Creeping in as a health hazard, COVID-19 quickly wreaked havoc on socio-economic infrastructures and undermined decades of development gains made by both rich and poor countries. But the cruelest blow fell on our children’s education, turning it into a nightmare.
Our first step included surveying children’s families to understand their needs and get a handle on the potential obstacles to remote schooling. We also assessed our teachers’ needs. We sourced laptops and tablets for our teachers to prepare lessons. That was the easy part! Few of our children’s homes have a TV, and even fewer have a computer with WIFI. Some can’t even afford a cell phone.
The solution wasn’t ideal, but it had the maximum reach to the students. Our teachers developed weekly study lessons and assignments, packing them with food rations to be delivered to the children’s homes, or to be collected by their parents from Kids Alive sites. Those with cell phones got their study resources via social media along with instructional videos.
“A recent study showed that in some of our communities, less than 10% of students graduate from high school before age 20,” says Vic Trautwein, Country Director, Kids Alive Dominican Republic. He adds, “In sharp contrast to this, Kids Alive students have a graduation rate of over 80%, despite the fact that our kids come from the most challenging circumstances.”
As COVID-19 continues to loom large going into 2021, our teachers have redoubled their resolve to counter its impact on education.
We are grateful to you, our supporters, for continuing to walk alongside us, even as our teachers walk alongside our children.
Thank you!
An interview with Eric Jeison Tyson Morales, high school teacher, Palo Blanco School 
Eric is a high school science teacher at Palo Blanco School. He has served with Kids Alive for 18 months.
What do you like about your job?
Something that I am passionate about serving others. I understand that God has a purpose for my life in that area of work. I also like to share what God has given me and use my teaching skills to help others.
How has teaching been challenging during the pandemic?
It is hard to observe the spiritual and personal growth of my students from a distance. Without being physically together, it is harder to know when someone is hurting.
What risks are children facing?
For many students, their school is a safe refuge, either because of the stress of their parents or the discomfort and distractions they observe in their home environment. Many of these distractions are negative and promote a lifestyle very different from what God intended.
How has teaching been challenging during the pandemic?
I have grown closer to some of my students. For instance, on one occasion I asked several of my students why they had not done their schoolwork. Two of them were very sincere with me and shared their struggles of being at home 24/7. This hurt me a lot to know the battles they have had to fight each day at their young ages but also helped me to have more compassion for my students.
What have been the challenges of teaching during the pandemic?
One of the biggest challenges was establishing connections through WhatsApp with my students. I was not used to using that medium to communicate with them. It was also challenging to carry out activities and look for tools that allow them to learn and develop autonomous and meaningful ways of learning.
Is there a specific example?
When the state of emergency was first declared, it was a total challenge to be able to communicate with all the students. However, among other factors, bringing everyone together at the same time is a daily challenge, since not everyone has a mobile phone, or are free at the same time.
Is there anything creative you have done to teach children?
Something that worked for me was teaching using the subject with a video alluding to this in the art class that I was offering last year. And the students were able to learn and be critical in relation to the topic.
What has been difficult for the students?
Some of my students don’t have access to mobile phones, so they are unable to keep up with their lessons. One student wrote and asked for an extension on the timeline so he could go to a relative’s house to finish his schoolwork. And I know many suffer because they don’t have what their peers have.
Has the ministry provided resources to students?
Yes. The ministry through the institution has done tremendous work and effort (providing food rations, study material, devotionals, and school supplies).
Is there a specific story or encouraging event you experienced?
One day a student told me that her house had collapsed in the tropical storm. It impacted me since I knew the student had already gone through some difficult challenges. Thanks to God’s mercy, there were no deaths. Today, with Kids Alive support the house is being rebuilt. We provided other support as well so that my student’s education goes unhindered.
Ark Jarabacoa academic coordinator Romery circulates among the multigrade classrooms to give extra assistance and guidance. Many of our residential children arrive in our care behind in their schooling, this is a great opportunity to provide some "catch-up" education as well as forge deep connections.
Palo Blanco office staff Raquel, sorts through completed assignments that are ready for grading. The reviewing and grading of classwork has required detailed and creative planning. Our teachers trained in Trauma Competent Care, approach students struggling to complete their work with an awareness and understanding that there may be larger issues behind delayed assignments.
Palo Blanco School teachers Hember, Eric, and Ana Alba enjoy a moment of comradery while planning lessons and devotions for their students. Although held on the school campus, discipleship “Club” is an important time for students to connect it helps prevent at-risk teens from pregnancy, alcoholism, and drug abuse, as well as school dropouts.
Rosanny , teacher, Santo Domingo East, visits her 4th graders as she is concerned about their wellbeing. *Amanda presented her with a beautiful letter full of love and a desire to be back at school. Home visits challenging as the Dominican government has curfews in place as well as a mandatory mask requirement and a prohibition of students on school campuses.
Director Luz Angela, Constanza School, and her staff created detailed COVID-19 safety protocols for parents to visit the school campus for parent-teacher meetings and exchange of completed and new schoolwork assignments. Hand disinfection, masks, and proper distancing are all enforced to ensure everyone’s safety.
