Okay. So maybe this thread is not what you expected when you clicked on it. If Mods choose to move it, I am not offended. However, there are lots of good things going on in the Sosua area and they don't all involve alternative activities. Or maybe this is an alternative activity.....
My foundation, Strength for the Journey, has been operating in Sosua (working on the North Coast for almost 10 years) for almost a year now. We completed construction on an unfinished church that agreed to share the space in order for us to provide educational activities for kids from Monday through Thursday. These activities include homework help sessions, education via technology (25 iPads and laptops loaded with educational apps,) guitar, bongo and singing classes, (we provide the instruments) art class, and ballet. And we have a small children's lending library of books. All these activities are free to lower class Dominican and some Haitian kids in Sosua.
The parents of most these kids are not at home during the late afternoon/evening hours. If the kids did not engage in classes at our center, they would be out on the street. When our activities end, that is where I see some of them go. Perhaps some of "our" kids are children of the prostitutes or women friends whom the men on DR1 or elsewhere come to visit.
Tonight we had our first ballet class. It was a joy for me to see the 13 and 14 year-olds, placed next to the 6 and 7 year olds, yet respecting the discipline, gaining self esteem, learning what healthy activities are available for them, and challenging their bodies. Sadly, I knew two of the girls would leave the class to go on the street. Afterwards, as I returned home, I passed 6 more of "our" kids hanging out after dark.
Anyway, I go home tired each night, but knowing that good has been done. I am not doing this alone. Over the months and years, volunteers have helped to build this initiative. People from the North Coast and all over the world have donated money, art supplies, musical instruments, books, consultation services, and ballet clothes. These individuals do not write on dr1 what they do. They just dig in and help out. They are the unsung heroes.
So that is the other side of Sosua, the one you don't always hear about, the Sosua that many here slam the town officials for working to support.
When visitors leave, these are the individuals still here to pick up the pieces and help out those that have been left behind...the people working for a better Sosua.
I apologize for the length of this. Perhaps most won't read it. If you did, know that you are a better person for being aware of what goes on behind the scenes. Thank you.
~ Lindsey
My foundation, Strength for the Journey, has been operating in Sosua (working on the North Coast for almost 10 years) for almost a year now. We completed construction on an unfinished church that agreed to share the space in order for us to provide educational activities for kids from Monday through Thursday. These activities include homework help sessions, education via technology (25 iPads and laptops loaded with educational apps,) guitar, bongo and singing classes, (we provide the instruments) art class, and ballet. And we have a small children's lending library of books. All these activities are free to lower class Dominican and some Haitian kids in Sosua.
The parents of most these kids are not at home during the late afternoon/evening hours. If the kids did not engage in classes at our center, they would be out on the street. When our activities end, that is where I see some of them go. Perhaps some of "our" kids are children of the prostitutes or women friends whom the men on DR1 or elsewhere come to visit.
Tonight we had our first ballet class. It was a joy for me to see the 13 and 14 year-olds, placed next to the 6 and 7 year olds, yet respecting the discipline, gaining self esteem, learning what healthy activities are available for them, and challenging their bodies. Sadly, I knew two of the girls would leave the class to go on the street. Afterwards, as I returned home, I passed 6 more of "our" kids hanging out after dark.
Anyway, I go home tired each night, but knowing that good has been done. I am not doing this alone. Over the months and years, volunteers have helped to build this initiative. People from the North Coast and all over the world have donated money, art supplies, musical instruments, books, consultation services, and ballet clothes. These individuals do not write on dr1 what they do. They just dig in and help out. They are the unsung heroes.
So that is the other side of Sosua, the one you don't always hear about, the Sosua that many here slam the town officials for working to support.
When visitors leave, these are the individuals still here to pick up the pieces and help out those that have been left behind...the people working for a better Sosua.
I apologize for the length of this. Perhaps most won't read it. If you did, know that you are a better person for being aware of what goes on behind the scenes. Thank you.
~ Lindsey
