Current Projects

The last few posts I wrote were all about recent events from my barrio. My bad. I should probably share a little of what I’m actually working on. 

So here’s what’s happening here as of late, in no particular order, just as I remember it:

1. Started English classes recently. Continuing with the same students I had for the fall/winter session with a few newbies, too. Since getting back from my Christmas visit at home, I’ve bumped into students around town who ask “When are English classes starting? Next week, right?” Ahorita, no te preocupes. Te aviso. So several weeks of fielding that and similar conversations everyday. Then teachers from my school sent me a few new recruits for students, too. Despite all these students wanting to have class, I held off on starting for a little while because I kept thinking back to the last session of English (80 students total for 8 classes a week. English class for everyone and their mom, quite literally. Remember this story?). Not that it was bad - not at all, it was English, easy, enjoyable - I just felt like there were too many students, too many classes and I didn’t have time for much else in terms of projects. I didn’t want  to go into it that way again. So I’m continuing now with fewer students than before, namely - the English class die-hards, who always came to every class (even on the rainy days). So far so good.

2. At school, we’re working on getting more materials and resources for each of the classrooms. It’s a big project, and we’re going classroom by classroom, first getting the materials and then training the teachers in how to use them with the students. The materials are mostly handmade so far (been busy with that in recent weeks; arts and crafts - yes!). And a big focus for this project is the Montessori approach, (my project partner is very knowledgable about this method and really into it!). Montessori is a teaching style that focuses primarily on the individual learning and progress of the student, with an emphasis in hands-on, experience-based learning. *(Still learning, so if anyone wants to share some Montessori insight with me, please do!)* In the States I know the Montessori Method is used often in Pre-schools as well as in Special Education, but there are also entire schools for students of all ages dedicated to this type of learning in the US. In the DR, there are schools in the capital with this teaching approach, but not many elsewhere in the country. For this, many Montessori materials are expensive to get, and are for the most part all purchased from the States. That’s also why a lot of our materials are made by hand so far. I’m in the process of writing a funding proposal for the materials my project partner wants, and in the mean time have been hand-making the ones I can. I’m excited because I really feel this project is a feasible way I can help out the teachers and students in a long-term way. Once the school has the materials, we’ll train the teachers how to incorporate them with the students. I think this hands-on, more individualized learning approach is perfect for the students at my school, and feel lucky to be working with them and with a project partner that really values educating the students according to different learning styles. 

3. A fellow PC volunteer, Charlie, and I are doing an Escojo youth group in the barrio. Escojo Mi Vida (“I choose my life”) is a health group focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention as well as building self-esteem, avoiding early pregnancies, etc. It’s also a good chance for kids to get together, learn and use time constructively. Once they graduate the course, the goal is for them to form their own groups to teach other kids about the same things they learned. I’m excited to be working with youth in the neighborhood on more defined groups/projects because they’re really good kids! We’ve had about 3 meetings, and all has been pretty smooth so far.

4. Just after we went to organize the youth and get them pumped for our Escojo youth group, they started a second youth group in the barrio with weekly meetings. Coincidence? Or maybe the idea of a neighborhood youth group was exciting enough to spark enthusiasm for another? Either way, now there’re two groups, mostly made up of the same kids, haha. Their leader, Yina, a mom of one of the youth, as well as one of the donas in the barrio that I’m close to, asked me to help organize and come to the meetings for this group. So I’ve been doing that. The kids had a fundraiser pool party a couple weeks ago - they all made different dishes to sell, and charged money for the kids to enter and use the neighborhood pool. It was for their family and friends in our small barrio, and they made nearly 3,500 pesos in a matter of a few hours! 

5. Also, I’ve been keeping up with weekly meetings and staying informed with the junta de vecinos (host dad’s neighborhood group). I think I know pretty well what people here in my neighborhood want (well, usually) and what the main issues/general needs are that I’ve heard about since day one (old posts re: electricity, roads, community center), and I try to be present and supportive with these discussions. But am frustrated because even though I’m there for all of it, I haven’t settled on something specific I can give them/help with/make happen in terms of what they want. I see the lack of roads, meeting center, and safe electricity and agree, “Yes, you should all have these things.” I just haven’t figured out which I should be working towards - which is an annoying thought to be writing out. Vamos a ver.

More or less. Now some pictures:

From the youth group's Pool Party Fundraiser:

My neighbor and baby lambs!

Pictures from School:

XO

Feliz Dia de San Valentin! <3 Happy Valentine’s Day.