[RSCT] Haiti: How to Help + Call for Teachers for Summer Batey Project

[KEVIN LAMASTRA]

Dear RTS Friends:
 
As many of you know, I am the project coordinator for “Friends Beyond Borders”
and an ESL teacher in
Linden, NJ. Each summer we bring teachers from across the United
States to the Dominican Republic to learn about issues
related to human rights, extreme poverty and global education. We work with many organizations that advocate for Haitian migrant workers and Dominicans of
Haitian descent.
 
In light of the recent tragic earthquake in
Haiti, many teachers have asked us our advice about how to help in this situation if you are interested
in making a donation.  There are many good organizations, but I will share what I was told by our most trusted
contacts on the ground today.  They have suggested the following:
 
The Red Cross:  our project partners advise, of all the organizations doing good work in Haiti, the Red Cross is one of the few organizations on the ground that has the resources to make an immediate
impact. If you want to make a monetary donation, this is probably your best choice.
 
As you know, events such as this will cause migration into the
Dominican Republic as people struggle to find food, water, shelter and day
labor.  Those who cross the border will likely travel through the sugarcane fields to seek out bateyes (slum areas)
where they will live in ramshackle housing in unimaginable conditions.  The teachers involved in our project have
been involved in visiting and supporting batey clinics and education projects for the children of  these Haitian
migrant workers.
 
Our teacher’s project works closely with the Batey Relief Alliance, an
outstanding organization of medical professionals that bring healthcare to some of the Western hemisphere’s most destitute
people.  We recommend that you consider supporting this organization as well.
 
If these tragic events have turned your attention to the
Haiti and the developing world,  I hope you will
consider joining our teacher’s project and traveling with us to the bateyes this summer.  You can get an over-view
of the program on our website and write to me with any questions.  Our group is limited to about 15 teachers, so
please contact me asap if you are interested.
 
www.friendsbeyondborders.net

 
Sincerely,
 
Kevin LaMastra
KLAMASTRA at linden.k12.nj.us
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