A Brief History of

SOSUA KIDS...

Submitted by Colleen Misner

What is Sosua Kids?  If you live in the Sosua area, you probably already know.  You’ve likely helped with donations and school supplies, and joined in the fun of a Pub Crawl or Fundraising Event.

But if you don’t know what this wonderful organization is and what it is they do, here is brief history.

Sosua Kids, a non profit organization, was founded in 2000, with a small group of local people wanting to make a difference in Dominican children’s lives.  You see, public school here is free, but many families cannot afford to outfit their children with the uniforms, school supplies and shoes that are necessary and mandatory to have in order to attend. So we help them.

During its first year, Sosua Kids managed to place a handful of children in school.  This number has grown, and through word of mouth, and many generous hearts and hands from all over the world, there are now over 230 kids in school between the towns of Gaspar Hernández and Imbert.  Some have reached University status, and several “Sosua Kids” have gone on to win government scholarships, leaving room for more kids to follow in their footsteps. 

Our dedication and hard work does not simply end when the kids are in school in the fall, it has just begun!  It takes year long fundraising and awareness efforts to keep the number of children we have in school.  We also help with non profit daycare, and assist pre-schoolers, orphans and families in dire straits.  Boxes of teaching aids are put together from donated art supplies, chalk, staplers, etc. and distributed.  Non scholastic donations such as toys and sports equipment are wrapped up and distributed out at Christmas. 

We would like to thank everyone who has participated, donated time and raffle prizes, school supplies and monetary donations. Without you we would not be able to fulfill the need of so many children who are anxious to get an education!

More information on Sosua Kids can be obtained from our new website which also displays pictures of our efforts and the children that they help.  The web address is: http://sosuakids.spaces.live.com/. Or e-mail sosuakids@gmail.com.

Monetary donations and school supplies may be dropped off at the following local businesses:  Checkpoint Pub, The Britannia Pub,  Jolly Rogers and Lou’s New York Shark Bar.

Announcements for upcoming events will be made on our website as well as Sosúa News.