Cabarete and 3MM

Hi again!  I have made it to Cabarete!!  Yay!  I have actually been here since this past Tuesday but have neglected posting since I have been soooo busy!  When I arrived on Tuesday afternoon, I was introduced to many of my fellow volunteers as well as the director of the 3 Mariposas Montessori program, Sarah.  Everyone seems so nice so far and Sarah could not be any more hospitable or nice!  Currently I am staying with her and her husband and 2 year old son in their downstairs apartment which is amazing!!  I am living in the lap of luxury right now....at least until they finish the on-site lodging at the school.  Once the lodging is completed I am expected to move there and stay for the remainder of my time...oh to leave behind 24 hour electricity, hot water, and ceiling fans!!!

So far since arriving I have been going to the school everyday in order to paint, clean, and organize a few activities for the first week of summer camp which begins tomorrow.  I am very excited about finally meeting the children and working with them to improve their English skills!!!  I think the first week or two will be hard, just adjusting to everyday school life and the rhythm of things, but hopefully I will catch on quickly and the children will like me.

For those of you who don't know much about the school in which I will be working, I will give a little bit of basic information so that you can better understand.  It is called 3 Mariposas Montessori and it was founded by an American woman named Sarah.  Since it's foundation in 2009, the school as been dedicated to providing a sound education to the low-income and poverty stricken children in the surrounding neighborhood.  These children, through the kind donations of others, are able to attend school for free, and this year even summer camp!  Although 75% of the school's population is made of Dominican/Haitian children, the other 25% is comprised of immigrant children, such as children from American, German, and Australian families for example.  What a wonderful mixture!  These children get to grow up playing and learning with each other...helping them to view each other in a different light then they might have in different circumstances.  This year there have been 2 wonderful new announcements!  Number one, this year will be the first year that 3MM will provide a summer camp for the children and we have so many wonderful activities for the children!  Secondly, Sarah has announced that in the coming years the "graduated" children of 3MM will be able to receive free education at their partner school in the same area.  Since 3MM only provides education to children from infant-6 years of age this continuance of their education will be a life saver!  How exciting!

Okay, so that was the spill on 3MM.  I will attach the link to their website here: http://3mariposasmontessori.com/ so that if you are interested in finding out more about the school and the children, or if you might want to DONATE then you can!  Okay, Okay, you know I had to do that!

I imagine this first week may be hectic so as for today I have a very relaxing schedule set up of doing absolutely nothing!!  I will probably eat some breakfast and then head to the beach to chill out for the rest of the day!  Life is rough, huh?  :-)  Talk to you all soon!