|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
Since 1996, Acceso International has assisted eight youth from Yamasá in their pursuit of post-secondary education. They have studied in the areas of language, education, medicine, computers and psychology at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. Many of the graduates are working as teachers and principals in their local communities. Acceso International is currently supporting three post-secondary students from Yamasá.
Acceso International provides financial assistance to a locally operated community library in the town of Yamasá. The main focus of this sponsorship is the purchase of children’s books, encyclopaedias and post-secondary level resource textbooks.
 |
 |
 |
Escuela Basica Buenos Aires in Reparadero |
Escuela Primaria Rural Doña Maria Petronila Rojas de Payano |
High school previously attended by the post-secondary student recipients |
In the Yamasá area, Acceso International supports four primary schools: Escuela Basica Buenos Aires in Reparadero, Escuela Primaria Rural Doña Maria Petronila Rojas de Payano in the community of Resoli, Escuela Guasumita in the Batey of Guasumita and Escuela Antonci in the Batey of Antonci. For all four schools, Acceso International provides educational materials for the classrooms and individual bursaries so that the children are equipped with packsacks, school supplies, uniforms and shoes for each school year. In these schools, Acceso International has also financed major renovations, the purchase of chalkboards, the construction of covered outdoor classrooms and recreation facilities, wells and water purification systems, the repairs of desks and chairs, as well as metal doors and security features on windows to protect the contents of the schools.
Acceso International supports PADEYA (Patronato Pro-Desarrollo de la Educación en Yamasá). It is a community council that seeks to promote educational development within the municipality of Yamasá by collaborating with, and assisting educational institutions in the realization of their goals and objectives. PADEYA’s priorities are children and youth, cultural enhancement, sports activities, literacy and health education.
 |
 |
 |
Community Library in Yamasá |
Bilingual books donated by Guardian Angels Elementary School |
PADEYA office in Yamasá |
Acceso International supports the educational pursuits of high school and post-secondary students from the Batey of Antonci, which is home to many displaced and underserved people of Haitian origin. Antonci is located in a rural area north west of the capital of Santo Domingo. The first student that Acceso International sponsored in 1996 originated from this extremely impoverished community of Antonci. He is now working in a neighbouring batey as a teacher where he seeks to empower the children and youth of Haitian origin with educational opportunities.
 |
 |
 |
Batey of Antonci de Yamasa |
||
Acceso International sponsors a summer camp for children from Sabana Perdida and Los Praditos, which are impoverished barrios in Santo Domingo. The camp teaches children to share and to care for themselves, their culture and their environment. To this end, recreational, ecological and cultural activities are undertaken. Acceso International assists with the provision of resource materials such as art supplies, writing materials and recreational equipment.
 |
Summer Camp Arcoiris (Rainbow) in Sabana Perdida |
In Los Praditos, ACCESO International is also supporting the post-secondary education of a young woman who is attending medical school.
In 2003, ACCESO INTERNATIONAL established the JF Norwood Education Memorial Fund in memory of our former Co-Founder and Vice President, Jill-Frances Norwood. The projects are located in San José de Ocoa in the Dominican Republic. They include the building of a playground and a library, as well as the provision of school supplies at the primary school (Centro Educativo Padre Arturo) where JF taught in 1993. The memorial fund also includes a post-secondary education bursary program which is currently supporting a young woman who is studying business management in Santo Domingo and a young man who is studying to be a teacher in Ocoa.
“In truth, I do not know how to thank you for the help that you have given me so that I may attend school. As I have already told you, I had to walk 12 kilometers daily to school, most of the time without breakfast. The money that you have sent has been used for transportation, school supplies and breakfast. It has first helped me and then also my family and community because I am less tired when I arrive home to help in my community. My family is less worried knowing that someone is helping me. For this, they are both happy and hopeful. I was lost and forgotten, but you came with your great love and you lifted my spirits and gave me life. For that, a million thanks.” Male student
“I feel very grateful to be among the recipients who benefits from your project since we are ten children at home and only I have been able to attend university. Thank you for your noble gesture. I promise that I will try my best so that your efforts will not be in vain.” Female student
“The purpose of these lines is to express my infinite thanks for having included me. What you have done for me brings great joy to my family and to myself.” Female student
“Our school is grateful and happy with your donation. We extend our most sincere thanks for your gesture of solidarity and friendship. Be assured that we will put it to good use that will benefit the school and the students. I hope that we maintain communication through letters.” Principal and Vice-Principal of a primary school
