Cruising kids (l-r) Ryan, Cari, and Andrea donated their storybooks to (l-r) Calree, Nathan, and Sheniah, students at Newtown Primary School. Everybody smiling now!

Other donors who have not had the opportunity to visit the schools of our Caribbean Literacy and School Support (CLASS) program with have had the pleasure of receiving handwritten "thank you" notes from students — often with artwork WOand an invitation to come visit anytime! Harriet had the enjoyable experience of reading a book donated by her cousin to some rapt first graders at Stephanie Browne Primary School — her cousin is now in college, so she no longer needs her copy of Amos and Boris, the children's story about a mouse befriending a whale. These "gently-used" books (every attic has a boxful or two) are getting a new lease on life and being loved by some very appreciative children in the Caribbean.

Building a playground for Goodwill Primary School in Roseau, Dominica
One day in late February, while volunteering at Newtown Primary School, the principal, Jerry Coipel, called Harriet into his office and introduced her to Pastora Mills. Pastora is a veteran primary school teacher of 15 years who had been taking time off to pursue a B.A. in Education Administration from the University of

As the playground mural takes shape in the background, Harriet gives a push to the new swing set's first customer

the West Indies. Her senior project, or "practicum" as it is called here, was to build a playground at Goodwill Primary School where she had taught. Goodwill is so overcrowded that it accommodates its 650 students in two shifts; in the morning grades K, 1, 2, and 6 attend, and the afternoons serve grades 3, 4, and 5. The school is located in an industrial area of the city of Roseau, and overlooks the backs of warehouses. The classroom buildings surround a wide empty yard where sports classes are held, but there is no playground.

Pastora had a budget of $2,450 US for her project and had not yet been successful raising money from local merchants. She needed to finish the project by April 30th as part of her course work. After reviewing her prospectus, we helped her draft a one-page proposal that she could take to local merchants to sell them on her project. Hands Across the Sea also seeded her $562 to kick off the fundraising. This catalyst was just what Pastora needed, and she was able to raise the rest of the funds from the community fairly quickly. Pastora secured prison labor and tools for the construction, the bulk of which was completed over the Easter school holidays. The playground is located between one of the classroom blocks and the neighboring warehouses, and to brighten up the drab concrete backdrop of one warehouse wall, the prisoners applied fresh paint with colorful designs. One prisoner, a fellow named Carlos, had been abandoned by his parents, grew up on the street, and had attended school to grade 4. This was his third stint in prison, but he was determined not to return.

With the help of Dan Lee from Kompan Playgrounds and Marcye Bears of Bears Playgrounds, both in upstate New York, we were able to source a heavy-duty slide and two swing seats that arrived via Tropical Shipping just in time. One afternoon two little girls, first grade daughters of Goodwill teachers, where hanging around the construction site and benefitted from being the first customers of the new swing set. Their smiles and giggles were incessant and an inspiration for the workers that afternoon. We left Dominica before the playground was completely finished, but Pastora has promised to send us photos which we will add soon to the Goodwill Primary section of the Hands Photo Album. A big thanks to the donors who contributed money to this project. You have provided a much-needed playground for 650 thrilled students!

Volunteering at the Roseau Clinic, city of Roseau, Dominica

Katy Linskey conferring with a physician colleague at the Roseau Clinic

We hosted our niece, Katy Linskey, a fourth-year medical student from the University of Hawaii, on board Hands Across the Sea for two and one-half weeks in April. Katy chose to volunteer at the Roseau Clinic as her April elective. Under the supervision of the clinic's doctors she was assigned an examination room and saw her own patients. It was a wonderful learning opportunity and practical experience, and the doctors at the clinic appreciated her taking on some of their work load. "Many of the health issues in Dominica are similar to those encountered in Hawaii," Katy noted.

She also had the chance to visit some outlying village clinics as well as make a few home visits to patients who could not travel. Katy loved meeting fellow physicians and experiencing healthcare in a place where diagnostic resources are less available. An avid diver and hiker, Katy enjoyed hiking the rainforest and diving Dominica's coral reefs. Katy is staying in contact with her Roseau clinic colleagues, and we will soon have a "wish list" from Dr. Jacob, the director of the clinic. Congratulations to Katy who graduates from medical school this month and will start her pathology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in June.

Want to lend a hand? Your support can make a real difference!
It's easy and rewarding to lend a hand to these island communities. If you'd like to donate books, please see the Hands Book Drop page for detailed instructions. Also, you can make a tax-deductible cash contribution to Hands by going to the Donate page, using the secure PayPal service. Hands Across the Sea, Inc., is an IRS-registered, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we will furnish a receipt to you for your tax return. Your donation can be any amount, either via credit card on the Donate page or by sending a check to the Hands Across the Sea, Inc. mailing address. Your entire gift goes to the children, teachers, and schools of the Caribbean Schools Project. —T.L. and Harriet