Until We Meet Again...

To everyone at the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, thank you all for a wonderful week. It has been our privilege to be here, to visit your school, and to see the work you are doing. We all agree that the work you are doing with the children of the Batey Lecheria, is the closest thing we have ever seen to what Dr. Montessori did in her lifetime. Dr. Montessori began her life’s work in the extremely impoverished town of San Lorenzo, teaching the poorest and most neglected children in Italy. You are doing the same for the children here in the Batey, and it is an honor to know you. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly into your school. Thank you for asking us questions and for sharing your stories. If we can leave you with one final thought, please remember that Montessori education is not about the lessons and it’s not about the materials. It’s about the intention. Your hearts are all securely in the right place, and that is how we know that you are going to be tremendously successful. You are already all doing an amazing job with the children whom you teach. It would be our greatest honor to be able to continuing working with all of you for many years to come and it is our sincerest hope that you will have us back.

One thing we learned very quickly, was that the children in the Batey LOVE to have their pictures taken. we were greeted with shoult of "Photo! Photo!", every time we turned around!

The children also loved working with the Profes from New York! Every chance they had, they would grab our hands and lead us over to a table, or a work rug.

SHCJ does not have administrative offices, or storage rooms. They do their work wherever they can, and use this shipping container as a makeshift supply closet.

Each week, the classes focus on a main story book. Then on Friday, the children do an art project based on the story. This class read Caps for Sale! 

At the conclusion of classes each day, the teachers give the children a handful of peanuts on their way out. According to Mary Alice, it is the only way that the children of the Batey get any source of protein.

It is amazing that there are no peanut allergies!

Whenever a note has to go home, the teachers staple it to the childrens' shirts to ensure delivery!

Attempting to make a toast in Spanish....

A todos en la Sociedad del Niño Jesus. Muchas gracias por una semana encantadora. Ha sido nuestro privilegio estar aqui, para visitar su escuela, y ver el trabajo que ustedes hacen. Todas nosotras estamos de acuerdo que el trabajo que ustedes hacen, es lo mas cercano que hemos visto, a lo que hizo Maria Montessori en su vida. La Dra Montessori empezo su trabajo en San Lorenzo, que es un pueblo extremadamente  pobre, enseñando a los niños mas empobrecidos y descuidados en Italia. Ustedes estan haciendo lo mismo para los niños aqui en el Batey, y es un honor conocerlas. Gracias por darnos una bienvenida tan calurosa a su escuela. Gracias por hacernos preguntas y por compartir sus historias. Si las pudieramos dejar con una sola idea, seria la siguiente: recuerden que la educacion Montessori no solo se basa en las lecciones y los materiales. Sino en la intencion, que tambien cuenta. Sus corazones estan en el lugar adecuado y es por eso que les auguramos un exito tremendo. Todas ustedes ya estan haciendo un trabajo extraordinario con los niños y trabajaremos juntas para ayudarles a desarollar el currriculum aun mas. Sentiriamos un honor enorme si pudieramos  continuar trabajando con todas ustedes por muchos años venideros y es con una esperanza muy sincera que esperamos nos inviten a regresar.

Day Two in the Batey

This morning we woke at 5am for an early start into the Batey. Mary Alice asked us to view and offer feedback on their early morning arrival routines, so off we went!

Upon arrival in the Batey, we were again greeted with the same excited shouts from the children of SHCJ.


One of the main forms of public transportation in the Dominican Republic are mopeds, and Sister Mary Alice simply couldn't resist giving us a demonstration!

After Mary Alice parked her hog, we gathered to observe the morning arrival routine at SHCJ. Each group teacher received his, or her children at the main gate and then leads them to the main outdoor gathering area for morning songs, prayers and raising of the flags.

Next, the teachers lead their students to the back patio where they removed their shoes and washed their feet, prior to entering the school building.

While the teachers participated in the morning classroom lessons and activities, I had the opportunity to tour the rest of the complex with Mary Alice. She very much wanted to show me where all of our parents' generous donations were going. First, she took me to see the classroom supplies and food stuffs areas. Next, she took me to the pharmacy and clinic where the children of the Batey receive their only medicine, vitamins and medical check-ups. The nurse proudly showed me all of the desperately needed medicine that they will be able to administer, thanks to the money they have received from MSM families.

Our final stop was an unexpected surprise. Mary Alice was thrilled to show me that, because of the relief we have given them in the areas of food and medicine, they were finally able to install two small bathrooms, with running water, on the main floor of the building where the youngest students have their lessons. As an illustration of life in the Batey, Mary Alice pointed out that the contractor had somehow managed to install the doors backwards!

After our morning tours and lessons wrapped up,  we gathered our things to head outdoors. Of course, just as we had all collected to observe the children in gym class, Murphy reminded us all that his Law is alive and well, and the skies opened up. It poured for the remainder of the morning, but the children didn't mind. They are so accustomed to the unpredictable weather, they simply moved gym class go the back patio.

After the morning session had ended, we were once again invited to lunch, catered by the staff of SHCJ. After lunch, they surprised us with a musical presentation, complete with melody and lyrics they had written themselves. Everyone danced, laughed and had a wonderful time!

At lunchtime we had the chance to see a program in action which is designed to put local women to work. The project provides the women with beads and other materials from which to make jewelry.  The women attend the program each day and fashion necklaces and earrings which they are then permitted to sell.

As if our serenade at lunchtime wasn't enough, after the school day ended, the staff of SHCJ gathered us all for a lesson on how to open coconuts, freshly picked from the trees right in their yard.

Julio demonstrated how to wield the machete, and made quick work of eight young coconuts (seeing his left hand, which befell the same fate, kept us from giving it a try ourselves).

Once Julio had worked his magic, we all enjoyed fresh coconut meat and fresh coco water. 

After work we were invited back to have pizza with Mary Alice and her teachers at the Mission house. The staff of SHCJ were most gracious hosts, and even taught us to dance the Merengue and the Bachata! Exhausted from good fun and a very long day, we all retired for an early night's sleep.