Give More Hugs: School Supplies Drop

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Give More Hugs filled three barrels with all kinds of school supplies and shipped them off to Dominica, West Indies! Several organizations teamed up together to collect school supplies for the children of Dominica. Energy Fabrication, Angelo State University, University of Texas at the Permian Basin, and the Teacher Store efforts supported several schools in Dominica. Members of the Ross Spouses Organization (RSO) and The Portsmouth Rotary Club gathered to divide supplies, with four drop sites in mind; The Salybia Primary School, The Sineku Primary School, InLightin (an after-school program) and CALLS – a Centre where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve.

On the first morning of our drop, I entered a 14 passenger van. This van was not hosting very many passengers; instead, it was loaded with cardboard boxes of all different shapes and sizes. A fellow RSO volunteer, a Rotary Club Volunteer, CALLS volunteer and I were headed to the Kalinago territory. The Kalinago tribe are Dominica’s indigenous people and the territory includes two of our drop sites: The Salybia and Sineku Schools.

Our van pulled up to the Salybia School and as the other volunteers went to figure out where to unload I stood at the entrance to the school waiting on further instructions. As I looked around I began to notice students popping their heads out of classrooms, doors and windows trying to get a better look at what was to come. They had some idea based on what their teachers had told them but much like myself could not possibly have imagined the quality and quantity of what was hiding in those cardboard boxes.

The volunteers and I set up a display of all the supplies including folders, pens, leapfrog tablets, notebooks, reading material, glue, crayons, markers and much more. Students entered the multipurpose room by grade. The students waited quietly in wonder, the teachers stood in much the same way. There was a sense of thrill in the air. Each volunteer addressed the students, introducing themselves. My favorite address was by my friend Mercedes French. She spoke about her journey through education. She started with her elementary school experience, and explained scholarships to the students and the importance of studying hard. She spoke about university, studying abroad in Japan, about law school in the Netherlands and finally about how she is currently enrolled in a French class in Portsmouth, Dominica. After she explained every stage of her education she reminded the students, “and I studied hard”. At the end of her address she asked the students “So, what are you going to do?” Without hesitation they responded, “study hard” with great fervor and a soft giggle. She reminded them that their brain is their biggest asset, and no one can take education away from them. John Harley, a member of the Rotary Club, continued by encouraging them to dream big! And the ceremony concluded with the students singing a song about thanks. How perfectly appropriate for the month of November! After the ceremony we had the oldest grade stay back. We asked them about their dreams, favorite subjects and what supplies they were most excited about. The students were excited to talk with us and share their interests and mostly for the opportunity to say thank you. The Sineku visit went much the same way. There is such a need in Dominica, and because of that, a great appreciation for the donations. There is so much that goes into preparing for each drop: assessing drop sites and needs, collecting supplies and donations, shipping supplies abroad, dividing, labeling, and so much more. I felt so lucky to represent HUGS in this final stage of delivery. There are hardly words to describe the gratefulness, excitement, and resilience of these students.

I had been looking for an inlet into the local Dominican community since my husband started school at Ross University School of Medicine in August. Four volunteers from very different backgrounds came together that morning to be the face of HUGS; by giving, loving, and believing in the students and teachers at our drop sites. As a Master of Teaching and Learning in Art and Design, I know too well how the quality of supplies in school can change a student’s perception, self-worth and learning prospects. You don’t need a pencil or crayons to dream big; and believe me, these students are dreaming big! Based on conversations with students, I know that the donation will not only enhance their learning but also portrays a very definite message; I am valued, I am important, I will study hard. And that’s why these supplies are magical!