Soon after I arrived to this Country my kids came for a 10 day visit. As kids are, they quickly made friends with kids living in the apartment building where I first lived near Sosua. After they left, these kids, especially two little girls of 7 years of age by now and their family remained friendly with me. Over the last year this friendship has grown to almost a family style relationship. We go to see their grandpa in San Juan (South), go to the river and beach together, make sancocho etc.
Yes, they are humildes but, probably because I came into their life thru the children they have treated me equal and never really asked me for anything.
One of the girls, has a "godfather" in the US who is doing the great thing of paying for school at the Sosua Int'l School in La Mulata. As many of you may know, this in not only said to be a good school but also quite expensive at over USD 500.oo a month.
The other one, well, she does not directly belong to the family. It's one of those typical stories of a kid who was taken over by one family because the mother has 3 others all from different fathers of which only 2 have taken their responsibilities serious and care for their offspring. She, of course was not one of the lucky ones.
As she is not "bringing in any money" she is welcome to food and sharing a bed with the other one... but obviously, that's about it.
There is also no school for her... after all, she is only a girl (don't need school) and sentenced to be poor (know where you belong!).
I can't argue with the family, I can't change the world or only this country but I am trying to get her in a decent school.
So, I went and looked at the public school in her neighborhood... and went out 10 seconds later shaking my head... forgitaboutit... the last birthday party we had was quiter and more civilized.
I checked out the two most recommended private schools on the South side of Sosua and only then learned how generous the first girl's "godfather" is. I can't do that.
But last Sunday, a lady inadvertently backed her car into my truck, creating a minor damage on my vehicle. She was very sorry and went to great lengths trying to resolve the issue fairly. So, we talked and she mentioned a private school in the bar and nite club sector of El Batey (as you may realized, I try not to use names, yet). Her kid goes there and she pays 2000 Pesos a month. Now, I CAN do that! If I can safe a kid that has given me it's unconditional child love.. for 60 Dollars a month, I'll gladly do it.
I went down there three days ago and talked to a secretary in their offices and told her the whole story, just as you read it here.
Her first concern obviously was, that the girl was at an age where she should go into 2nd grade but never had attended school. I immediately answered that I agreed that she needed to go into 1st grade. Then, she indicated that their 1st grade students are already "aphabetisados", which is yet not her case. I answered that if they would take her for 1st grade this year, I would see to it that she would be put up to speed by the end of August... either a tutor or even I would take it upon me to get her ready.
So, I was told that she would comment to the director and call me next day.
Well, she did call, yesterday, and told me that the response was negative. I asked why and she explained that first because she was not prepared to enter 1st grade, to which I replied that I had stated that I would get her prepared.
But now comes the what really ticked me off big time:
She went on to say that they wouldn't consider her because "es una nina de estas"! I asked what she meant, after all, the girl is 7 so what kind of girl can she be? Well, that she is one of these girls who has no family!
Now keep in mind, this coming from a Dominican secretary and what by the name would seem to be a Dominican director of a school which has been build by the people of which most where orphans or their families otherwise ripped apart by the Nazis!
I asked to have a meeting and was promised I would get a call back to schedule a meeting. Yet, not to my surprise, I have not received any calls.
I am not prepared to let this argumentation count. I think it is offensive towards the Dominican society and the memory of the people who founded a school like this one.
And still, I am looking for a real solution to have this girl put thru school so that she will get a real chance in life and history won't repeat itself.
So, if you all have not already fallen asleep over this overly long post, I am looking for help helping this girl.
... J-D.
Yes, they are humildes but, probably because I came into their life thru the children they have treated me equal and never really asked me for anything.
One of the girls, has a "godfather" in the US who is doing the great thing of paying for school at the Sosua Int'l School in La Mulata. As many of you may know, this in not only said to be a good school but also quite expensive at over USD 500.oo a month.
The other one, well, she does not directly belong to the family. It's one of those typical stories of a kid who was taken over by one family because the mother has 3 others all from different fathers of which only 2 have taken their responsibilities serious and care for their offspring. She, of course was not one of the lucky ones.
As she is not "bringing in any money" she is welcome to food and sharing a bed with the other one... but obviously, that's about it.
There is also no school for her... after all, she is only a girl (don't need school) and sentenced to be poor (know where you belong!).
I can't argue with the family, I can't change the world or only this country but I am trying to get her in a decent school.
So, I went and looked at the public school in her neighborhood... and went out 10 seconds later shaking my head... forgitaboutit... the last birthday party we had was quiter and more civilized.
I checked out the two most recommended private schools on the South side of Sosua and only then learned how generous the first girl's "godfather" is. I can't do that.
But last Sunday, a lady inadvertently backed her car into my truck, creating a minor damage on my vehicle. She was very sorry and went to great lengths trying to resolve the issue fairly. So, we talked and she mentioned a private school in the bar and nite club sector of El Batey (as you may realized, I try not to use names, yet). Her kid goes there and she pays 2000 Pesos a month. Now, I CAN do that! If I can safe a kid that has given me it's unconditional child love.. for 60 Dollars a month, I'll gladly do it.
I went down there three days ago and talked to a secretary in their offices and told her the whole story, just as you read it here.
Her first concern obviously was, that the girl was at an age where she should go into 2nd grade but never had attended school. I immediately answered that I agreed that she needed to go into 1st grade. Then, she indicated that their 1st grade students are already "aphabetisados", which is yet not her case. I answered that if they would take her for 1st grade this year, I would see to it that she would be put up to speed by the end of August... either a tutor or even I would take it upon me to get her ready.
So, I was told that she would comment to the director and call me next day.
Well, she did call, yesterday, and told me that the response was negative. I asked why and she explained that first because she was not prepared to enter 1st grade, to which I replied that I had stated that I would get her prepared.
But now comes the what really ticked me off big time:
She went on to say that they wouldn't consider her because "es una nina de estas"! I asked what she meant, after all, the girl is 7 so what kind of girl can she be? Well, that she is one of these girls who has no family!
Now keep in mind, this coming from a Dominican secretary and what by the name would seem to be a Dominican director of a school which has been build by the people of which most where orphans or their families otherwise ripped apart by the Nazis!
I asked to have a meeting and was promised I would get a call back to schedule a meeting. Yet, not to my surprise, I have not received any calls.
I am not prepared to let this argumentation count. I think it is offensive towards the Dominican society and the memory of the people who founded a school like this one.
And still, I am looking for a real solution to have this girl put thru school so that she will get a real chance in life and history won't repeat itself.
So, if you all have not already fallen asleep over this overly long post, I am looking for help helping this girl.
... J-D.