The chairwoman and founder of the Dutch foundation 'Help Sosúa Kids go to school', Sylvia Berkely, has recently visited Sosúa once again.
She stayed at Casa Marina, where she is slowly becoming a well-known personality.
Sylvia has again raised a fair amount of money from her sponsors in the Netherlands.
Sylvia and kids
Although the amount was the same as on her last visit, Sylvia is worried about the consequences of the economic crisis for her foundation.
But luckily the money was enough to pay the teachers' salaries at 'Colegio Evangelico Asher' for the next few months.
This is a school project for children born to primarily Haitian parents, who live in the ghettos opposite the Air Force base close to the airport.
These children have no birth certificates and are not registered at the town hall, and therefore they have no right to use the free public school system in this country.
Judith, a qualified lawyer (and practising Christian) and her husband Roberto started the (kindergarten and primary) schools back in 2006.
They found some sort of school building and good teachers who were prepared to take a low salary.
Luckily they came in contact with Sylvia, and she raised money in the Netherlands (from friends and acquaintances) to support this project.
Now that there are more pupils and teachers, a new (and better) school building has been found.
A group of American volunteers has painted the inside of the school, which is now very nice.
Teachers and students at the school, together with environmentally conscious local residents, have cleaned up the stinking illegal rubbish dump close to the school, and have taken measures to prevent more waste being dumped there.
During her visit to the school, Sylvia noticed that the many traumatised children feel so welcome and safe at the school, and that is exactly what she wants to achieve.
The Dutch foundation MIVA has already helped this year to buy a second-hand pick-up to transport students, as well as to transport the food that makes up their free daily meal.
However, this is not the only project that Sylvia's foundation supports.
The 'Sosúa Kids Foundation' is also active in Sosúa.
Sylvia and kids
This year around 300 children have been given free school uniforms and books purchased via Sosúa Kids, and a few students even go to university.
Part of the money raised by Sylvia is used to ensure that these poor children also go get a proper education.
If you'd like further information on the good work achieved by Sylvia's foundation, check out the website:
www.sosuakids2school.nl
