also gifts wrapped for each of the girls.

After they graduate from the Dolls Tea program, girls can take part in a program designed for teens, but, Gibbs said, the girls love the program and don't want to leave it. “They start to get upset when they turn 12 years old,” she said.

Dolls Tea: A safe place to grow into teenagers

Dolls Tea mission statement: “Create a safe gathering place for young girls to develop into positive and successful teenagers. We would equip them for their ministry in this challenging world.”

Delmarva Clergy offers varied programming

Founded in 1986 at the site Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church, 13726 S. Old State Road in Ellendale, Delmarva Clergy United in Social Action provides a variety of programs and services including a temporary shelter for women and children, a childcare center, youth and teen programs, emergency transportation, transitional housing, clothing closet, food program and soup kitchen, computer training, GED and English as a second language classes. Check out their Facebook page for more information.