Welcome to all...!
¡Bienvenidos Todos !
The best gift is to teach them languages. Since we live close to the tourist
area, this will provide them an opportunity to work and make a decent living."
Location:
Muñoz, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Number of inhabitants, 14,000 with lots
of children Languages spoken by our staff: English, French, German, Spanish, Creole.
Languages spoken in the community: Spanish and Creole (Haitian)
Working spaces:
Lots of fields, fresh water and open air. There are Catholic and Christian churches,
many of which would be available for teaching spaces or meetings, etc. In Muñoz,
there is a Community Center (centro sanitario) and also a Youth Center (centro de
integracion juvenil). Ideally, arrangements could be made to work with these government
establishments.
Specifications:
- There is a Dominican but also a Haitian Community, each with their own unique cultures.
- Illiteracy is a big issue here, for adults and children.
- Children: They need some organization. Many are in the street doing nothing.
We just need to set a schedule for them.
If the parents cannot afford the uniform and books for school they are left on the street running after the tourists who occasionally come in the village on horse and buggy.
We need to provide some motivation and inspiration for them to see themselves as more than this. Help them discover their potential. - Adults: Lots of woman alone struggling to feed their babies. Lots of men
with no work, no profession, no knowledge.
Alcoholism and drugs and cock fights. The money could be used in a wiser way. We need to heighten their awareness and attempt to raise the basic standard of living. - Mentality of locals: They are the friendliest of people, open minded, very
welcoming to any help coming from outsiders.
They are a warm people, sharing and full of generosity with much to offer each other and the world in terms of culture, and common decency.