A Message from Michele Wucker
 At the inauguration of the DREAM Project's Cabarete office on March 20th, 2004 Michele Wuker, author of Why the Cocks Fight: Dominicans, Haitians, and the Struggle for Hispaniola, reminded us of the importance of actively engaging in our hands-on organization.
"Not so long ago, we thought
of hands primarily for sowing and harvesting, lifting and pulling:
manual labor. Today, hands write, type on computer keyboards, draw
engineering and architectural plans. For these hands to do their
work well, they need a strong connection to the mind. Without well-educated
minds, communities cannot grow and build a future. I'd like you
all to think of one more sense of the word, "hand". So
I have one last request: reach out your hands toward your neighbor
and clasp your hands together. That is what the DREAM Project is
all about - to put our hands together to help give the next generation
the tools they need. Together, we can all achieve a dream of education."
Guzmán Ariza Summer Camp
 The DREAM Project is proud to announce that the first annual DREAM Guzmán Ariza Campamento de Verano (Summer Camp), sponsored by Fabio Guzmán, has been a huge success! There are currently over 90 Dominican and Haitian children attending the Guzmán Ariza Camp running from July 12th to August 20th in Callejon de la Loma, Cabarete.
Ten enthusiastic volunteers developed specialized educational programs to focus on "Literacy and My Back Yard". Upon entering the camp, most of the children could neither read nor write, but with the innovative programs the children have already produced a newspaper and will be putting on a production of their own play!
The children are also learning about their environment by exploring caves, going on field trips and taking nature walks. Most of the children are discovering and developing a new respect for their community.
Most importantly the camp has given these children a sense of self-respect. Since many of these children have had a hard time in public schools, it is truly an honor to see them take pride in their accomplishments and develop lifetime skills.
A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers
 DREAM
would like to thank our volunteers and everyone who made our first
summer camp possible.
This year, our volunteers include: Kristen Shuart and Erica Lee , two teachers from The Mirabal Sisters Intermediate School 90 in Washington Heights in New York City, Milkeya Kalaf , a teacher from Santo Domingo, Annemarie Guzy , a student from Brown University, Bryan Lee and Joseina Guzman , two students from Dartmouth College, Yoskely Arias Santos and Ariela Enriquez Suero , two Dominican high school students.
Thank you to Productos de Sosua for the donated and discounted sandwich meat; Mercedes Restaurant and Carlos and Jenny's Fruit Truck for all the discounts provided. A very special thank you to Rolf Dick of Dick's Bakery who has donated all of the bread for the camp, which totals over 250 rolls per day, five days a week, for six weeks. And of course, thank you to Fabio Guzman for making this all possible!
Inauguration of La Colonia Nueva School
 This past April over Easter break the Colonia Nueva School held its first organized event in an inauguration ceremony. Festivities were held in honor of John and Leslie Taylor and Hans Peter Nanny.
John and Leslie funded $15,000 for the new construction at the school and also donated over 400 Spanish-English dictionaries and children's books written in Spanish.
Hans Peter Nanny, a long time resident of Cabarete, donated $3000 for the new bathrooms and installation of running water.
On behalf of the children and teachers of La Colonia Nueva School, DREAM would like to thank the Taylor family and Hans Peter Nanny for their generosity and everything they have done to make the DREAM Project stronger.
Women's Group
 In February 2004, the DREAM Project helped the women of Batey Caraballo start an organization of their own: Haitian Women for Community Development Through the Education of Our Young. This group was originally formed to help the community solicit a Peace Corps Volunteer to help teach them and their children how to read and write. The organization has since come to play an important role in helping these women to empower themselves.
The women of Batey Caraballo have basic needs - medicine, food and clean water. Many are undocumented workers who have escaped the hardships of Haiti only to face a new set of challenges here in the cane fields of the Dominican Republic.
Although this organization began with just 4 women, within two weeks it had grown to include over 40 members. The president, Doris, can speak Creole, French and Spanish. Mara was chosen as vice-president since she was the only other member who could read or write. They are waiting for a visit from the Peace Corps in hopes that a volunteer might soon be placed within their community.
Debbie's Dominican Fiesta
What started as a challenge posted on Debbie's Dominican Travel website by Jim Brenner in November 2003 has grown into a huge international donation effort. Travelers from around the world have been responding to Jim's challenge by bringing supplies to the Dominican Republic.
In honor of the success of the challenge, donors from around the world held a fiesta on July 24th in Ontario, Canada. The plans for the 2005 Fiesta are already underway! Please join their support of the DREAM Project and adopt their motto "It Feels Great to Give". To find out more information visit http://fiesta.webcentre.ca
Future Projects
New Community Center in Los Brazos
The DREAM Project is currently working on building a community and literacy center that will serve the members of the Los Brazos community of over 3000 people.
In March 2004 students from The Athenian School in California transformed an abandoned house into a new library at Jardín de Los Niños. The house was purchased last year by Paulina Tremblay, Jardin's director, and sits only a few meters from the main school.
From December 2004 to January 2005 a student group from Cornell University is scheduled to construct an additional building. The DREAM Project is currently soliciting funds to acquire a video library, books and computers. DREAM's vision is one of a public library in which community members both young and old can come together to meet, learn and share ideas.
New Additions to the "DREAM Team"
Jonathan Wunderlich (Director of Dominican Operations)
Jonathan Wunderlich has been named DREAM's new Director of Dominican Operations. Jon has been living overseas for the last eight years working as a Teacher and Business Consultant while giving seminars on Intercultural Communication, Business Negotiations and Business Presentations. A graduate of Ithaca College with degrees in Literature and Writing, Jon has lived in Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and Germany. Originally a DREAM volunteer, he began working with DREAM fulltime in June 2004.
Sarah Ross (Program Director)
Beginning September 1, 2004 Sarah
Ross will be the Program Director for the DREAM Project. A graduate
of Michigan State University with a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching,
Sarah recently finished three years working in Michigan teaching
English as a Second Language to 6th - 11th graders. Before this,
she worked at PUCMM University in Santiago, Dominican Republic as
the Program Coordinator of the Council on International Educational
Exchange (CIEE). Sarah has a strong passion for children as well
as for the Dominican Republic; so, needless to say, she is ecstatic
about returning to the Dominican Republic and becoming a part of
the "DREAM team".
Robert Baca (Program Coordinator)
Robert has recently been appointed Program Coordinator for the DREAM Project. A 2004 graduate from Dartmouth College, he was awarded a post-graduate Lombard Fellowship in order to work with DREAM. Originally from Los Angeles, California his service experiences have taken him to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. He initially worked with the DREAM Project as a volunteer/mentor and returns to expand his role and participation with DREAM. He plans to attend the University of Chicago Law School in the fall of 2005.
Sanghita Muntslag (Office Manager)
Sanghita Muntslag, the
DREAM Project Office Manager, was born in Surinam, South America,
grew up in Holland and has been living in the Dominican Republic
for ten years now. She spent the better part of those ten years
working as a SCUBA Instructor and manager at Hippocampo Dive Center.
Sanghita has also had her fair share of experience in the translating
industry; she is fluent in Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish.
She began working for DREAM April 2004.
Computer Donation
This past March New York State Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat donated and delivered five new computers to the DREAM Project. We plan to use these computers for the CADIN School in the community of Islabon in Cabarete. The DREAM Project is currently seeking funds for an inverter so that we can open our second computer lab this October with this generous donation.
New Board Members
Fabio J. Guzmán (Executive Board)
Fabio J. Guzmán is the managing partner of the Guzmán Ariza law firm and active contributor to educational philanthropy throughout the Dominican Republic. Originally from San Francisco de Macoris, Mr. Guzmán resides in Santiago with his wife Vivian. He also has two sons, Alfredo and Fabio Jr., who are both currently studying law. He is a Trustee of the Universidad Catolica Nordestana and has created various scholarship programs to help needy students attend different Universities. Still an avid traveler, Mr. Guzmán completed his secondary studies at St. Andrew's College in Ontario, Canada and his university studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in the United States where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. After some years working in the private sector, Mr. Guzmán studied law at the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, where he graduated at the top of his class. Mr. Guzmán served as a member of the Universidad Católica Nordestana Law Faculty from 1981 until 1991, where he was a professor of Civil Law and Dean of the Faculty. In 1987, he was elected Judge of the Disciplinary Committee of the College of Dominican Attorneys. He is the author of a book on civil procedure (El Procedimiento en Defecto en Materia Civil y Comercial). Mr. Guzmán is fluent in Spanish, English and French.
Founded in 1927 by Lic. Antonio Guzmán, Mr. Guzmán's father, Guzmán Ariza is the first national law firm in the Dominican Republic, with offices covering the northern part of the island (Sosua, Las Terrenas, Samana, San Francisco de Macoris), the southeast (Punta Cana, La Romana) and the city of Santo Domingo. Since 1985, the firm has concentrated its practice in servicing the business and personal needs of foreign persons and corporations.
Shelia Harmon (Advisory Board)
Sheila Harmon has wide experience in education, as an elementary and high school teacher, a reading clinician at Hofstra University, and director of Language Arts at a private school. In addition, Shelia has taught as an adjunct professor at Adelphi University and Long Island University at the graduate level. She holds certification in the areas of reading, learning disabilities, and administration. She has worked as a consultant, training teachers in numerous districts in New York State. Sheila is presently in private practice with her son, Robert Kouril.
Sheila became interested in the DREAM Project while on vacation in Cabarete three years ago. Since that time she and her husband, Edward Esposito, have made numerous presentations to high school classes on Long Island about the projectÕs work. Shelia established intercultural exchanges between these schools and those in the DREAM Project by involving the students in the pen pal program and fundraising events. During several visits to the Dominican Republic, Sheila and Ed have brought a tremendous amount of educational supplies for the schools. They have also trained many of the DREAM ProjectÕs teachers and volunteers with diverse teaching techniques.
Raymond (Jay) Dunn (Advisory Board)
Raymond (Jay) Dunn is co-founder and
Managing Director of the Latin Healthcare Fund (LHF), a US-based
investment group that invests in private healthcare companies in
Latin America. LHF has over US$50 million invested, principally
in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.
Prior to founding LHF, Mr. Dunn was Senior Investment Officer at the Global Environment Fund where he managed the investment program for Latin America. He has also served on company Boards in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia.
Mr. Dunn currently serves on the Boards
of Farmacias Ahumada S.A., the largest pharmacy chain in Latin America,
and Integramedica S.A. - both in Chile. He also serves on the Board
of Rostro de Cristo, an educational and missionary organization
based in Duran, Ecuador that offers short-term retreats and year-long
volunteer service opportunities. Finally, Mr. Dunn is founder and
Director of the Latin American Healthcare Credit Initiative (LAHCI)
which provides long-term capital (equity or low-cost loans) to medical
clinics and health-related projects in Latin America for the purchase
of equipment and medicine.
Mr. Dunn holds an MA (with distinction) in Latin American Studies and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a BA (magna cum laude) from Middlebury College.
Robert Martell (Advisory Board)
Mr. Martell joined the
Board in May 2004. He serves as a Business Consultant to the DREAM
Project. As a community homeowner and Philanthropist, Mr. Martell
has generously joined DREAM as a Mentor and has been instrumental
in recruiting new donors. Along with his work with DREAM, he has
also built a community church in El Choco. Mr. Martell has owned
the Garden Factory, one of the largest on the east coast, in Rochester,
New York since 1974.
Donations, Donations, Donations
Over the past 6 months, the DREAM Project has been overwhelmed by donations from schools, church groups, and community organizations. Whether it is a fifth grade class donating their allowances or a community group organizing a supply drive, the contributions from the community are invaluable to the DREAM Project. The DREAM Project would like to take the time to acknowledge and thank everyone who has donated or given time to our worthwhile cause. Their spirit of generosity is truly inspirational
- Athol-Royalston Middle School (National Junior Honor Society)
- Athenian School
- Bishop Amat Memorial High School
- Blue Springs Freshman Center in Blue Springs, MS (Miriam Cleary's Class)
- California Polytechnic State University
- Cornell University
- Country Day School of the Holy Union
- Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca
- Jericho-Brookville Lions Club
- Lawrence Academy
- Merritt Secondary School
- Minooka Community High School (National Honor Society)
- Murray Centennial School (Mrs. Taylor's Class &Mrs. Buck's Class)
- Portledge School 7th Grade Bowl-a-thon
- Rochester Community Schools
- St. John's of Lattingtown Episcopal Church
- Webster Grove Missouri Rotary Club
The Search for Mentors
The dictionary defines
"mentor" as a trusted counselor or guide, but at the DREAM
Project the category of Mentor means so much more. Our Mentor category
is reserved for extraordinary individuals who share our vision and
are willing to take the lead to help the disadvantaged children
of the Dominican Republic.
Our Mentors fall under our highest level of giving by donating over $10,000 of unrestricted funds to the DREAM Project. DREAM is dedicated to raising funds for all of our projects, but most grants or donations come with restrictions. A great deal of time, effort, and money is spent trying to acquire funds, supervise volunteers, arrange for construction, and continue to run this wonderful organization. Simply put, DREAM could not exist without our Mentors.
With all of our future projects in mind, it is our goal to have ten Mentors sign on by December of 2004. Thanks to the generosity of Robert Martell, Joel Bloomberg. Michel Zaleski, Edward Thorndike, William Friedman and Joe Bilotti, we are well on our way, but we still need four more. If you or anyone you know is interested in donating to help the DREAM project continue to grow, please contact Tricia Suriel at: tricia@dominicandream.org.
Please Support our Partners!
Supporting Partners
Partners
- Alta Gracia
- Amber Coast Adventures
- Blue Moon
- Cabarete Palm Beach Condos
- Café Cito
- Daniel Forman & the Duck Boat
- DRpure.com
- Hotel Caracol
- Hotel Villa Taina
- Juan Perdomo Century 21
- L'Agence Real Estate
- Laurel Eastman Kite Surfing School
- Natura Cabanas
- Otra Cosa Restaurant
- Residencia Dominicana
- Servi-Med
- Villas de Oro
- Wilson's Beach House
- Windsurf Resort
Welcome New Partners!
- Dick's Bakery
- Guido Perdomo Law Offices
- Miro's Restaurant
|
