The All Saints and St. Paul High School Dominican Experience Wine and Cheese Auction runs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Friday, November 14 at St. Paul Catholic High School, 2675 Draper Avenue. Their auctioneer again this year the always engaging Kent Browne, owner of Royal Lepage Team Realty, and Gale Real Estate. Any business interested in partnering is encouraged to call Wanda Hammond at St. Paul, tel: 613 820 9705.
What does the “Little Saint Paul School” do? Michael: Our yellow, concrete, one-room schoolhouse has for six years been bringing free primary education for children in Simon Bolivar, one of the poorest slums in Dominican’s capital Santo Domingo. Some of the 24 children don’t have official documentation; others have lived on the streets or in broken homes. They all enter excited to learn how to read and work with numbers. In a few years, they will have finished grade three opening the door to a public elementary school outside the slum.
Who came up with the idea for the two schools? Michael: Students. Upon our return to Canada we reflected on the impact of experiencing the developing world. We asked the students where they felt help was needed most in the country and they were unanimous in saying “education”. After that, we as teachers helped to make that education possible for these amazing kids. Everyone is so thankful. It happened as genuine solidarity between the communities of Ottawa and the Dominican Republic.
Who built both projects? Mark: Dominican labourers from the local communities did all the work. While we funded the project, we wanted local workers to earn an income by building it themselves. Our schools are free of graffiti and vandalism. Everyone in the community respects the schools. That’s ownership.
What do you feel your projects say about you as educators? Michael: Young people can make a change if you empower them to make a difference in the world. There are so many innovative ways to connect authentic learning to the world around us. We as teachers just need to have the courage to go beyond words and put it into action.
Life and faith are great teachers. How are your projects funded? Mark: We are committed to our schools and our Dominican communities for the long haul. We are funded entirely through a yearly live and silent auction that we host this year on Friday, November 14. All of the proceeds from our wine and cheese evening event pay for the full teacher salaries of Little Saint Paul and Todos los Santos Early Childhood Education Centre. We depend on the generosity of Ottawa businesses and our school communities to give us the financial means to sustain these projects, and for that we are truly grateful.
59 | November 2014