Trip Report

On March 12th, I left for 9 days in the Dominican Republic. It was my Spring break and I was able to get time off from work to be able to go down.

It was a very short trip and the days seemed to fly by as I divide my time between visiting friends, interviewing future students, and running around the city by motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) to do errands. I was able to get in some beach days too, which were significant in more ways than one.

One of the families who I am very close with, is the Laguerre family. Three of their children will be attending our school in September, and I hope to provide another one with a scholarship. I first met Majembe and Bebi on the beach almost four year ago. They were trying to sell seashells to tourists, a common job among many of the kids from Padre Granero.

One afternoon, we decided to bring a total of 12 kids to Sosua beach, about 20 minutes away. None of the children are currently in school, so our beach day took place on a Tuesday. Most of the kids will be attending Collège Amélioration Jeunesse, so it was nice to spend some quality time with them. I had already been to this beach with two of the kids before, but for the rest of them it was their first time. We brought floaties, chips, soda, and peanut butter sandwiches. The kids had a great time playing in the water and snacking all day long.

Ibelina

Jhon

While we were drying up from swimming, a young boy selling mangoes approached us. It was ironic in the sense that had we not taken the kids to the beach, most of them would be on the b back in Puerto Plata doing the same thing-selling candy, shinning shoes, and begging. The reality for many impoverished children in the Dominican Republic is that they are denied an education because of the poverty they live in. They are forced to work in order to earn a bit of money, to help support themselves and their families.

Being back in Puerto Plata was amazing. Being able to see everyone and preparing for the school's opening is not only motivating while I am there, but it inspires me to work harder when I am back in Canada to make sure that this dream can turns into a reality for so many deserving children.




Throughout my trip I was constantly reminded of how desperately the school is needed. Almost everywhere I went children could be found- outside of gas stations, near restaurants begging for leftovers, etc. No child deserves to be working instead of in school, and it is only with a quality education that they will be able to break the cycle of poverty they were born into.

How "From Trash to a Class" Started

It was spring time and I was at the dentist's office for my yearly teeth cleaning. As I was coming out of the building, I noticed an empty Pepsi bottle on the ground. Before then, I had thought about the idea of collecting bottles and cans as a way of earning money for charity. I always ended up coming to the conclusion that it would be a lot of effort and not much gain. After all, a can or plastic soda bottle only brings in 0.5 cents.

On this spring day, I decided something different. I thought to myself that I might as well try it out, and would start with the empty Pepsi bottle in front of me. After then, I started to become more aware of the empty cans all around, left on buses or on the sidewalk. I carried a plastic grocery bag in my pocket and picked up whatever was on my trail. 

To date, I have collected 1,948 bottles and cans, which is $97.40. Considering that I thought I would collect 100 cans, and become discouraged(since it would only be $5), I am very encouraged at how well I have done so far! This was only possible because of friends, family, and neighbours who decided that this was an important cause and help me out by donating their empty bottles and cans.

The success of this fundraiser really depends on everyone, which is why I think it is so great. I have set my goal high, to collect 500,000 empty bottles and cans. This would not only provide start-up costs for Collège Amélioration Jeunesse, but it would allow the school to run for an entire year without the need for outside donations.  

As of today, we are 498,052 bottles and cans away from our goal. Can you help lower this number? 

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