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reaching 64 schools,
4 libraries, and over 13,000 children... |
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With donated books from the Hands
2011/2012 shipment, students at Villa Primary on Antigua
celebrate their new school library.
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Now's the time to help Caribbean
children by adopting all or
part
of a Wish List project!
Hands Across the Sea presents the 2012/2013
Wish Lists of school principals, literacy coordinators, librarians,
community leaders, and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers in the Eastern
Caribbean. Now's the time to make dreams come true for these
caring people who are creating school libraries, starting reading
groups, and setting up literacy centers where children can pick
up a great book, take it home to read and share with their siblings
and parents, and then return it for another great book.
Through our Caribbean Literacy and School
Support (CLASS) program we are helping to raise child literacy
levels by:
1. Sending great books — new or near-new top-
How
to "Adopt" all or part of a Wish List Project
online
1. Click
the "Click to adopt all or part of this project"
link under the Wish List project of your choice on this
page...
2. ...which
will take you to the Donate to Hands
page. Click the yellow PayPay DONATE button to jump to
the secure PayPal payment interface.
3. After you've
entered your donation amount and your name, contact details,
and credit card info into the PayPal form, click the "Review
Donation and Continue" button at the bottom...
4. ...which
takes you to the "Please review your donation"
PayPal page. Click the "Please add any comments here"
text link to open the Comments box (pictured below), and
then specify where you want your gift to go. Click the
"Donate $_____ USD Now" button at the bottom
of the form and your adoption is complete. Congratulations!
Thank you for helping open the door to literacy for Caribbean
children.
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quality books — that engage and
educate Caribbean children;
2. Establishing vibrant borrowing libraries;
3. Working with educators and U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteers to create
sustainable positive change.
Can you help Caribbean kids and schools
— pre-schools, kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary
schools — and community libraries, remedial reading programs,
and after-school youth centers by adopting all or part of a
Wish List project?
To adopt the project of your choice online, make
a donation via our secure PayPal interface and write a note
in the "Please add any comments here" PayPal field
(example pictured at right) telling us where we should direct
your gift.
Or, you can write a check and note the name of the project or
the Peace Corps Volunteer's name in the memo line (you'll find
our postal address on the Contact
Hands page).
Scroll down to see all the Wish Lists,
or click to go to the Wish Lists of a specific island:
Antigua •
Dominica •
Grenada •
St. Kitts and Nevis •
St. Lucia •
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Antigua •
Leeward Islands • Eastern Caribbean
Bolans Primary School
• ANTIGUA
The Mill Reef Fund has adopted this
project
Josea Joseph, Principal; 154
students
Background from Hands: Hands
shipped books to Bolans Primary last year to help Peace Corps
Volunteer Ryan Jones refurbish the school library. The Mill Reef
Fund on Antigua has given a grant to Hands Across the Sea to
be used for shipping new books to complete the project.
Clare Hall Secondary School
• ANTIGUA
Yacht "Por Dos"has
adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
E. Jonah Hill, Principal;
711 students
Background from Hands: Clare
Hall Secondary has been selected as a recipient of our U.S.
Embassy Public Affairs Grant — however the grant will not
cover the full cost of sending the requested library books.
Clare Hall is home to a dedicated group of teachers and staff
who are working hard to improve both the school's learning environment
and literacy levels. We will be supporting Clare Hall's library
effort by sending a variety of wonderful new books to bolster
their collection.
Irene B. Williams Secondary School
• ANTIGUA
Jessie & John have adopted this
project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
Vere Shaw, Principal; 60
students
Background from Hands: The Principal
reports that the school has just become a secondary school and
thus lacks the needed high school level reading and resource
materials. Most students do not possess computers or libraries
at home. Each class has one to two library periods a week, which
teaches students the fundamentals of library use and how to
analyze the contents and structure of books to gather information.
Irene B. Williams Secondary School needs informational books
about social studies, history, science, mathematics, geography, building
technology, visual arts, English literature, health, and information
technology, as well as atlases, dictionaries, and encyclopedias (Britannica or
Encarta).
Kids Unlimited Primary School
• ANTIGUA
Jonathan has donated $500
toward this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Amaryllis Weeks, Principal;
142 students
Cindy Reynolds, PTA
Background from Cindy Reynolds:
"The library has been in existence for about 15 years.
The library has not had its stocks replenished or replaced for
over five years (at least), and therefore the shelf life of
the books have deteriorated considerably. Kids Unlimited needs
series books which are graded, A-Z series, Early Readers (kindergarten
to Grade 3), books to improve memory skills, phonics books,
preschool books (hardback/flip books), series books such as
Horrible Histories, Horrible Science, Horrible Famous,
and a variety of fiction books for ages 5-10 years. replaced."
Background from Hands: The school is contributing $500
to purchase new books and we'd like to supplement their fundraising
efforts with an additional $2,000.
New Winthorpe Primary School
• ANTIGUA
Employees of CAC/WMI have donated
$1,920 toward this project; Nona has donated $80 toward
this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Mrs. Murrain, Principal;
130 students
Norma-Jean Arey, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Peace
Corps Volunteer Norma-Jean Arey is working hard to help another
Antigua school construct a beautiful new library. This school
needs books to get kids excited about reading, such as Diary
of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, History DVDs, sports
personalities, biographies, and reference books.
St. John's Lutheran School
• ANTIGUA
Adean has donated $600 toward this
goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Andrew Johnston, Principal;
260 students
Cindy Johnston, PTA
Background from Cindy Johnston:
"We have wood now and a volunteer carpenter who will be building
more shelves before the end of May. So, more shelving will be
there well before any books would arrive. St. John's Lutheran
School needs preschool level books (we have barely any books
for this age group), picture books, preschool/kindergarten books
(focus on colors/numbers/shapes/etc.), books on CD, Magic
School Bus sets, Clifford series, Usborne phonics
books, Beginning Reader books, Reference books (encyclopedias,
dictionaries), non-fiction books, DK books, Beginning Reader
chapter books, fiction books for grades 1-6, Beverly Cleary
sets, Magic Treehouse series. We are really looking for
all types of books from preschool through sixth grade. We have
very few books currently, so any and all would be appreciated...especially
book sets. We also need small cushions (Kids' Corner —
for little children to sit on while reading), small chairs/tables
(Kids' Corner), book ends, art supplies and possibly art easels."
Background from Hands: St. John's Lutheran School is
contributing $800 to purchase new books and we'd like to supplement
their fundraising efforts with an additional $1,200.
St. Mary's Secondary School
• ANTIGUA
The Mill Reef Fund and William &
Nona have adopted this project
Myrna Issac, Principal;
160 students
Norma-Jean Arey, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Peace
Corps Volunteer Norma-Jean Arey has helped build a beautiful
library at this secondary school. To continue to help Norma-Jean
launch sustainable creative reading programs, St. Mary's
has also been selected to receive a grant from the Mill
Reef Fund.
Dominica • Windward Islands •
Eastern Caribbean
Achievement Learning Center
• DOMINICA
Anne & Kendrick have
donated $500 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $750 goal
Beverly Leblanc, Director;
20 students
Background from Beverly Leblanc:
"Achievement Learning Center is a training center. We cater
for youth and adults. We offer homework help, special-education
classes, tutoring services, adult education services for adults
who want to get their GED. We are in the process of offering
a training program to parents called Help Your Child Read. We
are located on the outskirts of Roseau, Dominica's main city,
and presently we have three staff members. Our youngest student
is five in the after-school program, the youngest student in
the special education program is 10, and the oldest student
is 51, in the adult GED program. Achievement Learning Center
needs mystery books, Magic School Bus, Beverly Cleary, Theodore
Taylor books, audio books, Meagan Morgan MacDonald, Judy
and Stink, and Rick Riordan."
CALLS (Center where Adolescents
Learn to Love and Serve)
DOMINICA
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $500 goal
Olivia Douglas, Principal;
40 Students
David Genovesi, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Located
in Portsmouth, this center helps high-school dropouts develop
vocational skills and life skills on the way to becoming good
citizens. Hands is committed to helping U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
David Genovesi and his efforts with woodworking classes at the
school. CALLS needs woodworking and art books and manuals, and
woodworking supplies.
Campbell Primary School
• DOMINICA
Employees of CAC/WMI have donated
$830 toward this project; Campbell Primary School has raised
$800
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,630 goal
Yvette Stedman, Principal;
41 students
Maggie Rust, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: This
school's staff and principal, alongside a gerneous U.S. donor,
have already accomplished a great deal by raising $800 dollars
for their school's library. Hands is looking for donors to step
up and match these funds.
Castle Bruce Primary School
• DOMINICA
Tony has donated $195, Sandra has donated
$25, and The Beverly Foundation has donated $1,280 toward
this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Jovin Joseph, Principal;
150 students
Patti McInerney, community leader
Background from Patti McInerney
& Hands : Castle Bruce Primary's school goal is "to
improve performance at the National Examination. To enable each
child at the school to read at his/her class level." My
personal goal is to have fun and enjoyable books available for
the children so they will love reading. Castle Bruce Primary
needs Caribbean-themed books and authors, I Can Read
books (levels 1-4), boys' high/low books, adventure, wildlife,
dinosaurs, Spiderman, Captain Underpants, Archie comic
books, Magic School Bus, Magic Treehouse, Nickelodeon
books, Scooby Doo. Background
from Hands: Patti McInerney has been very successful at
encouraging boys to read and take books out. We'd like to purchase
additional books for boys and series books, as well as Caribbean
children's authors.
Clifton Primary School
• DOMINICA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Maria George have donated $1,490.70 and exceeded the goal!
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Teddy Wallace, Principal; 61
students
Maria George, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Hands
Across the Sea has been working with Clifton Primary and Principal
Wallace for two years. Clifton Primary is now working on improving
its library collection with more leveled readers and age-appropriate
books. The students have taken a big step forward in literacy
rates, and they are ready for new, more challenging books.
Goodwill Primary School
• DOMINICA
Sandy & Polly have adopted this
project
Mirian Lewis, Principal; 650
students
Background from Hands: As part
of our partnership with the Lions Club, we are supplying Goodwill
Primary with "guided reading" books to help Lions
Club volunteers work with slow readers at the school.
Grand Fond Primary School
• DOMINICA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Denver Sicay have donated $500 toward this project
Click
to adopt all or part of this project: $600 goal
Hatty Leslie, Principal;
85 students
Denver Sicay, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Hands
has partnered with a Dominican non-profit, Open Books Open Minds,
to refurbish this library in a rural primary school in the mountains
of Dominica's rainforest. Hands is now continuing to support
this library with the help of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Denver
Sicay. Grand Fond needs chapter books for Grades 5 and 6, Easy
Readers for kindergarten and Grade 1, and games, puzzles,
and memory skills games.
Isulukati Special Education and
Pre-School •
DOMINICA
The Beverly Foundation has adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Connie Williams, Principal;
47 students
Patti McInerney, community leader
Background from Hands: This
school, located in the Kalinago Reserve of Dominica, is one
of the nation's only special education programs; the school
also is home to a preschool. American retiree Patti McInerney
reached out to Hands for help with this wonderful school. The
goal of Isulukati School is to provide a suitable, safe, and
loving learning environment for special-needs students and pre-school
students. The preschool children need educational games and
puzzles, story books, and art supplies. The special needs students
need computer paper and ink for the printer, high/low books,
beginners books, and reference books.
Isaiah Thomas Secondary School
• DOMINICA
Employees of CAC/WMI have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Jerome Bardouille, Principal;
505 students
Sandra Roberts, Literacy Director
Background from Hands: A passionate
principal and teaching staff is turning around this underserved
high school; many of the students come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Hands has been fortunate enough to have built a strong relationship
with this school and staff as well as constructing their new
literacy center.
Laudat Primary School
• DOMINICA
Heidi has adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $500 goal
Eugenia Richards, Principal;
25 students
Arianne Magloire, PTA President
Background from Hands: Laudat
Primary needs a range of non-fiction and fiction for this little
school located way up in the Roseau Valley, a long bus ride
from the capital city of Roseau.
Morne Jaune Primary School
• DOMINICA
Tony has adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $500 goal
Vanya Eloi, Principal; 63
students
Curel Robin, Teacher
Background from Hands: Hands
will be assisting teacher Curel Robin, who reached out to us
for teaching and school supplies. She is also looking for supplies
for her youth group,"Pretty Girls Rock." We have built
a relationship with this school in the past with the help of
U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Judy Joyce, who remains an active
member of the school community.
Northeast Comprehensive Secondary
School •
DOMINICA
The Beverly Foundation has
adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
Chandler Hyacinth, Principal;
614 students
Background from Hands: This
large rural secondary school in northeast Dominica, about two
hours by bus from the capital city of Roseau, has been selected
as a recipient of our U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Grant —
however the grant will not cover the full cost of sending the
requested library books. Our goal is to help implement a vibrant,
sustainable borrowing library at Northeast Comprehensive.
Open Books Open Minds
•
Dominica
Open Books Open Minds has adopted
this project
(assisting: Grand Fond Primary School
• Pichelin Primary School •
Bagatelle Primary School • Delices
Primary School • Jones Beaupierre
Primary School • Morne Jaune Primary
School • Petit Savanne Primary
School)
Click to adopt
all or part of this project
Samuel Raphael, President
Pamela Chiang, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Open
Books Open Minds (OBOM) is a literacy-focused Dominican NGO
that refurbishes libraries and develops creative reading programs
in southeast Dominica. Founded by the owner of Jungle Bay Resort
& Spa and U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, OBOM is a longtime Hands
partner. We work with OBOM to evaluate library and literacy
programs and to collect data on students' literacy skills. Hands
purchases and ships books for OBOM projects at discounted prices.
Paix Bouche Primary School
• DOMINICA
Tony has adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $700 goal
Cynthia Joseph, Principal; 104students
Background from Hands: Paix
Bouche Primary needs multiple copies of story books for kindergarten
to Grade 6 readers, along with a wide range of classroom supplies,
from pencils to exercise books to art supplies.
Penville Primary School
• DOMINICA
The Beverly Foundation has adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Euella Joseph, Principal; 108
students
Background from Hands:
Principal Euella Joseph has done a superb job of creating a
dynamic borrowing library that excites and challenges her students
and reaches out to the surrounding community, where Creole is
the dominant language and illiteracy has long been a challenge.
Penville Primary needs educational games (such as Snakes
and Ladders, and math and concentration/focus games), markers
for white boards, books for boys (robots, vehicles, animals,
adventure) for all grade levels; class sets of books for their
very popular reading program (sponsored by the Dominica Lions
Club and the Roseau Credit Union). Penville Primary is on the
move!
Roseau Primary School
• DOMINICA
Sandy & Polly have adopted this
project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $150 goal
Gretta Roberts, Principal; 250
students
Background from Hands: Gretta
Roberts is doing a fabulous job improving every aspect of Roseau
Primary, from providing nutritious lunches for students every
day to raising literacy and achievement levels in every grade.
This is a school and a principal that Hands is very excited
about supporting! As part of our partnership with the
Lions Club, we are supplying Roseau Primary with "guided
reading" books to help Lions Club volunteers work with
slow readers at the school.
Roseau Public Library
• DOMINICA
Allegra has adopted this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
Davina Jones, Head Librarian
Background from Hands: Roseau
Public Library is Dominica's main library, and was built in
the early 1900's by American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
The library needs adult self-help and how-to books, physics
and chemistry for secondary school students, CXC (Caribbean
Examination Council) study guides, Junie B. Jones and
Wimpy Kids series, Barbara pack, and educational
DVDs. Hands would like to complement the efforts of the U.S.
Embassy for their newly-created "American Corner"
in this Dominican library.
Salisbury Primary School
• DOMINICA
Sandy & Polly have donated
$1,200 toward this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Burton Vidal, Principal;
127 students
Erin Sozanski, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: This
school, located in an isolated community on a hill overlooking
the ocean, has a vibrant borrowing library that is used enthusiastically
by students as well as the village community. Salisbury Primary
needs a wide range of Scholastic titles, from Guinness World
Records Ultimate Gross Records to Scooby Doo Comic Storybook
Camp Fear to Wild and Wacky Jokes and Riddles to
Nature's Miracles and Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science.
From the DK Eyewitness Series I have requests for Cars, Olympics,
Natural Disasters, Robot (the most requested), Africa,
Basketball, Climate Change, Chemistry, Cowboy, Crime & Detection,
Dance, Earth, Electronics, Energy, Epidemics, Evolution, Plants,
Sharks, Whales, Reptiles, and Submarine.
Tete Morne Primary School
• DOMINICA
Employees of CAC/WMI have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Nathalie Jude, Principal;
146 students
Background from Nathalie Jude:
"We are presently involved in a reading intervention program
and are in need of graded reading series books. Also most of
the struggling readers are boys, so books of particular interest
to boys are being sought."
Woodford Hill Primary School
• DOMINICA
Supporters of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Emily Hays have donated $2,297 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Martha Carbon, Principal; 118
students
Emily Hays, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: The library
in its current state is unusable. The few books that are on
the shelves are old, torn, and not relevant. The village has
no public library and no other school, so the children in the
village have no source for books. The immediate goals of the
Woodford Hill Primary school library project are to help students
improve their reading ability and help them develop a love of
reading, and to turn the library into a borrowing library so
the kids can bring books home. The long-term goal of the school
is to turn out students who are literate and can be successful
in secondary school.
Wotten Waven Primary School
• DOMINICA
Sandy & Polly have donated
$375 and Tony has donated $80 toward this project
Supporters of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Maggie Rust have donated
$100 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $750 goal
David Maximea, Principal;
36 students
Maggie Rust, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Hands
is asking donors to support U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Maggie
Rust in her efforts to improve the library in this small rural
school, located in a beautiful village that is the site of healing
and relaxing hot springs.
Grenada • Windward Islands •
Eastern Caribbean
Corinth Government School
• GRENADA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Amanda Dombach have donated $620 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $600 goal
Joslyn Augustus, Principal;
156 students
Amanda Dombach, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Amanda Dombach:
"The library was created at the school a year and a half
ago thanks to donations from Hands Across the Sea. Every day
since it has opened, I have been bombarded with eager children
who want to come inside and read or play some of the board games.
" Corinth Government School needs poster board, toilet
paper, chalk, copy paper, printer ink, pencils, pencil sharpeners,
erasers, tape, staplers, and art supplies."
Crochu Primary School
• GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $650 goal
Kester Lyons, Principal;
500 students
Background from Hands: This
school has been recently refurbished after Hurricane Ivan and
they set aside a room at their own initiative to create a library.
There are newly installed shelves and some books from two donors
in the USA. Most of these books are for older readers and they
have a big gap in early readers for grades K to 2, chapter books
for grades 3 and 4, and books for boys. A Grenadian Youth Empowerment
Worker is the librarian. Please help us fill in the gaps with
age-appropriate books and some Caribbean literature.
Grenville Secondary School
• GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,350 goal
Olivia Phillip, Librarian; 659
students
Background from Hands: When
we visited this school in February 2011 the library was in a
state of disrepair. Since then a very motivated Librarian and
English department staff have painted, reorganized the shelves,
culled old books, installed new windows, tables and chairs and
created a welcoming reading environment in a town which lacks
a public library and is located on the other side of the island
from the capital St. Georges. We'd like to continue to support
these teachers' efforts with non-fiction books, high interest-/low
reading level books and young adult fiction. Textbooks about
agricultural science are particularly needed.
Hope Pals
• GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Rachel Charles, Director; 19
campers
Background from Rachel Charles:
"Hope Pals focuses on providing care support and treatment
services for persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The
boys and girls ages range from three to 18. The list of supplies
we presently need include crayons, markers, beach balls, children's
racquets, coloring books, exercise books, pencils, pens, book
bags, storybooks, learning materials (such as cue cards and
games). Is there any way some flip flops and sandal or shoes
can be included to assist the underprivileged students?"
L'Esterre Rosary School
• GRENADA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Leanne Pomeroy have donated $2,441 toward this goal
Marilyn & Mark have donated
$400 toward this project
Ellen & Chris have donated $2,000 toward this
project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $4,700 goal
Sharon Bristol, Principal;
120 students
Leanne Pomeroy, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Leanne Pomeroy:
"The current room (not sure if I would call it a library)
has books piled on tables or broken, weather-worn cardboard
shelves. There are new headsets but no means in which to play
them or even any CD's. There are a few Big Books (Magic
School Bus, Red Ripe Strawberry, Silly Sally) and
a handful of picture books. The floor consists of ripped tiles
and there is just one long table in the middle of the room.
There are no crayons, manipulatives, or posters with fun educational
facts. The room is not welcoming except when it is full of students,
reading along with one another. I hope that one day I will be
able to see this, but in the setting and environment these children
so deserve. It would be great to have more academic material,
books that help even a slow learner gather new information,
but also books that cater to advanced students. There are outdated
encyclopedias and very few/aged dictionaries."
Background from Hands: We have spoken to both Leanne
and Sharon and would like to support their summer refurbishment
efforts to re-tile the floor, build new bookshelves and install
fresh books for a library re-opening in the fall.
MacDonald College
• GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
Lorraine De Allie, Principal;
533 students
Background from Hands: This
secondary school in rural Grenada has been selected as a recipient
of our U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Grant — however the
grant will not cover the full cost of sending the requested
library books. Located in one of the poorest parishes in Grenada,
this school is in serious need of new resources. The school
has a solid academic track record and the principal and staff
are excited about the prospect of receiving beautiful new
books for their borrowing library to inspire their students.
Mt. Airy Young Readers Programme
• GRENADA
Roger & Ilene have adopted this
project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $100 goal
Jeanne and Everest Pascal;
serves 60+ students
Background from Hands: This
retired local couple, with the help of visiting sailors from
nearby harbors, run a remedial reading program on Saturdays.
Hands will be shipping new books donated by a children's book
author.
Nation Builders
• GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project;
Amanda has donated $15 to this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $600 goal
Marlene Neptune, Director;
100 participants
Background from Marlene Neptune:
"Nation Builders is a summer camp for young Grenadians.
This year's camp is catering for about 100 students, 50 at
Grade 7 and 50 at Grade 8. We need books, charts or posters
( periodic table, human body and organs, models), molecular
model set, books, puzzles, games, study charts, educational,
DVDs,Slinky springs (metal or plastic). We also need classroom
supplies - exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, glue , tape,
markers, crayons, labels, scissors, rubber bands, stickers,
sticky tabs, compass, construction paper (colored and white),
Play Doh, dyes, K'nex (or any books or items that would nurture
interests in robotics and electronics). Dream item: projector.
Topics the children are interested in include physical science,
astronomy, chemistry, physics, sports science, cooking and
food science, electricity and electronics, mechanical science,
plant biology, human biology, genetics, microbiology, ocean
science, the ecosystem, weather and atmosphere (clouds, seasons,
natural disasters, hurricanes), geology, social sciences,
communication skills, leadership, and team building."
Programme for Adolescent Mothers
(PAM) •
GRENADA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Samantha Leonard have donated $45 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,500 goal
Mrs. Alva Lawrence, Manager; 16 students
Samantha Leonard, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Samantha Leonard:
The mission of the Programme for Adolescent Mothers (PAM)
is to provide an opportunity for pregnant adolescents and
teenage mothers to complete their secondary school education
and sit for the regional examinations. This programme is essentially
the only opportunity for adolescent mothers to finish their
secondary school education in Grenada. PAM has existed in
Grenada since 1994, but the current St. Andrew's branch only
opened officially in January of this year. While the St. George's
branch is well established, the St. Andrew's branch is still
in need of many supplies, books, and r esources. The library
is limited to two or three shelves, there are few books and
art/school supplies for the students, and even fewer for their
children in the daycare. The mission of PAM is important -
to empower and enrich the lives of adolescent mothers and
to provide them with the education necessary to leading successful
lives - and books and supplies are needed to fulfill this
mission. PAM would be very grateful for any support that can
be provided by Hands Across the Sea.
Roving Caregivers
•
GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $600 goal
Dawne Cyrus, Director; 391
children
Background from Hands and Dawne
Cyrus: RCP Grenada which runs parenting workshops and
goes into homes to improve parenting skills and foster early
childhood education have received some funding from the Grenadian
government since the withdrawal of the Bernard van Leer Foundation.
The funding however does not extend to board books, cloth
books, Caribbean-themed books, jumbo crayons, kids' paint,
brushes, paper and glue. We hope our donors will support this
early intervention program with resources.
St. Joseph's RC Primary School
•
GRENADA
Marilyn & Mark have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $650 goal
Patsy George, Principal; 264
students
Background from Patsy George:
"We have a library run by a Youth Empowerment worker and one
shelf of books that are old and outdated. Many students are
reading well below grade level. The school needs informational
and fiction books for all grades." Background from Hands:
Our goal is to ship them a supply of new books and visit the
school to assess future needs.
St. Kitts and Nevis • Leeward
Islands • Eastern Caribbean
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FROM
TOP: At Basseterre High School, the school library is
geared toward providing students the research materials
they need; Tom Wieland, a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer,
has done a great job rejuvenating the library at Irish
Town Primary School.
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Basseterre High School
• ST.
KITTS
Employees of CAC/WMI have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
Carlene Henry Morton, Principal;
761 students
Background from Hands: This
secondary school in St. Kitts already has a successful library
program. The school trains its students in library and research
skills and is committed to furthering literacy on St. Kitts.
The Basseterre High School library program includes the teaching
of library skills and research skills as well as introducing
students to study tips and creating study timetables. The school
needs contemporary fiction and Caribbean-themed books, and materials
to assist reading comprehension in math, science, English, and
history, as well as software for mathematics.
Irish Town Primary School
• ST.
KITTS
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Tom Wieland have donated $15 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Jean Boddie, Principal;
150 students
Tom Wieland, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Tom Wieland:
"I would like to see more science books, especially about
dinosaurs (that's what fascinates the boys). The girls love
the modern Molly Macguire books or dance books, or the
books they can write in with an erasable pen. They love that
book and have about used it up. We could use a lot more beginning
reading books for kindergarten and Grade 1."
Saddlers Secondary School
• ST.
KITTS
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
Adina Richards, Principal;
205 students
Jeanette Maitland, Librarian
Background from Hands: Saddlers
has been selected as a recipient of our U.S. Embassy Public
Affairs Grant — however the grant will not cover the full
cost of sending the requested library books. Saddlers is implementing
a very impressive library system and needs more books for the
program to be sustained. Hands looks forward to working with
Jeanette Maitland, Saddlers' librarian, who holds a Masters
of Arts degree in Library Science.
St. Lucia • Windward Islands •
Eastern Caribbean
Banse La Grace Combined School
• ST.
LUCIA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Kyle Pyke have donated $1,175 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
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FROM
TOP: U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Kyel Pyke with students
at Banse La Grace Combined School; at Belle Vue Combined
School, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Rachel Johns wants
to capture the interest of reluctant readers —
and much much more.
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Virginia Edward, Principal;
100 students
Kyle Pyke, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Kyle Pyke: "The
children adore the books they have but would appreciate a greater
selection. They can't stop reading through all the comedic books
and children's mysteries. Another goal is to acquire more books
that are tailored for reading aloud. The school is trying to
give the library a remodel. It has been a while since the library
has had any major maintenance done. The bookshelves need replacing
and the school is looking at replacing them with metal shelves.
The books themselves have seen better days, many are worn out
because they are constantly checked-out. There is also a fairly
decent space available to make a reading nook. Some carpet and
comfortable chairs would make it a pleasant place to enjoy a
book. We'd love to get some Shel Silverstein poetry books!"
Belle Vue Combined School
• ST.
LUCIA
Employees of CAC/WMI have donated
$1,500 toward this project; supporters of U.S. Peace Corps
Volunteer
Rachel Johns have donated $335
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
Anna Zilma Poleon, Principal;
200 students
Rachel Johns, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Rachel Johns:
"The reading room at our school is currently utilized by
each class and by a service learning program where older students
read to children from the neighboring preschools. Though frequently
utilized, the reading room is under-stocked with relevant books
for the children. In support of the school's literacy plan to
develop practical skills and a love of reading, we want to enhance
the types of books available to be used by classes and the service
learning program. Our goals include capturing the interest of
hesitant readers, facilitating reading for enjoyment, and promoting
social-emotional competencies through the integration of literacy
and service learning. Belle Vue Combined School needs social-emotional
story books (examples can be found at http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/documents/booklist.pdf),
comic books or graphic novels; non-fiction/science/biography;
remedial books/resources for older students (Grades 3-6)."
Bonne Terre Preparatory School
• ST.
LUCIA
School staff and supporters
of Bonne Terre Prep have met this goal
Click to
adopt all or part of this project: $665 goal
Jennifer Alexander,
Principal; 175 students
Staci Landwehr, Librarian
Background from Hands: An American
parent, Staci Landwehr, successfully refurbished the library
last year with books from Hands, and we are sending another
shipment of new books.
Dennery Primary School
• ST.
LUCIA
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FROM
TOP: Dennery Primary School, located on the rural, west
side of St. Lucia, is where U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Destini Monai is working to creat a great school library;
Gros Ilet Secondary School, selected as a recipient
of the Hands U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Grant, needs
great new books to revitalize its library.
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Supporters of U.S. Peace Corps
Volunteer
Destini Monai have donated $715 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,800 goal
Ben James, Principal; 250
students
Desteni Monai, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Destini Monai:
"Dennery Primary needs graded book series ( Level 1,
Level 2, etc.), and easy puzzles. Topics the students are
interested in include cars and dogs/animals. The school needs
a set of children's encyclopedias and Big Books (for
reading circles), books with audio recording tape, comic books,
Easy Books (Level 1), and Dr. Seuss."
Grande Riviere Primary School
• ST.
LUCIA
Supporters of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Bob Heitker have donated $2,043 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Mauricia Alcee, Principal; 250
students
Bob Heitker, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: U.S.
Peace Corps Volunteer Bob Heitker is teaming up with Hands to
provide the students with a beautiful new collection of books
for theGrand Riviere school library. Please help us revive a
long-abandoned library with new age-appropriate, culturally-relevant
books for the kids.
Gros Islet Secondary School
• ST.
LUCIA
Bill & Sue have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
Delia Alcindor-Charles, Principal;
481 students
Background from Hands: Right
now Gros Islet Secondary has an ineffective library full of
books that are inappropriate for the students. Gros Islet
has been selected as a recipient of our U.S. Embassy Public
Affairs Grant — however the grant will not cover the
full cost of sending the requested library books — and
the Hands goal is to revitalize the library.
Kiddy's Homey Day Care
• ST.
LUCIA
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $500 goal
Ruth Frederick, Principal;
30 students
Background from Hands: In partnership
with the U.S.-based non-profit, Global Volunteers, Hands will
be supporting this preschool/daycare center with brand new picture
books so that the staff has the resources to prepare the children
for primary school. By helping these young children, Hands hopes
to engender an interest in reading from a young age.
Kids Step DC
• ST.
LUCIA
Don & Cathey have adopted
this project
Click to adopt all or part of this project: $500 goal
Wilcina Gabriel, Principal;
30 students
Background from Hands: In partnership
with the U.S.-based non-profit, Global Volunteers, Hands will
be supporting this preschool/daycare center with brand new picture
books so that the staff has the resources to prepare the children
for primary school. By helping these young children, Hands hopes
to engender an interest in reading from a young age..
Montessori School
• ST.
LUCIA
School staff and supporters of Montessori
School have met this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $983 goal
Myrtle John-Murray, Principal; 280 students
Jamie Stiede, local parent
Background from Hands: This
is a private school that has a new room for a library and needs
new books as well as class sets for group reading. The school
has set aside funds to purchase the books, but we additional
funds for packing and shipping.
Soufriere Secondary School
• ST.
LUCIA
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $500 goal
Joan Hippolyte, Principal:
550 students
Background from Hands: Hands
Across the Sea is looking into purchasing a badly-needed multifunction
printer for this large secondary school in St. Lucia.
Vieux Fort Public Library
•
ST. LUCIA
Don & Cathey have donated
$500 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Dawn Leonce, Librarian
Toni Urban, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: The public
library in Vieux Fort, at the southern end of the island, is
a popular place for both youth and adults. The librarian is
in great need of a new and improved children and toddlers section.
Hands is on board to help make this project successful and to
help provide the children of Vieux Fort with a wide variety
of great new books.
Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary
School (Campus A) •
ST. LUCIA
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Adam Wohlman have donated $350 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Cardelia Ambrose, Principal;
524 students
Adam Wohlman, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: At Vieux
Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (Campus A) in St. Lucia,
the U.S. Peace Corps and school staff share the common goal
of facilitating a greater interest in reading among the student
body by introducing accessible, relevant, and exciting literature
in a revitalized library space. Hands Across the Sea will purchase
and ship beautiful new books from leading publishing companies
at discounted rates. Please help us reach our $2,000 goal to
make this project possible. Thank you!
Vieux Fort Special Education
School •
ST. LUCIA
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Ms. Palma Joseph, Principal
Background from Hands: Special
education schools are few in the Caribbean, and Hands is committed
to their support. Vieux Fort Special Education School needs
a wide variety of books and resources.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines •
Windward Islands • Eastern Caribbean
Barrouallie Government School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Supporters of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Jessica Sances have donated $1,233 toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,500 goal
Vibert Pierre, Principal;
302 students
Jessica Sances, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Jessica Sances:
The school is located in the coastal village of Barrouallie,
the third largest community in Saint Vincent, with an economy
based largely on the local fisheries and many entrepreneurs.
While opportunities for youth in the community are developing,
with a thriving Sports Association and some after-school programs,
the area still faces obstacles common throughout the Eastern
Caribbean — crime, poverty, a lack of funding and resources,
and young people struggling with literacy.
The school principal, Mr. Vibert Pierre,
and a dedicated staff of teachers work hard to promote literacy,
self discipline, and academic achievement in the primary school
students. While there is an existing library, the books are
old, in disrepair, and often difficult for the students to relate
to or become interested in. In addition, there is only one book
in duplicate copies for students to read as a class or in groups.
Since I work with struggling readers in small groups, it is
difficult for me to find appropriate reading material that the
students can read and enjoy together. The school and students
would benefit greatly from leveled reading book sets, both fiction
and non-fiction. As I work with struggling readers, some of
whom have disabilities, age-appropriate readers are key. For
example, a struggling sixth grader in this school is forced
to read books designed for first graders — books that are
at his or her instructional reading level, but are childish
and boring for the student's age.
I have also found that incorporating art into reading and writing
training is helpful for students who don't learn as well in
a typical classroom setting. Thus art supplies are needed here
as well: construction paper, markers, colored pencils, glitter,
glue, stencils, and the like can all make learning far more
interesting and fun, while reinforcing basic classroom principles.
The staff at Barrouallie Government School is dedicated and
hard working. While the library is off to a good start, the
students and staff alike would appreciate help in making our
library more complete, with books that are modern, up-to-date,
and engaging for the youth of the Caribbean. Book sets (about
10 each) would be greatly appreciated, particularly for grades
four through six, and engaging children's books as well for
the younger ages; I enjoy reading them with students and then
designing activities based on the books, which is why the art
supplies would be beneficial.
Buccament Government School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Allegra has donated $1,000
toward this goal
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,200 goal
Artis Robinson, Principal;
172 students
Background from Hands: This
school was recommended to us by a Vincentian who is studying
in the U.S.; we shipped books to them last year. Buccament Government
Schol is located in the beautiful Vermont Valley up a mountain
road in a rural community. The library is not just important
to the local primary school students but to the adults as well.
The Buccament Government School needs adult fiction and non-fiction
including mysteries, non-fiction books for students in Grades
4-6, and books for boys: biographies, sports, and science.
Cane End Government School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Supporters of U.S. Peace
Corps Volunteer
Jessica Greathouse have donated $1,100 toward this goal; employees
of CAC/WMI have donated $1,000 toward this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,000 goal
Ave Weekes-Stephens, Principal;
135 students
Jessica Greathouse, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: U.S.
Peace Corps Volunteer Jessica Greathouse has done an amazing
job refurbishing the school library and the children have quickly
devoured the 700 books they received last year. They have 12
student librarians who manage the library with oversight from
the teaching staff. They'd like beginning readers with phonics
instruction that the teachers can use, early chapter books for
grades 2 to 4, great series books for grades 5 and 6 and non-fiction
for all grade levels on health, science, peer pressure and sports
such as cricket and soccer. They would also love 12 pencil sharpeners
- one for each classroom!
Diamond Government School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Elizabeth Johnson, Principal;
126 students
Julie Mills, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Julie
Mills has done an amazing job rallying the community for support
for her library project, The space is newly refurbished and
the result has been excitement not only among the children of
the village but also the adults. They'd like to receive more
books this year that will appeal to adult men, grades K-2, non-fiction
books at all levels and class sets of 6 to 8 books for reading
circles for grades 4 to 6. The Diamond Government School library's
goal is to create a culture of reading in the community where
all ages can take out books, and the space can be used for after-school
programs, media and technology assistance, and read-aloud sessions.
Thanks to many donors, this village is fostering a love of reading
at many levels!
Kingstown Government School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Maureen Brackin, Principal;
511 students
Katie SanFilippo, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: We shipped
books to this school last year and in a recent conversation
with Principal Maureen Brackin we learned:" The children
love the books. The library is located inside the resource room
and is open every day and after school for an hour. Everybody
really appreciates the new books." With the help of U.S.
Peace Corps Volunteer Katie SanFilippo, the school is working
on a grant proposal from St. Vincent's Basic Needs Trust to
create a standalone building to house a new library to serve
the large student population. Now needed are beginning-level
to middle-level reading books, beginning chapter books, especially
Goosebumps, Beverly Cleary and Magic School
Bus, Caribbean-themed children's books and non-fiction that
will appeal to boys.
Marriaqua Public Library
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Mike & Lee have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,000 goal
Shanelle Glasgow, Librarian
Valarie Pelletier, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Background from Hands: Marriaqua
Public Library sits between the two halves of Emmanuel High
School. Since the advent of universal secondary education, the
high school has had to accommodate many more students and lost
the room that used to house a library. U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer
Valarie Pelletier created a wonderful reading room for the Form
1 and 2 students (Grades 7 and 8), but there is no library in
the upper school. Our goal is to send books to the public library
to improve the collection for primary school students as well
as attract secondary students. The library needs young adult
and suspense fiction, infant board books, popular children's
non-fiction books and exam study guides for the Form 5 students
(Grade 11).
Petit Bordel Secondary School
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Bill & Sue have adopted
this project
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $1,600 goal
Wendy Rodney, Principal; 340
students
Background from Hands: This
rural, northwestern most secondary school has a population of
students who are eager to learn and excited for new resources
although many are remedial readers . The school has a librarian,
librarian assistant, and student librarians all willing to help
this library reach new levels. Petit Bordel been selected as
a recipient of our U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Grant —
however the grant will not cover the full cost of sending the
requested library books.
School for Children with Special
Needs, Georgetown
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Click to
adopt all or part of this project: $100 goal
Catherine Cuffy, Principal;
24 students
Ryan Eder, U.S. Peace Corps
Volunteer
Background from Hands: U.S.
Peace Corps Volunteer Ryan Eder successfully obtained new Braille
books from Seedlings Braille Books for Children for several
blind children at this special needs school. Ryan arranged for
the books to be shipped to the Hands warehouse in East Bridgewater,
Massachusetts, and Hands will be sending these books to St.
Vincent for Ryan. We are seeking donations to cover the cost
of packing materials and shipping.
St. Vincent National Library
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Click to adopt
all or part of this project: $2,600 goal
Michelle King, Librarian
Background from Hands: We visited
this beautiful new national library in early 2011 and noticed
the huge space and lack of books. The U. S. Embassy in Barbados
has supported the library with an infusion of American literature.
Ms. King is requesting math, English, science and geography
reference books, books for babies and popular middle grade and
young adult fiction such as Goosebumps and "books
about vampires."
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ways you can work with Hands...
how to donate
The easiest way to donate is via the
secure PayPal interface on the Donate to
Hands page. Cash donations can be made through a check made
out to "Hands Across the Sea, Inc." and mailed to
Hands Across the Sea, Inc., 651 Orchard Street, Suite 203,
New Bedford, MA 02744. If you have a specific school or
project you'd like to "adopt," please tell us in the
Comments section of the PayPal interface or on your check.
how to donate books to
Hands
If you'd like to donate new books,
please go to our Hands Book Drop
page or contact
us!
sort or pack books for Hands
Want to work hands-on? Please contact
us!
host a Hands presentation or Hands
fundraiser If 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 the latest from Hands!
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