[RSCT] 3 more teachers needed for Dominican Republic Human Rights Tour

[KEVIN LAMASTRA]

Dear RSCT  Friends:
 
Please help me to get the word out on this. We have been running this teacher's project in the DR for four years now. It is not for profit, run at cost,
but we can't continue unless we have about 15 participants.  We are almost there, but need your help to get the information out to those who may be
interested.  please see the information below.
 
thanks,
 
Kevin LaMastra
ESL/World Languages
Linden, NJ 07733
www.friendsbeyondborders.net

Teachers and College Students Wanted for our Annual Dominican Republic Human Rights Tour:

 
 
Dates: August 8-15, 2010
Cost: $1,300 from Puerto Plata
Limited to 21 participants
 
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
We are now accepting applications for participants for our fourth Teacher’s Global Education Project in the Dominican
Republic. Since this project’s inception in 2007, over 60 teachers and socially engaged members of the community from across
the U.S.have participated. Together we have experienced the realities of extreme poverty in the developing world, and have gained first hand experiences
that have transformed our teaching and understanding of critical global issues.
 
Part of our work focuses on Haitian refugees in the Dominican Republic. Even before the recent disaster, Haitians and
Dominicans of Haitian descent have been living in slave like conditions in batey shanty towns. Their children do not receive birth certificates, thus they are
often excluded from schools and denied basic human rights.  Their homes are often ramshackle constructions made of found materials.
  Living upon dirt floors, with little or no access to clean water, and subject to discrimination and harassment, the batey residents are
among the most marginalized people in the world.
 
On our trip we will meet with RFK Human Rights Award winner Sonia Pierre’s MUDHA organization. Sonia is widely regarded as the
Cesar Chavez of the Haitian community. 
 
We will explore other topics related to extreme poverty in the developing world such as human trafficking, sex tourism,
micro-credit, global trade and human rights through site visits with activists and local organizations working to make a difference.
 
Due to the sensitive and intimate nature of our site visits, we must limit the size our group to approximately 20 participants.
  As we visit migrant worker camps, clinics, schools, grassroots organizations and the homes of people living in extreme poverty, it is
important that our presence be respectful and unobtrusive in nature.
 
An Overview of the Project:
This not for profit project gathers public school and university level educators from across the United States for an eight day
collaborative experience in the developing world centered on critical global issues. Participants will meet with local teachers, community activists,
NGO’s, and ordinary citizens working to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.
 
Participating teachers will collaborate to create classroom activities and materials that will prepare students to live in an
increasingly globalized, interdependent world, and to be active citizens in shaping a better future.  College students and engaged
citizens joining the group will collaborate to devise ways that we can build upon what we learn during this trip and take action upon our return.
 
I hope that you will consider joining us.  For more information, download the attached flyer and visit our
web site. The web site contains photos of our recent trips, as well as trip reports from our previous projects. Please contact me if you
have any questions or to request an application package.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Kevin LaMastra
Project Coordinator
www.friendsbeyondborders.net

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