Puerto Cabarete

Project Specifics:

• Name of Project: Puerto Cabarete School
• Location: Cabarete, North Coast, Dominican Republic
• Type of Facility: Public kindergarten - eighth grade school
• Ownership: Public school operated by Ministry of Education
• DREAM Start date at Project: January, 2002
• Current DREAM Volunteers: Jessica Schindler, John George-Wheeler
• Special Donors: Dartmouth College, Iguana Mama, Sepehrdad Sadeghi, Velero Beach Resort, Vela Windsurfing Center and Michel Zaleski

Project Overview:

Located on the main street in town, Puerto Cabarete (K-8) has an enrollment of approximately three hundred students. The school is faced with difficulties that plague almost every educational institution in the developing world: high student-teacher ratios, shortage of desks and chairs, and an almost complete lack of basic materials (paper, pencils, scissors, etc.). Furthermore, local teachers are not qualified to teach the English, French, and computer courses, which are now mandatory within the Public School System. There is no PE teacher.

This year the computer lab and library is run by DREAM volunteers Ben Chapman, Jessica Schindler, and John George-Wheeler. They offer library check-out services, access to the internet, computer classes, and literacy tutoring. Currently, the computer lab has two working computers with internet access. Through various donations, the school library boasts over 200 children’s books.

DREAM is currently working to transform the K-2nd grade classrooms into model classrooms. K-2nd grade teachers are participating in trainings organized by DREAM in new teaching methodologies. The hope is to create classrooms that support learning and will serve as an example for the North Coast. DREAM volunteers John George-Wheeler and Jessica Schindler are working alongside the Dominican teachers to assist in the implementation of these ideas. 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.

In the winter of 2008, with the help of student service groups, DREAM was able to provide Puerto Cabarete with the town’s first playground. After a brief introduction, the students love their new monkey bars and tire-swing. Just one month later, DREAM replaced the roofs on the all of the classrooms at the school as the old ones were leaky and host to asbestos. To top off the renovation, every classroom received a fresh coat of paint. 

Shortly after the inauguration of the computer lab, the staff of Puerto Cabarete and DREAM Project realized that the roof on the computer lab needed to be replaced because it was leaking and was playing host to termites and asbestos. Thanks to the generosity of Sepehrdad Sadeghi, an engineer based out of Sea Horse Ranch, the computer lab received a new roof.

In February of 2005, parents and teachers had a food fair to raise money to convert a storage room into a science laboratory. DREAM matched the money that they made to make this project possible. Sadly, due to lack of a knowledgeable science teacher, the lab is currently not being used.

Project Timeline:

2007/2008

• 3 DREAM volunteers run computer lab/ library and assist in K-2nd grade classrooms
• School playground constructed including tire-swing and monkey bars
• 7 classrooms and bathrooms receive fresh paint
• Parent literacy class started
• K-2nd grade classrooms transformed into model learning environments
• Roof replaced on all classrooms

2006/2007

• Step by Step training begins
• 4 DREAM volunteers work at the school
• Science lab is in use

2005/2006

• 3 DREAM Fellowship Volunteers begin school year to implement science, computer and reading program
• Fans donated
• Internet installed in computer lab
• New computers set-up
• Official computer lab inauguration with Canadian Ambassador
• Asbestos roof replaced with new roof
• Science lab built and roof replaced
• Started Evening Literacy & Computer Classes
• Developed a PTA Maintenance Plan
• Books donated to library
• Materials delivered in bi-annual supply drive

2004/2005

• Books, supplies & furniture donated to library
• Night school remains fully operational (due to generator)
• Evening computer classes begin
• Teacher Computer Course begins (during lunch hour)
• Computer Lab opens
• 40th volunteer arrives at school
• New electrical system hooked up to generator,
• PTA paints whole school
• Velero Resort Established as Godfather for school
• Major repairs

2003/2004

• Night classes start (due to overcrowding in school)

2002/2003

• Basic repairs (painted library & donated gravel)
• DREAM Project founded

1995-2002

• 1st Community Project (funded by Brugal, Zaleski & Martin)
• Built 2nd floor, teacher's office, & storage room
• Converted storage room into library
• Michel Zaleski Founds Tucker Foundation Program
• 1st Dartmouth volunteer arrives
• Judy Greenberg Book Drive in Vermont
• 28 Dartmouth volunteers working
• Large amount of books & supplies donated
• New library and bathrooms donated by Zaleski

Program Goals:

• Train the Puerto Cabarete teaching staff in new teaching methodologies
• Create a safe learning environment for all children attending the public school
• To offer supplementary programs and activities, such as youth groups and educational excursions, to help better the education of all students.
• Transform the computer lab at Puerto Cabarete into a sustainable internet café operated by parents and community members.

Program Needs:

• Classroom Renovations: DREAM is seeking funds to renovate and furnish model classrooms at Puerto Cabarete. The classrooms are in need of basic items such as paint, tables, chairs, bookshelves and ceiling fans.
• Materials: This public school is in constant shortage of general school supplies. Please refer to our supply wish list for our most current needs.