Proyecto Alegría
In Las Terrenas there are approximately 30-40 street kids that do not go to school,
work in shoe-shining, and/or helping carry bags at local stores. Most of these kids
do not know how to read and write, even if going to school, and some of them do
not go to school at all. There's anecdotal evidence that suggests that they are sent
by parents to ask money from tourists at key places, usually by helping to carry
their shopping bags; also that some of them are sexually abused; and that some
may be used by drug dealers to push drugs. Altogether it makes for a bad situation
for them and for the community.
These kids are not violent or criminal, but lack good nurturing, individualized
attention and educational support. This program seeks to provide an opportunity for
their personal growth, their recreation and their education. Volunteers work with
these children, making sure that they've had a decent meal, provide a wholesome
environment where they can do arts and crafts, may teach them sports, drawing,
painting, swimming, or any other related activity. The most important thing is to be a
friend and to bring the child to our library, read books to them if they don't know
how to read, help them with course work if they're going to school, and to give
them something meaningful to do and to think about.
Because of the intense nature of this work we recommend volunteers to be fluent
in Spanish and that volunteers commit to at least a month of service. In addition to
working with the kids, volunteers will spend half their time at the library as library
volunteers, getting to know the larger audience and using the resources to prepare
for their individual work with the children. We prefer that volunteers work with at
least two boys at the time and to do so at the library. We request that no private
encounters take place and that a conservative behavioral stance be taken so as to
prevent the occurrence of mistaken impressions in the community.
In Las Terrenas there are approximately 30-40 street kids that do not go to school,
work in shoe-shining, and/or helping carry bags at local stores. Most of these kids
do not know how to read and write, even if going to school, and some of them do
not go to school at all. There's anecdotal evidence that suggests that they are sent
by parents to ask money from tourists at key places, usually by helping to carry
their shopping bags; also that some of them are sexually abused; and that some
may be used by drug dealers to push drugs. Altogether it makes for a bad situation
for them and for the community.
These kids are not violent or criminal, but lack good nurturing, individualized
attention and educational support. This program seeks to provide an opportunity for
their personal growth, their recreation and their education. Volunteers work with
these children, making sure that they've had a decent meal, provide a wholesome
environment where they can do arts and crafts, may teach them sports, drawing,
painting, swimming, or any other related activity. The most important thing is to be a
friend and to bring the child to our library, read books to them if they don't know
how to read, help them with course work if they're going to school, and to give
them something meaningful to do and to think about.
Because of the intense nature of this work we recommend volunteers to be fluent
in Spanish and that volunteers commit to at least a month of service. In addition to
working with the kids, volunteers will spend half their time at the library as library
volunteers, getting to know the larger audience and using the resources to prepare
for their individual work with the children. We prefer that volunteers work with at
least two boys at the time and to do so at the library. We request that no private
encounters take place and that a conservative behavioral stance be taken so as to
prevent the occurrence of mistaken impressions in the community.
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Fundación Mahatma Gandhi
Visión Global, Desarrollo Local
Visión Global, Desarrollo Local
Proyecto Alegría |
"Be the change you wish to
see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
The developmental
needs of boys are
different from that of
girls. In Las Terrenas
there are many boys that
need a chance to
develop wholesomely.
Alegría pursues that end
(this is a new program).
needs of boys are
different from that of
girls. In Las Terrenas
there are many boys that
need a chance to
develop wholesomely.
Alegría pursues that end
(this is a new program).
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| ©2007 Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi. Las Terrenas, Samana Province, Dominican Republic. All rights reserved. |