La Colonia Nueva: Callejon de la Loma

Project Specifics:

• Name of Project: La Colonia Nueva School
• Location: Cabarete, North Coast, Dominican Republic
• Type of Facility: Public School (kindergarten - eighth grade)
• Ownership: Public school operated by the Ministry of Education
• DREAM Start date at Project: June, 2002
• Past DREAM Volunteer: Kathryn Frank
• Special Donors: John Taylor and Leslie Taylor, Michel Zaleski

Project Overview:

In the past decade, the tourism boom in the Dominican Republic has enabled it to maintain one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America; however, as the economy is moving forward, children are literally being left behind in the barrios without the necessary skills to benefit from this progress. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Callejon de la Loma community of Cabarete, which has experienced both an influx of poor Haitian immigrants and a marked increase in the number of international residents. Over the past decade, Cabarete has become a crossroads for people from truly diverse cultures; yet, much of the Dominican population is experiencing globalization without education.

When DREAM first became involved in La Colonia Nueva School, which encompasses grades kindergarten through eighth, there were four classrooms for 220 children. The school was overcrowded and lacked many basic learning tools. The DREAM Project built four new classrooms, bathrooms and a library to help improve the learning environment; however, over the past four years the enrollment has risen to 550 students and the school is becoming overcrowded once again.  Less than 40 percent of the 135 students or so that enter La Colonia Nueva School each year make it to the sixth grade and only 11 percent continue to the seventh grade. Sadly, even among those who graduate, many cannot read fluently.

With the majority of the student population dropping out before eighth grade, DREAM is working tirelessly to prevent the inevitable effects this could have, such as marked rises in robberies, violent crimes, drug use, and prostitution. The challenge is to create a solution for the next generation.  DREAM is happy to announce that this year, due to an increase in the number of students staying in school, La Colonia Nueva has added an eighth grade class for the first time.

The DREAM Project has worked to establish trust within the community and now has the opportunity to make a difference. We have developed initiatives, such as the Guzman Ariza DREAM Summer Camp, that are specifically tailored to meet the needs and challenges of this community.

The first, second, and third Guzman Ariza Summer Camps have been held at La Colonia Nueva in order to offer at-risk students an educational and fun way to spend the summer and allow DREAM to develop and fine-tune educational programs. DREAM now hopes to further develop the Guzman Ariza Summer Camp into a model and case study for problems that exist within the entire Dominican public school education system. By observing the existing problems, DREAM can create guiding principles to address these problems and create a template for change across the nation.

The necessary infrastructure is in place to support a sustainable program that will provide at-risk children with educational alternatives and improve the quality of education at La Colonia Nueva.

A recently formed partnership between the DREAM Project and the Soros Foundation-funded Open Society Institute (OSI) will allow the summer camp to become a platform for educational reform and teacher training. The new DREAM Teacher Training Center and Model School next door will offer the teachers of La Colonia Nueva the opportunity to train in internationally recognized methodology and provide constant support. The vice principal of La Colonia Nueva and several teachers are participating in the trainings organized by DREAM and various outside organizations. Frequent visits by DREAM staff, together with suggestions and support, help teachers align their classrooms with the child-centered philosophy of learning, which includes center-based activities and parent involvement.

DREAM volunteers continue to work at La Colonia Nueva to implement our programs. Last year, DREAM volunteer and experienced teacher, Jen Collett, assisted with the implementation of child-center methodologies at the school, working side-by-side with the first grade teacher to train and develop curriculum. In addition, DREAM volunteer – and Dominican native -  Simon Nuñez developed an organized recess and sports program, working with student leaders to present new activities and games to the student body and bring structure to what used to be a chaotic recess period. This year, DREAM volunteer Kathryn Frank continues to serve as a mentor and classroom assistant at the school, working directly with one of La Colonia Nueva’s kindergarten teachers. 

Next door at the DREAM Center, La Colonia Nueva students can find a world of activities and resources available to them. During recess hours and after school, La Colonia Nueva students come to the DREAM library to check out books, receive one-on-one tutoring, and develop computer skills.  La Colonia Nueva students also volunteer alongside DREAM volunteers as library assistants, helping with book check-outs and facility organization. 

Project Timeline:

 

2007/2008

• Guzman Ariza Summer Camp runs with 150 students and nearly 50 counselors and staff.
• DREAM volunteer Kathryn Frank began implementing programs at school
• New roof is installed and floors are raised in classrooms to prevent flooding

2006/2007

• Classroom murals painted by Columbia College student group
• 2006 Guzman Ariza Summer Camp runs with 185 campers
• 3 DREAM volunteers begin the school year
• School begins participation in Step by Step program

2005/2006

• DREAM Fellowship volunteer, Alex Jackson, begins school year to setup library book check-out system
• Dartmouth volunteer, Lilly Bertz, implements music program and begins violin lessons
• 2005 Guzman Ariza Summer Camp with 130 campers
• New shelves in library and in Director's office
• Outdoor thatched roof pavilion built

2004/2005

• Books, supplies & furniture donated to library
• Toothbrush Program implemented
• DREAM volunteers offer educational support to students
• Undertook major repairs
• Inauguration of new school building - (1st school event ever!)
• Started the Guzman Ariza 6-Week Summer Camp with 90 children and 10 volunteers

2003/2004

• Books, supplies & furniture donated to school
• DREAM volunteers continue to run educational programs
• Undertook major repairs
• Donation from Taylor Foundation and Hans Nanny
• Basic Repairs (painted library & donated gravel)
• Enrollment increases from 200 to 450 children

2002/2003

• Construction of 4 classrooms and bathrooms begins
• Construction complete (new buildings are on raised land to eliminate flooding problem)
• Volunteers start working (running library and sports programs)
• New teachers hired
• DREAM Project founded

1995-2002

• Chichi Vinas donates property for small school
• Casa del Pescador Restaurant & Palm Beach Condo build four classrooms and latrine
• First Dartmouth volunteer arrives
• Michel Zaleski donates funds for Library
• 8th volunteer arrives & Book Supply Drive continues

Program Goals:

• Train the La Colonia Nueva teaching staff in new methodologies.
• Ensure that all students graduate from 8th grade.
• Create a safe learning environment for all children attending the public school.
• Offer supplementary programs and activities, such as youth groups, summer camps and educational excursions, to help better the education of all students.
• Transform the La Colonia Nueva into a model public school.

Program Needs:

• Classroom Renovations: DREAM is seeking funds to renovate and furnish the classrooms at La Colonia Nueva. The classrooms are in need of basic items such as paint, tables, chairs, bookshelves and ceiling fans.
• School Yard: The school’s gravel yard frequently floods during heavy rains. DREAM is seeking funds to improve drainage and add play structures.
• Materials: This public school is in constant shortage of general school supplies. Please refer to our supply wish list for our most current needs.