Escuela de Educacion Basica Villa del Poder, Pantoja
)
Pantoja street
While many of the residents in Pantoja live in poverty, they are healthier than they once were, due to the installation of a water purification system through a partnership with the Pantoja community including Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I., Foundation for Peace (FFP) and Healing Waters International. Having access to affordable, clean water for drinking and washing has significantly reduced the number of water-borne illnesses, particularly parasitic infections, improving the overall quality of life for the people.
)
For many years, children in Pantoja were either crowded into a small wooden shack (about 200 students per day), where they would stand for lack of space and furniture, or they were simply unable to attend school.
)
Old School (outside on left, inside on right)
However, beginning with the 2004 school year, the town has a new public school, more than five times the size of the old one. This new public school was built by members of the Pantoja community, of the Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I. and FFP volunteers, working together, during the summer of 2004. It was further improved in 2005.
)
New school without playground and safety fence
Now the community's new public school is providing education to more than 400 children in morning and afternoon sessions. The school served children in Kindergarten through 6th grade its first year, and they have added a 7th grade class this fall. During the summer of 2005, another mission team, also working hand in hand with local people, added finishing touches to the school, including enclosing the school yard.
)
New School with playground and safety fence; Pastor Nicholas Mesa and Ken Culver are in the foreground
In fact, there were so many children who weren't attending school, but wanted to come to school, that the school has already overflowed into a nearby shack. It is narrow, crowded and dim, yet the children are pleased to be there. If funding can be obtained by the Foundation for Peace, we plan to build a second story on the building in order to double the capacity of the program.
)
Nearby shack used for 2 classrooms
Still the school is not truly complete. The children sit in old desks or cheap plastic chairs, the kind found in many North American backyards. There are not even enough plastic chairs, so many willingly carry chairs from their home to school and back again each day. Their teacher instructs them orally and with chalkboards and chalk, and they copy the board work into their notebooks on a desk. Many without desks sit hunched over in chairs, yet they all want to learn.
)
Crowded without a desk to write on, but happy to be in school
)
Boys carrying chairs home from school and back again
Since it is a public school, the Dominican government has provided teachers and a few basic supplies (e.g. chalk), but they been unable to provide many necessities. In addition to insufficient furniture and number of classrooms, there are very few books. Thanks to the donations from the Roseart corporation and individuals in the US, every child in the school received basic school supplies at the beginning of school year 2005-2006.
)
2004-2005 Pantoja school teachers with Cindy Alloway and Ken Culver
Many of the children eat once a day and would benefit from a lunch program. The students and their families do receive medical care annually when the FFP provides free clinics in town. The FFP has hopes of providing a year round clinic when funds become available. Health programs and the school building construction are extremely important steps in our comprehensive program to improve the overall living, education and economic opportunities for these children.
Their current needs include:
- Computers with a wireless internet card
- Ink jet printers
- Fluorescent light bulbs for classrooms
- Bookshelves
- Books (in Spanish)
- Ceiling fans
- Teacher's desks and chairs
- Student desks
- Educational games (in Spanish)
- Chalkboards
- Screens for windows
- Food for a daily lunch program
- Balls, mitts and other sports equipment
If you are interested in providing for these needs, please email Wendy Buttner at wendy@foundationforpeace.org. Monetary donations to help obtain these items for the school can be made at the Ecommerce section of this website.