This week we’ve focused on educational outreach targeting underprivileged Dominican and Haitian children. So far, we’ve visited three different schools in the Puerto Plata area, and will now spend Thursday and Friday at two orphanages in Monte Cristi, near the Haitian border. We have begun each day with a brief survey to assess the children’s initial comprehension of biodiversity, arachnids and science, followed by a presentation, and then a trip to the field collecting anything with eight legs! This is the highlight for the team and the children, who have ranged from 2-18 years old.  Nearly every kid, no matter age or gender, has shown tremendous excitement in collecting, searching in every shrub and under every rock, no doubt providing a new perspective to their familiar schoolyard or nearby bosque (forest). After a lunch break, we returned to look at the spiders found in the morning under microscopes, explaining anatomy and pointing out the diversity of what was collected. We also worked with the children to create a local field guide using a picture they took of a spider and their notes on the habitat and physical characteristics of the animal. These field guides were printed, laminated and left with the school as a long lasting impression. 

The first school, Los Blancos, was filled with 67 Dominican and Haitian children crowded inside a concrete structure at the end of a dirt road. Despite uncomfortable conditions, each face glowed with enthusiasm, and imagination. This group was especially rambunctious and tested the abilities of our team, who succeeded wonderfully in manifesting a day of opportunity and discovery. Day two was spent at San Marcos, a middle school with better-behaved participants.  These children were already on summer vacation and came to school by their own free will, resulting in a crowd of over 60. The school today was attended by a group of Haitian refugees, some fighting for Dominican citizenship. These children needed far more help than we could provide with a day of activities, yet we earnestly hope our efforts may motivate some to seek opportunities outside those immediately presented to them, such as continued education.  Tomorrow we move to Monte Cristi, on the frontier of the Haitian border to work with two orphanages. The challenge of outreach is well worth it, with the hope that our efforts make some difference in the lives of these underprivileged children.