We are delighted that our young people meeting during the All-Canada Convention decided to launch an Advent Calendar Campaign to raise money for the educational support of needy youth and children in the Dominican Republic. Cambita Garabitas is a town about forty kilometres west of the capitol, Santo Domigo. Cambita is the site of various work projects held over the years by our church to aid in reconstruction after hurricanes. Twenty-four students are being sponsored this first year. They range in age from five to thirty-two years old.
Sixteen are in elementary school, five in high school, and three in college.
The large majority of those sponsored are girls and young women who need to be given equal opportunity to succeed in life. Although economic growth, educational facilities, and conditions generally have improved in the Dominican Republic in recent years, the cost of living has also gone up, and according to United Nations studies, poverty has actually increased. Many families who are unemployed or have limited income find it very difficult to provide funding to enroll and support their children in schools, even in the primary grades. Some funding from our Committee goes to Rev. Miguel Espinosa who continues to provide support for the elementary school in Cambita. As we prepare for the Christmas Season, please honour the fundraising vision of our young people and assist them in any way that you can.