We are in regular contact with several schools in Santiago de Cuba.
CIRCLO
The circlos are part of the school system and provide day care and education for children from a few days old up to Junior Kindergarten. The teachers are ingenious and create toys from plastic bottles, toilet rolls, scrap paper, scrap fabric. But there is a limit to what can be created from nothing.
They need – crayons, poster paints (dry), pencils, coloured pencils, children’s scissors, glue (dry to make up), paint brushes, puzzles, educational toys, classroom aids, chalk, stick pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, blackboard paint, toys, teachers note books, calendars.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 or 9
Cuba places a high priority on education (approximately 98% literacy). All schools are critically short of supplies. In the past teachers have been very careful with donated supplies – pencils are often given out at the beginning of each class and collected at the end, coloured pencils are shared by the whole class.
They need – pencils, pens, notebooks, coloured pencils, children’s scissors, geometry sets, rulers, chalk, stick pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, coloured chalk, teachers notebooks, teachers registers and mark books, calendars, educational toys and teaching aids (in Spanish), reading books (in Spanish), blackboard paint and erasers, classroom aids and decorations, scissors, glue, poster paints, felt tip markers, coloured markers.
SPECIAL SCHOOLS
1. For children with speech and hearing difficulties
They need – pencils, pens, notebooks, coloured pencils, children’s scissors, geometry sets, rulers, chalk, stick pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, coloured chalk, teachers notebooks, teachers registers and mark books, calendars, educational toys and teaching aids (in Spanish), reading books (in Spanish), blackboard paint and erasers, classroom aids and decorations, scissors, glue, poster paints, felt tip markers, coloured markers.
Any specialized aids which you may be able to provide – in Spanish
2. Arts School
The Arts School is one of Cuba’s special schools. Students come from all over Santiago de Cuba province and live at the school. Along with their regular studies they specialize in music or dance, many are accomplished musicians and dancers by the time they are in their early teens. Many go on to professional careers.
They need – Video tapes, music recording tapes, violin strings, guitar strings, piano wires, violin bow hairs, musical instruments, ballet shoes, fabric for costumes, leotards. VCR’s, studio recording equipment.
Pencils, pens, notebooks, coloured pencils, geometry sets, rulers, chalk, stick pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, coloured chalk, teachers notebooks, teachers registers and mark books, calendars, educational toys and teaching aids (in Spanish), reading books (in Spanish), blackboard paint, classroom aids and decorations, scissors, glue, poster paints, felt tip markers, coloured markers.
TEACHERS’ COLLEGE
The Teachers’ College provides teacher education for all levels and specialties including daycare/kindergarten, elementary and high school, language schools, arts schools etc.
They need – pencils, pens, notebooks, coloured pencils, rulers, chalk, stick pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, coloured chalk, teachers notebooks, teachers registers and mark books, calendars, educational toys and teaching aids (in Spanish), blackboard paint, classroom aids and decorations, scissors, glue, poster paints, felt tip markers, coloured markers.
All Educational Institutions need cleaning supplies, which can be purchased in Cuba.