Santo Domingo North School continues its food relief program to 77 families with the help of a local church. Job losses have left many families with no income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our teachers are working hard to stay spiritually, emotionally, and academically engaged with our students. Despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, students are working hard, and families enjoy sharing photos with their teachers via WhatsApp – the main way of communicating during this pandemic.
School directors Margaret and Juan meet weekly with the six other Kids Alive school directors to plan, share successes and ideas, and discuss spiritual and emotional care. The Kids Alive DR counseling staff have produced videos to guide parents in engaging with their children, keeping daily routines, and addressing other issues such as stress and anxiety.
The Kids Alive medical staff has also produced videos and flyers on COVID-19 prevention, use of personal protective equipment, and how to care for a sick family member. The country remains under government-enforced curfew, mandatory mask use, and restrictions on movement.
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Parents and children alike have stepped up to the daunting task of studying from home, even without unaffordable computers or textbooks. Instead, our teachers have adapted WhatsApp to engage and teach while guiding parents.
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Many of our school children come from single-parent homes. With job losses caused by the pandemic, these families are very grateful for Kids Alive's food and monetary support.
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Parents and children alike have stepped up to the daunting task of studying from home, even without unaffordable computers or textbooks. Instead, our teachers have adapted WhatsApp to engage and teach while guiding parents.
![Santo Domingo North]( "Barrio distrib8")
Where children can't come to collect food, Kids Alive staff delivers food and schoolwork to the children's homes. Director Juan is careful to ensure distancing and preventative protocols during food distribution.
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Since all schools were ordered closed by the government on March 13, Kids Alive school directors have been meeting weekly to share educational strategies, COVID-19 prevention protocols, and other best practices during this pandemic.
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In addition to food, families are receiving academic and spiritual guidance via WhatsApp.
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Besides food rations, our children and their families receive video clips covering a range of topics such as using masks correctly and caring for sick family members at home.
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The pandemic has deprived children of friendships and fun and imposed restrictions on their studies. For some, it is a lonely time. Kids Alive school psychologist Domingo cheers up the children via WhatsApp on their parents’ cell phone with a fun system he created.
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Families have had to make adjustments to care for and feed children at home. Most families depend on Santo Domingo North School to provide their children’s main nutritious daily meal. Now, these food rations replace their daily nutrition.
![Santo Domingo North]( "Food rations")
Food rations to families include Dominican staples such as rice, beans, salami, sardines, pasta, oil, and oatmeal.
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Grateful for the help, students’ families frequently contact Kids Alive staff to express their gratitude.
