This report summarizes activities and developments in 2011 and outlines plans and prospects for 2012

Report on 2011

2011 was the second full year in which we have operated as an officially approved “Asociacion Sin Fines De Lucro” (Non-Profit Association) of The Dominican Republic.   The year can be characterised as one of continued success (indicated by increased student numbers and the availability of sufficient money and supplies), but also one in which some of the challenges/problems associated with success began to become more apparent.

At the start of the current (2011/2012) school year we issued vouchers for uniforms/school supplies to 440 children, compared with 386 in the previous year.  This year all of these children received vouchers worth 1,500 pesos, compared with previous years when some children (who received backpacks) were given vouchers of lesser value.  We have a stated commitment to continue supporting all 440 children until they finish school.

Backpacks containing school supplies were issued this year to additional children who did not receive vouchers.  Nearly 300 such additional children benefited in this way.  We are not committed to providing future support for this group of children.

At the end of 2011 one of the two remaining university students whom we have been helping completed her course.  The final student is expected to continue her studies for one more year.

The number of children we have been able to help reflects the continued generosity of our supporters who have donated money, supplies, time and effort.   It would be invidious to specify individuals and organisations, but needless to say we are immensely grateful to all concerned.

We ourselves arranged three funding events.  Early in the year our Vice-President Barb Andersen, assisted by helpers, was “guest chef” one evening at The Jolly Roger Bar in Sosua.  An Easter Fair, also based at The Jolly Roger Bar, was enjoyed by all who attended and raised a useful amount in funds.   Our Christmas Fair and Market in December was a much larger event involving the closure of Calle Pedro Clisante and an enormous amount of effort by our new Chief Fundraiser, Maggie Blackman, and her team of helpers.  Our thanks are due to them, to our generous local business sponsors and to all who took part for making this event such a great success.

The large number of children we now help, and our commitment to continue supporting those on our voucher programme until they complete their schooling, increase the need for us to ensure the availability of significant sufficient funding on a continuing basis.  However, in the natural course of events, individuals or organisations that have supported us regularly may from time to time change their priorities and direct their generosity elsewhere.  (This happened in at least one case during 2011).   Our challenge is therefore to continually seek and encourage new potential donors and to manage the funds and supplies that we receive in order to best fulfil our commitments to our children.

The large scale of our distribution process has also increased the burden of work and responsibility on the small group of volunteers involved.  The problems this year were increased by the non-availability of one or two experienced people who had helped us regularly in the past.  The Board of Sosua Kids is currently reviewing procedures so that they are as efficient as possible whilst ensuring that support is given only to children who need it.

Following the changes to our Board membership at the end of 2010 as outlined in the last annual report, 2011 was a relatively stable year.  In November we were very pleased to welcome our longstanding supporter and Patron, Thomas Behl, as a member of the Board, filling the vacancy that previously existed.  We also welcomed Maggie Blackman who took over as Chief Fundraiser.

We expect to have sufficient funds available to increase the number of children we support up to a maximum of 500.  It has been agreed that we will accept a number of new children from the town of Montellano

Board of Sosua Kids (Junta Directiva) 2011

President                               Janet Williams

Vice-President                      Barbara Andersen

Treasurer                               Jennifer Paulger

Secretary                               John Bosworth

Members                                David Auffret

                                                Linden Andersen

Maureen and Thomas Behl (MT Cervezaria, Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

Michelle Bennett (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)

Sylvia Berkley (Stichting Help Sosuakids Naar School, The Netherlands)

Beyond The Beach Children’s Foundation (Canadian based international foundation)

Trish and James Joyce (Isle of Man)

Janet Williams,

President, Sosua Kids

April 2012