ADMAT Sponsors English Lessons In Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic

Here in Monte Cristi there is a small English school called John's English School (http://www.myspace.com/johns_english_school) created by Jonny E. Marte who was himself born in Monte Cristi.

Jonny set up this school in Monte Cristi to help students here learn English, as he knows it will much improve their future job opportunities.

In 2006 ADMAT facilitated a pen pal project between John's English School's youngest class and Jonny E. Marte, and a Spanish class of similar age in England at the Highbury Primary School in Salisbury (http://www.highbury.wilts.sch.uk) and their teacher Audrey Capon.. Since then many letters have passed backwards and forwards between these two countries and languages classes, giving both parties insight into both another language and another culture.

Over time ADMAT has carried many books from England to Monte Cristi to donate to Johns English School, as English books and very hard to come buy here and also very expensive.

On August 31st 2007, at the start of the school year, ADMAT made another donation of books and dictionaries and also of money, which added together with money raised by Audrey Capon and her Spanish class in England, has been put to good use sponsoring two students (see photos above) from a poor background to lean English and so help them to a better future through much improved job opportunities.

John's English School get no help from the government and so must charge students for the cost of renting teaching facilities, the 2 teachers salaries, and the teaching materials. But Monte Cristi being a place with many financially poor people, it is beyond the grasp of many students to get the money to study English. Yet, if one child from a poor family can learn English it will mean a better future for the whole family, and this is why John's English School seeks donations to sponsor these students, and why ADMAT has recognised it as a good cause to support.

So please, if there is anyone out there would be generous enough to sponsor a student (for about US$200 a year you can sponsor one student with all school fees and some essential teaching materials), or who can donate English books or other teaching materials (even down to pencils, everything is needed) please get in touch with ADMAT and we can put you in contact with Jonny E. Marte, the founder and Principal of John's English School. If anyone has an old laptop they are no longer using, but which is still functional, it would also be very gratefully received as the school has no computers at all.

Jonny is doing wonders with almost nothing, so please any support you can give would be worthwhile. Many Thanks!!

Contact ADMAT regarding donations to John's English School on email: maritime_archaeology@yahoo.co.uk or divingdane@yahoo.dk.