Sylvia Berkley of the Stichting Help Sosúakids naar School recently returned to Sosúa (after eight months in Europe) to see how things were going with the two projects that her foundation supports.
A cheque for 5890 euro was given to the Sosúa Kids Org., which will be used to fund both projects.
1.The Sosúa Kids Org. project purchases school uniforms and learning aids for poor children, so they can attend a public school.
2. Colegio Evangelico Asher is a private school for poor Dominican children and Haitian refugees who are not eligible to attend public school, where teachers also give evening classes for mothers/ grandmothers of students (teaching them to read and write).
This money pays for teachers' salaries, food and clothing.
Sosúa Kids
Unfortunately it was not possible to visit all the schools involved, due to the heavy rains.
When the weather is this bad, children often cannot go to school, because the roads are impassable.
The Sosúa Kids Org. in the DR will soon become an official charitable foundation, which is good news.
There is considerable progress at the Colegio Evangelico Asher school, where around 200 children are registered, along with around 40 mothers.
Children with learning difficulties (such as dyslexia) also receive extra attention here.
The school hopes to have a 'camioneta' available soon, so they can transport the children to and from school.
Sylvia supervised the application for this vehicle via the Dutch Stichting Miva.
Everyone was delighted when Miva approved the application and agreed to pay most of the costs for the camioneta.
Sosúa Kids
The remainder still needs to be raised, and Sylvia hopes that faithful Sosúa-News readers, who know the situation in the DR, will be prepared to donate something towards the last 800 euro.
Visitors to Sosúa often write about the poverty in Sosúa and the surrounding areas, but the Stichting Help Sosúakids naar School allows everyone to make a specific contribution towards a better future for these poor children.
Tourists often have no idea how little Dominicans earn.
For example, if you take a day trip somewhere, the guide and the driver only earn about 5 euro each for a whole day's work.
Tips from the tourists help to boost their meagre earnings.
Hotel personnel often earn about the same.
However, despite the economic crisis, Sylvia remains hopeful that everyone will continue to support these poor and underprivileged children.
Access to education will give them a much better chance in life.
Bankaccount number: 57.27.39.818 (Weesp)
BICnumber bankaccount: ABNANL2A
