bringing school supplies

sorry for going off topic.

jrzyguy, you ever stayed at Europa, and are you in the insurance business? (i might've met you)

My daughter and I did this a while ago. We got some other things that I knew (from years in the classroom) would also be useful. You could get crayons, colored pencils (don't forget little sharpeners), school scissors, primary paper (and fat pencils for little ones learning to write), art materials (construction paper, water colors, art block paper, finger paints), CHALK (what is available here is terrible), stickers (kids love them) and for older kids compasses, protractors, rulers etc.

I'm Glad This is Catching On !!

For the thread you were looking for search "Boca Chica" and look at 2/5/05 posts. I have brought large suitcases of supplies to the school in Boca Chica three times in the last few years and they are very appreciative. I will not repeat the other post but can add that I have never been asked any questions at customs, but I was prepared with the name of the school and the Director (Principal). Escuela Elvira Mendoza, Profesora Hilda Gutierez,809-523-6045. I have always asked them what they need most (thru an interpreter) and they promise to e-mail me a list, but in true Dominican style I never get the list. I think this is as much the fault of my interpreter friend as it is the schools. I brought writing paper and computer paper (very heavy) ,pens, pencils, chalk, erasers, tape, rulers in millimeters, calculators, math flash cards and markers and a few childrens books in spanish. While they assure me that all of this is much needed and very,very much appreciated, on the latest trip in January they seemed most pleased with the chalk and the flash cards and they expressed interest in any childrens books in spanish and a spanish/english dictionary. I can tell you that the visit to the school is the highlight of my trip and look forward to my next trip to see them in March. Please try to make an appointment so as not to be disruptive to the classes and tell Profesora Gutierez ( a short woman with grey hair) that Senor Brian sends his regards. Good luck and thank you for trying to help.

Stickers

I mean those smiling faces, pictures of animals and flowers and cartoon characters that kids LOVE to get on their corrected papers when they are very good. Even my students now (ages 15-33) love them!

Say hi to Hilda.

I've been there and when introducing myself and later having some other
classes I recall missing proper and updated maps...

That apart I concentrated on specific families of friends I had there.
Uniforms, bags etc were always a source of worry as they were quite
expensive. Next time I go down there, if ever, I'll ditch my old laptop with
my "family" - they quite fancied both Delta Force 2 and MechWarrior.

Furthermore, if one is shamelessly lazy like me, one can consider buying
it in Santo Domingo or elsewhere. That way one save oneself from
a whole lot of carrying and potential hassle in customs. Surely decent
stuff can be found and bought somewhere there???? Then again, perhaps
not.

school supplies

jrzyguy: I used to bring large garbage bags full of toys and gifts for the kids in BC area so they could have a sort of Christmas then switched to school supplies. I have since learned that it's more effective to either buy everything in the DR or, even better, there are people both in BC and Sosua who are more directly connected to the real and immediate needs of the children. As an example : $35.00 U.S. will buy books, supplies and a uniform for a child to be able to attend school for one year!! Schools are free for all Dominicans however they must have a uniform and a backpack. Given directly to the family means that the parent must make a decision between food or books. Guess which wins?
Anyway you choose to go is wonderful. Just remember " The gift is in the giving ".
John