Our teachers meet pandemic challenges with innovation

Creeping in as a health hazard, COVID-19 quickly wreaked havoc on socio-economic infrastructures and undermined decades of development gains made by both rich and poor countries. But the cruelest blow fell on our children’s education, turning it into a nightmare.

Our first step included surveying children’s families to understand their needs and get a handle on the potential obstacles to remote schooling. We also assessed our teachers’ needs. We sourced laptops and tablets for our teachers to prepare lessons. That was the easy part! Few of our children’s homes have a TV, and even fewer have a computer with WIFI. Some can’t even afford a cell phone.

The solution wasn’t ideal, but it had the maximum reach to the students. Our teachers developed weekly study lessons and assignments, packing them with food rations to be delivered to the children’s homes, or to be collected by their parents from Kids Alive sites. Those with cell phones got their study resources via social media along with instructional videos.

"A recent study showed that in some of our communities, less than 10% of students graduate from high school before age 20," says Vic Trautwein, Country Director, Kids Alive Dominican Republic. He adds, “In sharp contrast to this, Kids Alive students have a graduation rate of over 80%, despite the fact that our kids come from the most challenging circumstances. "As COVID-19 continues to loom large going into 2021, our teachers have redoubled their resolve to counter its impact on education.We are grateful to you, our supporters, for continuing to walk alongside us, even as our teachers walk alongside our children. Thank you!

An interview with Romery Serrata, Education Coordinator, Ark Jarabacoa  

Romery graduated from ANIJA School and went on to finish university on a Kids Alive scholarship. She worked at ANIJA for six years prior to becoming the education coordinator.   She currently coordinates a group of six teachers who run a distance learning “giant home school” for children in Ark Jarabacoa during the pandemic.

‍What do you like about your job?

‍I have been a teacher for a long time, and I like to teach children both the word of God as well as other academic disciplines. I believe God has called me to work with children and adolescents helping in whatever way possible.‍

What has been difficult about teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic? ‍

The delays in resuming school pose academic challenges for our children. Also, children at Ark Jarabacoa are anxious and concerned about their families who live in the community outside Ark Jarabacoa. I have seen many children crying because although they are safe and cared for, the others outside their protective bubble may be suffering. ‍

What are some of the positive things you have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic?

‍Although this pandemic has everyone worried about what the future holds, not everything is as bad. The truth is that I have seen how family love has been restored and people are worrying about the needs of others over their own.

‍What have been the challenges of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic?

‍The biggest challenge for a teacher is to achieve their teaching objectives – distance learning without the ability to directly monitor the learning process, understanding that not all students can attend virtual classrooms, but even more, that not all parents can monitor their children during the time set up by the school. However, the use of videos, social media apps, and digital resources have eased the pressure on teachers. At Ark Jarabacoa, we have had the privilege of access to virtual platforms, good technology, and direct contact with the children.‍

What has been difficult for the students? ‍

Outside the Ark, where I live, children in my community do not have access to virtual learning platforms and parents are unable to afford smartphones, tablets, or computers, much less keep up with the children in classes because they lack resources even to eat.

‍Have you experienced any encouraging events during this time?

God is in control of everything and His word says that to those who love him, everything works for the good. That is why I believe that this process is to show us that despite the difficulties, God is in control of this situation and our attitude towards these difficulties demonstrates the condition of our faith. I have seen children and families that despite difficult situations have successfully moved forward to adapt to this new way of life, and although they have had to struggle, the Lord has provided for them educationally as well as otherwise. Additionally, I have seen that each child has their own way of learning which makes them different from others. I have learned that each child sees the world differently and has different strengths.