School uniforms in Hoyo de Bartola, The Hole

So many people say to me ,John, you are doing so much on the front lines but I always reply they are incorrect because I am blessed so much. One of those many blessings came this week as I worked in the Hole.

The Hole is actually a hole dug out in the city. The area is named after a once famous city official Hoyo de Bartola. The area is considered a dangerous area to live because it is so prone to flooding, high crime rates and drug and alcohol use.




As the church in Hoyo de Bartola grows, so have our outreach programs. One of the longest running programs is the school uniform and supply distribution. Kids in the Dominican cannot attend school unless they are in uniform. I am amazed at how many do not go to school because they do not have a blue top and khaki pants or skirt that either fit or are not destroyed. Kids usually get one uniform and that is it so it is washed very often and most try to take care of it. Many will be kids and play in it after school and rip it or stain it beyond repair often, but they have to wear it for the school year, regardless.

This week I was able to share fifty uniforms with kids from Hoya de Bartola. The local pastor, Felix Abreau (in photo) was able to assess who was in most need and they received a uniform and an adequate amount of notebooks. The kids in the hole all go to public school which costs about 400 pesos to register and then materials and uniforms. The kids walk to school every day, there are no big yellow school buses here.



Before we distributed the material to the kids we asked them to pray for the people who have supplied the essentials for the school year. One little girl raised her hand and prayed. All of them repeated the prayer and then said a unified AMEN! The parents too are grateful for the assistance. One mom was so desperate for just one note book she kept tugging at my side for “just one.” She got one for one child and a second for the second child she has in school. Each little one also got a big hug from me and a “Jesus te ama.” (Jesus loves you) Most responded with “yo se.” (I know). That is becasue there are people who love them even though they have never met.




I have to send out a HUGE GRACIAS to the Great Expectations class at Southeast Christian Church who annually has supplied uniforms and materials for at least 50 kids from Hoyo de Bartola. I am grateful to you my brothers and sisters.



If there is anyone else who would like to share in providing school supplies it is never too late to contribute either the material or money to purchase uniforms or school supplies.