Schools (not Pirates!) of the Caribbean
 
Lots of progress in 2009/2010 — and lots more to do in 2010/2011!
In the winter of 2009 and spring of 2010 we focused on the projects below. To take a look at Hands projects in the pipeline for 2010/2011, please go to the Wish Lists page. Would you like to help? Hands
Across the Sea, Inc. is accepting charitable tax-deductible cash donations (to donate, please go to our Donate page) and in-kind donations of children's books, art supplies, school supplies, dictionaries, some textbooks, and some reference books. Cash donations are put toward purchasing items on teachers' Wish Lists and for shipping the items to the Caribbean. (Tropical Shipping, Harte-Hanks, and AIT Worldwide — these three wonderful companies are our "shipping angels" — donate shipping services to Hands, but we still incur some shipping costs.) Items are shipped to the schools and then we follow up in person at the schools.

While at work in the Caribbean, every day we are
struck by the beauty of the islands and the friendliness of the people. But outside of the resorts and the cruise ships that call for the day, these island economies are struggling. and the local schools are struggling. The principals and teachers we meet are dedicated and devoted to their schools, and they deserve more resources than their governments can provide. Hands Across the Sea is happy to help them — and we are very grateful for your support! Please e-mail us if you'd like to help. If we don't answer right away, we are either at sea or at anchor without an Internet connection, so please bear with us — thank you!

May 2010 Update!
Island of Dominica • Windward Islands • Eastern Caribbean
Newtown Primary School
Donated 17 boxes of classroom supplies/teachers' resources and sports equipment
Donated 2 boxes of children's reading books
Created "spaceship" reading corner for Miss Celaire's 1st grade classroom
Donated laptop to help teacher Solange Payne develop a Maths and numeracy resource center

Enlisted Learning Consultant Chris Lawrence's support to assist Miss Celaire with "Very Hungry
Caterpillar" lesson
Goodwill Primary School
Donated 4 boxes of reading books for boys
Donated 1 box of classroom supplies/teachers' resources
Roseau Primary School
Donated 3 boxes of children's reading books
Donated 1 box of classroom supplies/teachers' resources
Painted school lunch room
Donated cash for purchase of linoleum tile for lunch room and new sick bay
Created 3 reading corners with Shermaine Bardouille's leadership, grades K-2

Isaiah Thomas Secondary School
Donated 8 boxes of library books
Created Literacy Center: painted room, bought building materials, built and painted 13 sets of bookshelves

Savanne Paille Primary School

Donated 2 boxes of children's reading books
Grand Bay Primary School
Donated 3 boxes of children's reading books
Morne Prosper Primary School
Donated 1 box of children's reading books
Petit Savanne Primary School
Donated 2 boxes of children's reading books
Saint Sauveur Primary School
Donated 1 box of children's reading books
Canefield Pre-School
Donated 1 box of classroom supplies/teachers’ resources
Donated 2 boxes of children’s reading books
Jinja Pre-School
Donated 3 boxes of children’s reading books
Donated 2 boxes of toys and classroom supplies/teachers’ resources
Mahaut River Pre-School
Constructed 6 activity tables for students
Donated some classroom resources
Shermaine Bardouille — Ministry of Education Literacy CCETT Reading Specialist
Donated 3 boxes of teachers’ resources and professional texts
Shani Charles — Learning Support for VPA
Arranged for dancer Christina Seggos to visit Dominica and run a dance workshop
Roseau Medical Clinic
Donated a DVD player and a digital projector
Donated 2 pallets of medical supplies
Dominica Youth Sailing Program
Donated 1 box of "Learn to Sail" books
Domsetco
Donated cash for sea turtle beach patrols
Irie Eco International Children’s Summer Program
Donated 1 box of craft supplies
Donated cash for summer program

May 2010 Update!
St. Kitts and Nevis • Leeward Islands • Eastern Caribbean
Tyrell Williams Primary School, St. Kitts
Donated 17 boxes of children’s books
Gingerland Primary School, Nevis
Donated 16 boxes of children’s books
St. John’s Primary School, Nevis
Donated 16 boxes of children’s books
Maintenance work on school doors and locks
Special Education School, Nevis
Donated 3 boxes of teachers’ resources and classroom supplies

May 2010 Update!
Union Island • Windward Islands • Eastern Caribbean
Stephanie Browne Primary School, Union Island
Donated 8 boxes of children’s books for school library
Donated 2 boxes of books for adult literacy program
Donated 2 boxes of teachers' resources and classroom supplies
Union Island Secondary School, Union Island
Donated 5 boxes of library books

ways you can work with Hands...
network with Hands If you have a project in which Hands can help — or if you want to help with the current Hands project — contact us!

collect books for Hands If'd you'd like to collect "gently used" children's books for Hands, please go to our Hands Book Drop page

sort or pack books for Hands Want to work hands-on? Please contact us!

host a Hands presentation or Hands fundraiser If'd you'd like to do either— contact us!

join the Hands Log eNews group If you would like to receive the Hands Log (e-mail newsletter) please click here. Just type "Subscribe" in the subject line of your e-mail and we'll keep you updated on where Hands is and what's next!