Update: The boys are sponsored... thank you!!
Meet Andi and Yoandi, my "brothers". Growing up in a family of girls, I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother. Two years ago when I met their family, we became very close quite instantly. Ever since, they have declared themselves my brothers. When we text or talk on the phone, they address me as "hermana"... sister.
The boys and their sister Andrielis lived with their mother and father when they were young. At the age when Andi, the eldest, should have been starting school, their father left their mother for his new girlfriend and took the kids away from her and moved to another city. She was heartbroken, and so were the kids. They were not treated well, and Andi was made to go on the streets to shine shoes to bring in an income. It wasn't until four years ago, when their father died, that they finally returned to their mother, Sonia. Life since then has not been easy, as she is unemployed unless she can find sporadic work cleaning. To the left, you can see the strip along which they live. It sits upon a filthy beach that has given both boys infections requiring medical attention in the past 2 years.
Andi is 15 years old, born March 17. Yoandi is 11 years old, born October 4th. Andi is in grade 5 and Yoandi is in grade 3. Both boys have failed this grade two years in a row. Them failing says a lot about how they are doing in school. The Dominican education system is the worst I have seen in all my travels. Kids are passed through grades lazily, learning very little. The boys struggle with reading and writing simple sentences. Yoandi, at age 11, has trouble writing his own name and letters are often backwards or missing. Andi's teacher thinks he has a learning disability, and kids with learning disabilities do not fare well in Dominican schools. She has told Sonia to send Andi to a psychiatrist to medicate him.
For the past few months, I have been working closely with the boys' sister, Andreilis. I have been raising funds to put her into private tutoring sessions with an American friend, Caitlin, who lives in their city. As you can see from the blog for
Andrielis' Education Fund, it has been going very well. Caitlin has a lot of experience tutoring, and knows what the Dominican school system is like, so Andrielis has come a long way, and has a great role model to look up to who talks to her about higher education and studying every day. It is time for the boys to also begin lessons with Caitlin, but since my fundraising is currently tied up in trying to get Andrielis into a private school for high school, I cannot start until I have each of the boys sponsored.
The boys will get tutored together, as they are at similar levels in terms of literacy and english. Caitlin will be doing a home visit soon with the boys and their mom, planning out an educational path and getting the boys' input on their schooling. One lesson a week for both of them, including their motoconcho fare to get to the school, will cost $15/week. I need to find a sponsor for each boy at $30/month to cover these classes. If we don't step in and improve their education, the boys simply will not become literate. Andi's teacher already thinks it is too late for him, and Yoandi is following in the same path. The boys are rambunctious, have trouble focusing, and struggle with simple literacy. Crime is high in their neighbourhood and most kids grow up without thier fathers. If you walk through the neighbourhood, you will notice right away that levels of alcoholism in the men are very high. Boys are destined to become motoconcho drivers, just barely getting by. Many go on to father children with several women, whom they do not care for. I don't want this life for Andi and Yoandi; these kids are amazing. Andi is so eager to learn, especially english. He is a natural leader and very well spoken, often speaking on behalf of his family, giving very eloquent speeches about their gratitude for the support of those of us who are funding their education. He has a deep understanding of life, for someone so young, but is hardened from working on the street and deals with issues relating to his learning disabilities. His Mom has trouble working with him on schoolwork at home, but she worries the most about Andi and is always looking out for him. Yoandi is the sweetest kid I have ever met. He loves to hug, is eager to meet new people, and like his brother and sister, is a natural leader. He is everyone's favourite and is the huggable, sweet teddy bear that everyone loves.
Would you consider sponsoring one of these boys at $30/month? This sponsorship would fully cover their tutoring sessions. Unfortunately, because I do not operate a charity, it is not tax-deductable, but I can promise you many updates on the boys, and the ability to tangibly see how your support is making a difference in their lives. We will do tests sporadically over time so you can see their learning growth, and hopefully the boys will finally be able to pass grades 3 and 5 and continue moving on. Payments will be due the 1st of every month and can be paid through paypal or cheque. Thank you so much for considering this! Please email me at ncochrane3@hotmail.com if you are interested or want more details.
Their house:
Yoandi and his mom when I took him to the hospital for an infection on his hand, due to the filth in the water outside their home.
Yoandi outside his house
The family:
The boys with their mom:
Tonight, on the last night of February, I looked at my blog and realized that lately I have been full of asks....help support education in Uganda, help pay Andrielis' tuition, help Andi and Yoandi get tutored, etc. etc. etc. But what had I contibuted?
