Did you pack everything? There is an unassuming, a better word is austere, little public school by the side of the road in El Cortecito in the Bavaro/Punta Cana area. It is Escuela Premaria El Cortecito and it needs a little help. Why? It is one teacher for 100 plus students. She educates in Spartan conditions. Yes, there is education! However, how can the one maestra function as a teacher when she is also: headmistress, secretary, chief financial officer, engineer, janitor, nurse, referee, counselor, politician, fund-raiser and mother for her students without any tools, other than her own wits. My good wife and with some assistance yours truly have been donating time and some material goods for the education and other needs of the beautiful elementary students and this dedicated maestra. Yet, we feel our support is really not perfect. We want to do more. Yet, we can?t do it all. The school needs and would like some additional outside support. We just want to make it better for the maestra and her students.
The government does not have enough funds to properly support this school and many others like it in this country. You really wonder how it can function. Yet, there has been some assistance for the school from the local community. Paint and labor was donated to paint the exterior of the school and the local energy consortium has donated electricity for the lights.
The school does need a new latrine; the present one defies description. Also, better running water facilities are needed; the one outside tap is the source of all school water. These former items are being addressed and will get the needed attention, come hell or high water. There are other physical needs for the school; like an office, more classroom space, desks, bookcases, and a fence. They are on the future list of things to be accomplished.
Right now, it is the small day-to-day items, simple things that are needed to help make this school get on with its mission. They are as follows: chalk, pencils, pencil sharpeners, plastic scissors, magic markers, erasers, small paper notepads, sticky notes, colored paper, clear adhesive tape, paper clips, paste, blank labels, eight-ten pack crayons, flash cards, elementary level books in Spanish, maps in Spanish, soap, paper towels, facial and toilet tissue, little sticky stars to put on the foreheads of the 100 plus star students and any other supply you may think of. Nothing will be refused. Also, a little bit of cash helps, but not a whole lot, 10 or 20 pesos at best, just enough to pay for some daily incidentals.
If you are visiting the Punta Cana/Bavaro area and would like to help, everyone knows where the Escuela Premaria El Cortecito is located. It is right on the bus route near the Hotel Carabela and H10 Bavaro Resorts on the way to Plaza Bavaro. You will know the school is open when the national flag is flying on the flagpole. Even if you don?t bring anything but yourself, your attention is welcome and you will be rewarded. The students and maestra will warmly welcome you. Remember, even if you are not in the Punta Cana/Bavaro area, most any public school in the country would welcome your attention.
Did you pack everything? Regards, PJT
The government does not have enough funds to properly support this school and many others like it in this country. You really wonder how it can function. Yet, there has been some assistance for the school from the local community. Paint and labor was donated to paint the exterior of the school and the local energy consortium has donated electricity for the lights.
The school does need a new latrine; the present one defies description. Also, better running water facilities are needed; the one outside tap is the source of all school water. These former items are being addressed and will get the needed attention, come hell or high water. There are other physical needs for the school; like an office, more classroom space, desks, bookcases, and a fence. They are on the future list of things to be accomplished.
Right now, it is the small day-to-day items, simple things that are needed to help make this school get on with its mission. They are as follows: chalk, pencils, pencil sharpeners, plastic scissors, magic markers, erasers, small paper notepads, sticky notes, colored paper, clear adhesive tape, paper clips, paste, blank labels, eight-ten pack crayons, flash cards, elementary level books in Spanish, maps in Spanish, soap, paper towels, facial and toilet tissue, little sticky stars to put on the foreheads of the 100 plus star students and any other supply you may think of. Nothing will be refused. Also, a little bit of cash helps, but not a whole lot, 10 or 20 pesos at best, just enough to pay for some daily incidentals.
If you are visiting the Punta Cana/Bavaro area and would like to help, everyone knows where the Escuela Premaria El Cortecito is located. It is right on the bus route near the Hotel Carabela and H10 Bavaro Resorts on the way to Plaza Bavaro. You will know the school is open when the national flag is flying on the flagpole. Even if you don?t bring anything but yourself, your attention is welcome and you will be rewarded. The students and maestra will warmly welcome you. Remember, even if you are not in the Punta Cana/Bavaro area, most any public school in the country would welcome your attention.
Did you pack everything? Regards, PJT
