The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A Flin Flon teacher is taking her talents to another continent in order to help needy children. Becky Guthrie, a graduate of Hapnot Collegiate, will be leaving Flin Flon next week for the Dominican Republic to spend six months teaching English to kids in Flavia Vidal's CADIN School in Islabon. "I took a class at university dealing with globalization and how it affects the world," said Guthrie. "It made us realize how fortunate we are compared to other places in the world. I thought that based on the privileges that I have, I could give up some of my time to go help those less privileged, with the education I've received." She will be teaching English and basic computer skills at a school in the Dominican Republic with approximately 300 students between the ages of 3 and 15. Through the Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring (DREAM) Project, Guthrie will be able to help students that probably wouldn't be able to attend school if it wasn't for volunteers such as herself. What makes her dedication and commitment even more incredible, is that this is completely a volunteer posting. The DREAM Project does not pay for things such as travel, accommodations or meals. These things will all come at her own expense. Guthrie will be flying to the Dominica Republic on October 2. She will be returning on April 2 after spending six full months with the kids. Aside from the sun, she will be looking forward to interacting with the kids the most. "I think it will be interesting to try and interact with them when neither one of us speaks the other's language, although I'm slowly learning spanish." As well as volunteering her time, Guthrie will also be taking down as many school supplies she can get her hands on, as such items are in limited supply in the Dominican Republic. Scott Davidson from Pharmasave has already generously donated a back pack full of supplies and Guthrie hopes that others will do the same. Most needed are basic school supplies, such as pens, pencils, chalk and paper. To make a donation, you can contact Becky Guthrie at 687-3360. The DREAM Project is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1999. They are committed to improving needed educational opportunities for children in rural areas and small communities of the North Coast and North Slope of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. They provide funds, supplies and arrange for volunteers to build necessary support facilities such as libraries, additional classrooms, and toilets. They place volunteers in schools and libraries to teach reading, writing, math and English skills to children born into poverty. It is the vision of the DREAM Project that they will change lives and people's destinies. Because they exist, the world will be a better place for the children and families of the North Coast and North Slope of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. More information on the DREAM Project can be found at www.dominicandream.org.
