Issuing A Challenge To All Visiting The Dr

[Scoobster]

Needed Items

I am going tonight to get my suitcase of school supplies. Is there anything that they need special right now? Or should I just stick with pencils ,pens ,paper and erasers oh and folders also.

Hello FloridaHick!

Its great to hear that you are on your way, and the supplies that you bring will be very much appreciated!

Here is a list of the items requested:


DONATIONS NEEDED

Top 10 Items Needed for 2004-2005
1. Children books in Spanish (These are what we really, really, really need!)
2. Chalk and erasers
3. Pencils (Both colored and regular)
4. Wall mounted pencil sharpeners (to affix to cement walls)
5.Puzzles (less than 90 pieces for ages 4-10)
6.Games (Examples: Dominoes, Checkers, Memory, Cards)
7.Construction paper
8.Glue
9.Flashcards (basic addition, subtraction and multiplication)
10. Notebooks

If you plan to bring supplies with you on your vacation, we suggest bringing colored felt pens, chalk, puzzles, maps, permanent markers, educational CD-ROMs in Spanish, dot to dot books (or other light newsprint books), educational audio cassettes, children's scissors, Lego educational sets, and Play-dough. These items are easier to find in the United States than in Cabarete. They are also light and easy to carry.


Once again, thank you for your kindness, and I am sure that itiwill return to you 2 fold!

It feels great to donate!
Cheers
Jimmy
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[FloridaHick]

If you plan to bring supplies with you on your vacation, we suggest bringing colored felt pens, chalk, puzzles, maps, permanent markers, educational CD-ROMs in Spanish, dot to dot books (or other light newsprint books), educational audio cassettes, children's scissors, Lego educational sets, and Play-dough. These items are easier to find in the United States than in Cabarete. They are also light and easy to carry.

Thank you. Now I have a better idea of what to bring. I will go to waly world tomarow moring and buy colored penciels chalk children scissors and stuff.

 

[Scoobster]

"Reach the Beach" Donation Drive

Thank you. Now I have a better idea of what to bring. I will go to waly world tomarow moring and buy colored penciels chalk children scissors and stuff.

Well FloridaHick...GOOD FOR YOU!
Glad to have helped!

We are having a "Reach the Beach" Donation Drive this year.

If interested, please follow the link!

www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[DianeK]

another donation

Thank you so much for this interesting and very helpful thread. My husband and i are going down Dec. 11 and have already started packing clothing that we will be leaving. i also now have a much better idea of all the other things i can bring down as well! I've just fired off an email to my spanish class to see if they could donate things that we can take down.

I really like the tips on how NOT to donate too. I guess these are things that i probably wouldn't have thought about! very helpful insights!

We will be in La Romana...does anyone know of an organization there that accepts donations of clothes and/or school supplies?

 

[Scoobster]

Working on it!

Thank you so much for this interesting and very helpful thread. My husband and i are going down Dec. 11 and have already started packing clothing that we will be leaving. i also now have a much better idea of all the other things i can bring down as well! I've just fired off an email to my spanish class to see if they could donate things that we can take down.

I really like the tips on how NOT to donate too. I guess these are things that i probably wouldn't have thought about! very helpful insights!

We will be in La Romana...does anyone know of an organization there that accepts donations of clothes and/or school supplies?

Diane;

I have the "feelers"out to se who, and where you may donate in this area.

I would reccomend that if there is no contact to be found, that you can contact a Excursion Company, while you are there, and they would be very happy to assist you.

The Outback Safari, and the Monster Truck Safari come to mind here.

I will keep checking for you, and hopefully if I come up empty, that one of the many great posters on this forum can assist with an answer, or suggestion.

Thanking you for your kind words, and your kind intent to help the children.

It Feels Great To Donate!
Cheers
Jimmy
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[UKJERRY]

Luggage Allowance

Hi everyone! I read on 'some' thread a while ago that somebody had a letter that could be produced at the airport asking the airline company to allow the extra weight for 'school supplies'!

I have packed an extra suitcase with allsorts of stuff I have bought and it weighs 20kg already !! I will be travelling to the RIU Merengue this Saturday in Bahia Maimon (sooooooo excited!!!!!!)

Many thanks

Jerry
UK

 

[FireGuy]

Hi Jerry,

Greetings from Atlantic Canada.

It's Scoobster who can provide the letter BUT...

in order to be effective this must be arranged with your Tour Operator or Air Carrier well before your flight date (usually several weeks in advance).

You can tell Scoobster (his name is Jimmy) when your flight date is but other than provide a letter which helps many arrange these things in advance, there is little or nothing else he can do at this late date.

Gregg

Moderator
Debbie's Dominican Travel Forums

Advisor
Debbie's Dominican Fiesta Committee
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[Snowbird]

Flight Info

Jerry,

I will send you the letter. Fill in the blanks and see what happens. Since you are staying at Riu Merengue, please contact Sr. Ramon Ripoll, hotel manager. Ramon is the Executive President of Fundacion Patria, an organization which is dedicated to assist the schools in the Puerto Plata area.

Thanks for your efforts.

SB

 

[Snowbird]

Info Needed

Jerry,
Please send me your email address, so I can send you the letter.

SB

 

[UKJERRY]

Airline letter

Jerry,
Please send me your email address, so I can send you the letter.

SB

I have sent my e-mail address to you direct SB, both as an e-mail and private message (?)

Many thanks

Jerry

(PS now only 3 days to go!!!) :laugh:

 

[Scoobster]

No worries Jerry

I have sent my e-mail address to you direct SB, both as an e-mail and private message (?)

Many thanks

Jerry

(PS now only 3 days to go!!!) :laugh:

Jerry.
E mail sent.
Will have your letter ASAP.

Good luck, and have a great vacation!

It feels great to donate!
Cheers
Jimmy
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[UKJERRY]

Airline Letter

Jerry.
E mail sent.
Will have your letter ASAP.

Good luck, and have a great vacation!

It feels great to donate!
Cheers
Jimmy
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

Details returned as requested!!

Many thanks Jimmy

 

[audboogie]

La Romana donations

To Diane or anyone else in La Romana,
I am going to be in LR also and going to donate supplies. I had asked this forum before if there was a "rep" of some sort, but got a reply of "no". But my husband is from La Romana so he is going to bring me to a school and donate, that way i get to even see the kids too . Let me know if you need any help or want to come!

 

[travelbest]

Punta cana donations??

We'll be Barcelo barvaro golf/casino over Christmas who and where do I send school stuff?

Thanks
Shelly

 

[Scoobster]

Travelbest

We'll be Barcelo barvaro golf/casino over Christmas who and where do I send school stuff?

Thanks
Shelly

Shelly!

We have a program running for this travel season, called "Reach the Beach", and it will be run in the Punta Cana area!!!

For more details, please go to the following link, and you will receive your connections!

http://fiesta.webcentre.ca/reachthebeach.htm

Thank you for your interest!

Cheers
Jimmy
Fiesta Committee Member
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[Scoobster]

To Diane or anyone else in La Romana,
I am going to be in LR also and going to donate supplies. I had asked this forum before if there was a "rep" of some sort, but got a reply of "no". But my husband is from La Romana so he is going to bring me to a school and donate, that way i get to even see the kids too . Let me know if you need any help or want to come!

Hey there audboogie!

If you find a reliable contact in the La Romana area, could you please forward the info, as we could also pass this on to other good posters, and travellers wishing to contribute in that area.

Thanking you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Cheers
Jimmy
Fiesta Committee Member
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[john cast]

contribute/involved

For anyone coming to Sosua, be aware that several local expats have formed a committee to provide help to the public elementary school. Virtually no enrichment in the school program. Books for the library, games to enrich the math program, and anything else that could help make learning more interesting for the children are sought.

Anyone coming to the Sosua area who would like to contribute to this school enrichment effort can contact me by email or PM.

my wife and my self will be comeing too sosua in jan /05 we will be down looking at real estate give me some lightwg items we can bring down with us
we would also like too get involved in some type of group,as we hope to be down a few times


john/jane

 

[Scoobster]

John and Jane;

With your interest being with the Sosua Children, you should try to PM Ken, with your message, or better yet, the best person for you to communicate with is Angie Wolff, who heads up the efforts for the organization.

Her e mail follows!

angie@internet.net.do

Thanks for your post, and I hope I have been of some assistance to you.

Good luck, and happy donating sir!

It Feels Great To Donate
Cheers
Jimmy
Fiesta Committee Member
www.fiesta.webcentre.ca

 

[BPL888]

Donations in Boca Chica/Andres

On my last two trips to Boca Chica I have brought a suitcase of paper/pens/pencils and various supplies directly to the school on Ave Decembre 20. While it was much appreciated and I plan to bring more on my next trip I have the feeling from talking to locals that there are other schools in the area or in the "campos" that possibly could use a share of the supplies as much or more than the school in Boca Chica. My lack of spanish prevented me from understanding where/ how to do that. Possibly through the church? I am, and have been told to be very wary of "middlemen". My lack of a car is also an issue. Does anyone have ideas as to other local schools (Andres ?) or how I could make sure it gets to those that need it most? Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks and keep up the good work.

 

[Scoobster]

On my last two trips to Boca Chica I have brought a suitcase of paper/pens/pencils and various supplies directly to the school on Ave Decembre 20. While it was much appreciated and I plan to bring more on my next trip I have the feeling from talking to locals that there are other schools in the area or in the "campos" that possibly could use a share of the supplies as much or more than the school in Boca Chica. My lack of spanish prevented me from understanding where/ how to do that. Possibly through the church? I am, and have been told to be very wary of "middlemen". My lack of a car is also an issue. Does anyone have ideas as to other local schools (Andres ?) or how I could make sure it gets to those that need it most? Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Thank you for the post, and it is great to read of the "want" to help the wonderful children of the Dominican.

With regards to your questions/comments, may I pass this information along to you, and others who wish to read it.

Now, by no means are we stating that all donations should go to the DREAM Project, rather, we wish that you ensure that your donations will reach their intended goal, which is the betterment of the children, and use by them.

We are currently setting up a program where-as we hope to join with other worthy organizations, and create a "Friends of the DREAM" group, so that we may reach more of the children, and spread the kindly donations from all of the great travellers!

Cheers
Jimmy
________________________________________________________________

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL PHILANTHROPHY

As travelers are becoming more socially conscious and responsible,
organizations like the DREAM Project are beginning to unite individual
tourists so that people of all cultural backgrounds are able to make a
lasting difference. Filling your suitcases with books for children and
joining trustworthy organizations, like the DREAM Project, is the best way
to make meaningful contributions to the people of the Dominican Republic.

DONATION PRACTICES TO AVOID

Unfortunately, throughout our existence we have seen many good intentioned
donations not only prove ineffective but become instruments of detriment to
our children.

The following list of practices should be avoided due to the unintentional
harmful consequences.

?Random gift giving: Gift giving to individual children that you do not
personally know can foster an attitude of dependency that, without
overstating the gravity of the situation, can become a way of life. Our
children will learn that it is all right to accept gifts from strangers and
in turn come to expect and demand these gifts, whether they be shoe shine
boys on the street or kids running after a tour bus.

?Spontaneous School Visits: Random school visits can disrupt classrooms. As
eager tourists snap pictures, the children become dehumanized, objectified,
and turned into objects of pity.

?Direct donations: Direct donations to schools can go unrecorded and never
find their way into classrooms or the hands of the needy children for whom
they are meant. Donations that are unaccounted for can be stolen for
personal use, stored away, or even thrown away.



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