Students from the Community Boating program in New Bedford, Massachusetts, raise the mainsail on Hands Across the Sea

Great job! A big Hands "thanks!" to Nita, Jessica, and Rosemary of the Marion Library for donating many boxes of children's books to our current Caribbean project

We are collecting resources for three schools in the Caribbean on the islands of Nevis, Dominica and Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Friends, family, and new acquaintances have been generous with their ideas, boxes of used children's reading books, and financial donations to help us to fulfill the wish lists of the three schools.

Throughout our winter in the Caribbean we were struck by the beauty of the islands and the friendliness of the people. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Nevis are three independent countries with tourism-based economies and an average of 25% unemployment. Outside of the resorts, the charterboats, and the cruise ships that call for the day, these economies are struggling.

Meet the Hands crew at the Hands Jump Up! at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October. Click here for complete info!

Supporting education is one way to improve the prospects of future generations of these North American neighbors. The teachers we met are dedicated and devoted to their schools and need more resources than their governments can provide. Our plan is to complete the wish lists outlined below, ship the items to the Caribbean via Tropical Shipping and Boaters for Books, and then follow up in person with school visits this winter. We have also recruited one school, Keith Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and are looking for others who can adopt a Caribbean school as a community service project.

If you'd like to help these schools and make a tax deductible contribution to Hands Across the Sea, Inc., we'd be thrilled. We are an IRS-registered, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we will furnish a receipt for your tax return. Your donation can be any amount, either via credit card on the Donate page of our website (using the secure PayPal service, which deducts a 1.9% to 2.9% charge off the final amount we receive), or by mailing a check to our Florida mail-forwarding address. 100% of your donation goes to the wish lists and shipping costs. If you wish to donate books, please contact us for detailed instructions. The Hands crew is unsalaried — we donate all of our time and we pay for all of our living and boat upkeep/upgrade expenses out of our own pocket. All of your gift goes where it makes a difference — to the children, teachers, and schools who need it most.

Newtown Primary School • Roseau, Dominica
Newtown Primary is in a rundown part of town on the outskirts of Roseau, the capital of Dominica. Fishing used to provide active employment, but not so anymore. There aren't many job prospects for the residents, and the unemployment rate is about 25%. There are a number of children who come from families that can't afford three meals a day and Sonia Williams, the principal, works with the local priest at the Catholic Church next door to keep an eye on specific kids.
We have collected:
•  Books in good condition to start a school library — thanks to Debbie, Rosemary, Jessica, Nita, and Boppie!
•  School and art supplies such as crayons, markers, papers and pencils — thanks to Cyndie, M. E., Nan, and the back-to-school sale at Target
•  Tapes and some books for the French teacher (Dominica is sandwiched between French-speaking Guadeloupe and Martinique)
We still need:
•  Funds to buy specific books for the French teacher
•  Funds for shipping items to Dominica via Tropical Shipping

Special Education School • Prospect, Nevis
The objective of special education on Nevis and St. Kitts is to have children functional so that they can contribute to society. The children's disabilities range from autism, mental retardation and Down Syndrome to cerebral palsy. Hands on learning tools are best because most of these kids are tactical learners.
We have collected:
•  TV, video and DVD player — thanks to Syd and Diane!
•  Rolling cart that can move from classroom to classroom
•  Learning toys, Lego sets and a LeapFrog interactive learning device — thanks to Anne's son Robbie!
•  One physical therapy ball
•  Puzzles and learning games — thanks to M. E.!
•  Little colored plastic animals for learning colors and classification — thanks to Anne!
•  K-2nd grade reading books such as Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, Thomas the Tank Engine, My First Steps to Reading from used-book bookstores and local library sales

Cool shades! TL and Danny share the wheel during the Community Boating sail on Buzzards Bay

We still need:
•  Funds for shipping
•  Two more physical therapy balls
•  Laminating machine (used or new)
•  Play-Doh
•  Marbles
•  Dominoes
•  Large bean bag chairs
•  Plastic tools and a skills box for four students
•  Paints
•  Dry Erase markers
•  Funds for LeapFrog "Literacy Center" interactive learning system
•  Video and DVD materials on social skills, math and language skills

Stephanie Brown Primary School • Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Just up the hill from Clifton and through the goats is the Stephanie Brown Primary School. Mrs. Lorette Coy-James is the principal, and one of her biggest challenges is encouraging young readers.
We have collected:
•  Books by Dr. Seuss, My First Steps to Reading by author Jane Moncure, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Reading, Thomas the Tank Engine and Berenstain Bear books — thanks to Debbie, Nita, and Rosemary (Marion Public Library) and used-book bookstores, especially Connie MacSweeney at LadyBug!
We still need:
•  A modest size school photocopier (new or used in good condition)
•  Funds for shipping

Finally, we invite you to meet the Hands crew at the Hands Jump Up! at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday, October 11 at 5 p.m. See the boat, share your dreams and schemes, and enjoy some of our favorite Caribbean music. See you there! — T.L. and Harriet