It is that time again! Strength for the Journey has completed registration for the next school year and all classes are full.
We must be doing something right because our student body is a rich mix of children from all social and economic means. About half of our children are from professional families. What makes me happy is that almost 1/2 of the children are extremely poor or from lower middle class families.
And to make it even richer, we have American children, Dominican children, German children, a little girl whose father is Chinese, and several Haitians.
None of these children were recruited. The parents came and asked that their child is enrolled. Three of the children live not in the Pueblo of Jamao, but other communities. Our small passenger bus will provide them with transportation, as these children require scholarships.
Here is the difficulty. Ten of the children either come from families with absolutely no income or a family income of 12,000 pesos or less. The only way it will be possible for the children to be part of our little school is if someone will sponsor them with a scholarship.
Even with a scholarship, we require our families to pay a token amount. Additionally, they are required to attend 4 parenting classes with us and volunteer once a week in the school. No one can take without also giving.
It costs about $40 USD (2,500 pesos) per child monthly to attend our classes. Actually this cost is a discount because the foundation also supports the school , offsetting salary costs for 4 of the employees. Still, we have expenses for materials such as crayons, pencils, paper, glue, etc., and snack expenses.
We believe that the only true path out of poverty is through education. If you would like to help us with this mission by sponsoring one or more children, please let me know. For American donors we can provide a tax receipt.
You are always welcome to visit us and see what we do and the children you support. I can also give you a photo of your child and tell you a bit about him or her.
I apologize for making this a lengthy post. But I feel a complete explanation and transparency is critical.
To those of you who provided scholarships last year, some of the children have “graduated” and will move into the public school system. We will continue to support them by providing transportation to the little school they will be attending and I am committed to do volunteer teaching in that school twice a week.
If you are able to help a child or two, let me know here or though a message, and I will give you additional information.
Thank you for being Strength for the Journey. Without you we could never accomplish what we do.
Lindsey
We must be doing something right because our student body is a rich mix of children from all social and economic means. About half of our children are from professional families. What makes me happy is that almost 1/2 of the children are extremely poor or from lower middle class families.
And to make it even richer, we have American children, Dominican children, German children, a little girl whose father is Chinese, and several Haitians.
None of these children were recruited. The parents came and asked that their child is enrolled. Three of the children live not in the Pueblo of Jamao, but other communities. Our small passenger bus will provide them with transportation, as these children require scholarships.
Here is the difficulty. Ten of the children either come from families with absolutely no income or a family income of 12,000 pesos or less. The only way it will be possible for the children to be part of our little school is if someone will sponsor them with a scholarship.
Even with a scholarship, we require our families to pay a token amount. Additionally, they are required to attend 4 parenting classes with us and volunteer once a week in the school. No one can take without also giving.
It costs about $40 USD (2,500 pesos) per child monthly to attend our classes. Actually this cost is a discount because the foundation also supports the school , offsetting salary costs for 4 of the employees. Still, we have expenses for materials such as crayons, pencils, paper, glue, etc., and snack expenses.
We believe that the only true path out of poverty is through education. If you would like to help us with this mission by sponsoring one or more children, please let me know. For American donors we can provide a tax receipt.
You are always welcome to visit us and see what we do and the children you support. I can also give you a photo of your child and tell you a bit about him or her.
I apologize for making this a lengthy post. But I feel a complete explanation and transparency is critical.
To those of you who provided scholarships last year, some of the children have “graduated” and will move into the public school system. We will continue to support them by providing transportation to the little school they will be attending and I am committed to do volunteer teaching in that school twice a week.
If you are able to help a child or two, let me know here or though a message, and I will give you additional information.
Thank you for being Strength for the Journey. Without you we could never accomplish what we do.
Lindsey
