COVID-19 Update
As an insular island nation, the Dominican Republic has been especially concerned about the spread of Coronavirus throughout its communities. According to Alejandro Baéz, the director of the DR’s Presidential Committee to address COVID-19, the government has taken a bottom-up approach to preventing the proliferation of the virus. As such, precautionary measures are implemented at the local level, which means the poorest, often most isolated DR communities have been the most at risk of increased infections. This struggle to unify also comes at a time of tense national politics, as the country is entering a general election in July.
Dominica staff hand out COVID resources to Dominica families and community members.
Despite this vulnerability, the Dominica School and Orphanage has remained quite successful in lightening the impact of this pandemic. COVID-19 was taken very seriously since early March, as several of the children in the DSO have asthma and other pre-existing conditions which make them especially vulnerable to the virus. Precautions include supplying children and students with hand sanitizer, washing regimens that occur six to seven times a day, a vigorous daily routine of cleaning all school facilities, and thorough monitoring of symptoms in both students and staff. Students have been housed based on their families’ abilities to prevent infection, while foster students are provided the housing and resources to stay safe while continuing their education. Digital assignments have been distributed to the best of the school’s ability, and those who do not have access to a device have had photocopies made for them by the hardworking Dominica teaching staff.
Even beyond DSO operations, the staff has continued to provide food and resources to the entire region of La Ureña. COVID-19 has presented a great deal of uncertainty to the entire island, but the DSO remains a beacon of hope for the community. Whether or not schools and universities resume operations in the fall, Dominica is ready, as always, to guide the children towards a bright future.
These added programs have, of course, placed a strain on the school’s leadership, but everyone at the DSO continues to be optimistic. The staff sends safe wishes to all of the DSO’s partners in the United States, and they are incredibly grateful for our support during this unprecedented time.
Update from dominica Rosario, as of august:
“The latest plan from the government for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic school year permits a hybrid approach to learning. The school will have 150 students attending in person each week, divided in three groups of fifty. Each group will attend the orphanage two days a week and Saturdays are included. Groups will receive instruction from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Food packages and personal hygiene supplies will continue to be delivered to 220 families twice a month. The packages contain rice, beans, cheese, chicken, milk, bread, cornflakes, juice, masks, sanitizing alcohol wipes, sanitary napkins for the girls, shampoo, and first aid supplies.”