1. family and parenting
2. children

COPA news
Building caring Christian communities
The children of Bombita and La Hoya join with the
staff, volunteers and committee members in sending
you best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Kinder class
in Bombita
The first day of school dinners in the new dining room at Bombita School
Visit the COPA website: www.copa.org.uk
December 2014
The AGM of COPA UK was held on September
20th at Alsager and the work of COPA over the last
6:00pm –year
…. was
We’re
quite busy
mostcommittee
nights of the
On Mondayyear
we go
to also
the
reported
. The
for week.
the forthcoming
was
‘Socidad
Jovenes’
Group)
bymembers
Diego, one
teachers in
the school.
elected
and we
warmly(Youth
welcome
fourrun
new
to of
thethe
committee:
Verona
Smith,
is team Advisor
meal night
up for
withseveral
all of the
otherBryony
volunteers
for
whoWednesday
was an Education
withwhere
COPAweinmeet
the DR
years,
Cleardinner together, and on Thursday and Friday nights we have English/Spanish lessons
Hill, one of last year’s Project Trust volunteers, Ian Marshall and Margaret Keeling, both
with people from the village.
of them long time sponsors and supporters from Alsager. We thank the retiring mem10:30-ishand
- Bedtime!
bersAbout
Paul Samways
Marilyn Chunn for their work on the COPA committee. Betha  as 
ny Garry has been co-opted onto the committee
she has offered to take over the
production
the us
Newsletter.
the highlights!!??.....
AGM, Bethany Clear-Hill gave an informative
Sophieoftells
of someAfter
of her
and entertaining presentation
on the year
had
just as
spent
 Waking up with one eye and looking like the hunchback
of she
Notre
dame
I had a
in the DR. In the evening a
mosquito bite on my eyelid.
Evening was
held
and my
 Having nightmares about huge lizards (iguanas)Social
and tarantulas
running
across
likegototothank
the enroom, thinking they are reality and refusing towe
getwould
up and
the toilet
for the
thusiastic band of sponsors at
fear of being devoured by these creatures.
Alsager– for
hospitality
and and
 Travelling to Polo and experiencing a coffee festival
thetheir
beautiful
waterfall
evening
entertainment.
On
river with cold blue clear water and steep ascent on the way back up the hill.the
Finala service
was
ly having pizza again for dinner and having a Sunday
relaxing morning
journey back
where
I was
actually able to wear my hoodie!
held at Wesley Place Methodist
Church,
Alsager hitatthewhich
 Lying on our roof in thunderstorms and watching
the lightning
land (far
Sebert (pictured left) gave an
away I hasten to add)
address
having
that to
 Making hot chocolate and having marshmallows,
then on
freezing
thefaith
left overs
God has and would help when
have chocolate ice-cream.
were difficult.
 Having art competitions in 5 and 6 classes – times
then I presented the winners with
  
certificates at the whole school assembly. Yey! (pictured below)
The Chairman announced that
 Having English classes with members of the community in the evening.
we are currently looking for people who have either a legal background or experience in
the insurance industry to help the committee. If you would be willing to help please
could you contact Geoff Haslam at [email protected] for more details.
  
We would like to thank Gwen McKenzie and the group of sponsors and supporters of
COPA at Lonsdale Road Methodist Church in Gloucester for their recent collection and
generous donation of £100 to the Christmas Fund. This fund enables the children of
both schools to have a Christmas party each year.
GM
6:00pm
RELAX!
UK- A
e CO–PA
Th4:15pm
  
On a personal note: I hope that you have found COPA News interesting and informative about the work of COPA. It has been a pleasure and privilege to produce the
Newsletter for the last 15 years and I would like to thank all those who have contributed
articles and photographs. I’m pleased to say that Bethany, one of last years Project
Trust volunteers, has offered to take on the role. I am still committed to the work of
COPA, remaining on the committee, doing some data input and continuing to distribute the Newsletter.
Pam Tovey
What a su
Two years ago, two COPA supporters from
rpreasise!!!
Laura
writes: Sylvia
We started
teaching
September
and I have found myself
Gloucester,
Munns
and inHilary
Veits,
ingcommittee
into my role
in Artistica
more
and more
as the in
days
go by. I
suggested to the
of Bristol
District
Methodist
Women
Britain
teach
Art
to
grade
1
to
grade
8,
pupils
ranging
between
and was
that COPA could be the district’s project for the year 2013/14, and5this
18 years
old. COPA
I’d be lying
if I claimed
was afrom
breeze
eventually adopted.
Recently
received
a chequeteaching
for £2656.95
MWiB from the
get Methodist
go, controlling
a classroom
of 30have
5 year
olds
–
a fantastic amount!!!
Many
churches
in the District
been
involved
rambling
away and
to you
Spanish, leaving
seats made
to give
organising fundraising
events,
eightinpresentations
have their
also been
telling
you nice
but pupil
also very
disruptiveis hugs
and tryingoftoCOPA
paint their
the story of COPA.
Whilst
sponsorship
the backbone
funding,
faces
with
the
magic
yellow
and
red
paint
that
turns
orange
fundraising pays for the unsponsored pupils, supports the ever increasing
health
when you and
swirl provides
it together
with a paint
brushfor
– the
is certainly
needs of the community
additional
resources
newly built
something
you need
to learn
through
experience.
single tanda school
at Bombita
(to identify
just
a few items).
SchoolIf also
quite
same awhen
you’re a promoting
teacher – the
it takes
like to
you isn’t
would
like the
to have
presentation
workpreparation,
of COPA and/or
real, proper
preparation.
If you haven’t
done your
homework,
nobody learns. When I
support
your fundraising
event, please
contact
me, [email protected]
first arrived,
both
evenings
and weekends were taken up by lesson prep, making
or Geoff
Haslam
at [email protected]
resources, and being slightly OCD in making sure I had all of the Spanish vocab I
A specialneed
thanks
to the
together I’m
withhandling
all our sponsors,
could possibly
for the
nextBristol
day’s District
classes.MWIB,
Now, however,
my time- for
youra bit
generosity,
as “COPA
changes
the for
lives
of pupils
in La
Hoya and
table like
of a professional,
squeezing
in time
Spanish
and some
socialising
in the village.
Bombita, one by one” into the future.
Peter Gardner
And, wow is Bombita and interesting place. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a
strong sense of community before. Everyone is related and it seems that everyone
We have
vacancies
the Two
DR offor
really looks
out for
everyoneinelse.
my best memories
since being Advisor
here are of
An Education
these
positions.
If
you,
or
anyone
being shown round the village, in one
instance by a fellow teacher who introduced us
you know of
of,aunties,
might be
interested
to his abundance
uncles,
cousins, nieces and nephews, all&of whom he
please
contact
John
Youe
on: to the home of his family for when he is sad,
claimed to be his “life”. We were taken
AnheAssistant
Director
[email protected]
his family
for when he is happy, his family for when
wants juice Project
and his family
for
when he wants to laugh. The other is of being taken, by a sixth grade student, to the
small corner of the village where his entire extended family live in extremely close
proximity. We were led through tiny alleyways and under cloth canopies as we were
introduced to yet more aunties, uncles, cousins and possibly the most precious set of
twins who looked like royalty in their candle lit room under their Mosquito net.
Piecing together the Bombita family tree is certainly going to take
See
some time but the more people we get to know the more the
news this
le
pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. We were at a basketcolou tter in
r
on ou
ball match in the village a couple of weeks ago in which the
r
w
Bombita team were playing teams from the neighbouring vil- www. ebsite
copa.
org.u
lages and which, judging by the screaming and dancing which
k
followed, we are pretty sure we won. The amount of faces we
recognised and people that took the time to come and sit next to us and
chat away made me really proud as I realised how quickly Fiona and I are settling
into the swing of things here in Bombita.
One of the best things about teaching artistica is that I literally get to teach everyone.
All of the kids in the village know who I am and I am slowly
know
who eveOffgetting
to theirto
new
classroom
ry child in the village is – they have a much easier job,atthey
only have
learnday
one
the start
of theto
school
name whilst I have to learn 400. Walking through the village we are followed by
squeal of “Tia Laura” (aunty Laura), “teeeaaacher” or, by the slightly lazier kids,
sometimes just “artistica”.
R have new outdoor play equipment which was
The children of Bombita
school
eD
Training
the teachers
s fromofthMegan Tyrell—see article on opposite
wmemory
provided
page.
As you can see,
Nein
this is proving to beWith
a verythe
popular
and
well
used
addition
to
the
school. With the
new
money
that was
left over
books were bought for the library and the picture opposite
buildings
came
the introduction
shows
of the children
with their choice of book to read. COPA, and the children,
of some
the ‘single
tanda’ (schooling
are very
grateful
to
Doral
and
for the full day) and this Andrew
brought Tyrell and family for their generosity.
problems as the government had
not supplied enough teachers.
This meant that some of the classes were huge, up to 50 in some
cases. Two more teachers were
provided in October which eased
the situation slightly, and there is
hope that more teachers will be
appointed by the new year.
The Christmas cards for sponsors
Visas have been a particular problem for our vol- have been produced by the chilunteers in the last couple of months, so much so dren and, as you can imagine, this
that Cathie (our Health Advisor) has had to return is a huge task for our volunteers
to the UK to sort out the renewal of hers—she with about 800 children each doing
hopes to return to the DR in January. Many trips 2 cards each (for the US and UK
to the capital have been undertaken by Bob (our sponsors).
As Teressa says:
Project Director) to try to resolve the issues, so far ‘However, there is still the upsideto no avail.
down-back-to-front and the
I-decided-to-colour-it-all-in-brown
We currently have vacancies for 2 long term vol- child to be dealt with!’ We hope
unteers in the DR which puts extra strain on our you enjoy receiving these cards
existing staff. However, the work of COPA contin- and the UK committee send our
ues in La Hoya and Bombita and we thank Bob, sincere thanks to Teressa and the
Teressa, Cathie and Alison for their hard work and rest of the volunteers for ensuring
enthusiasm to ensure that the COPA schools and that these have been completed
by the young people.
clinics continue to flourish
One of the new classrooms in Bombita
Megan Laura
Alice
Fiona
TyrellLucie
10.11.1989 – 10.2.2014
Sophie
News fr
om o
Trust vo ur Project
lunteers
With
Megan was the youngest of our four children andthanks to them all for use of
was a kind, intelligent and active child. She wastheir blogs and photos.
quite shy at primary school and was described by
teachers as 'well behaved and a pleasure to teach'.Fiona writes:
She especially enjoyed being in the school footballHaving been here a few
club and became quite an accomplished player asmonths, we’ve definitely
she got older. Other favourite activities were doingsettled into a routine now
stunts on her BMX bike, swimming, running andso I thought I would write
learning to play the guitar. Meg went through someabout what a typical day
troubled teenage years, but still managed to do wellteaching is like for me in
academically at school and College and studied forBombita:
a foundation degree in dairy technology as an ap4:00am – Woken up by the
prenticeship. When we became foster carers it was
asthmatic donkey that lives
lovely to see how involved she got with the children
outside my window having
in our care. She would make obstacle courses
a screeching match with the other donkey that lives at the other end of the village. Unaround the garden with tunnels, hurdles, jumps, etc. and loved to get the paddling
fortunately this happens a lot. The first time I heard this donkey, I thought it was a piece
pool, water slide and hose out on a sunny summer day. Inside the house there was
of broken machinery. Try to block it out and get back to sleep.
lots of den making, hide and seek, dancing, story telling and art and craft activities
7:00amgoing
- Untangle
myselfloved
fromtomy
mosquito
net and
get fun
out and
of bed.
Haveher
breakfast
on. Megan
see
the children
having
it made
feel happy.
straightOne
awayofbecause
I’mchildren
usually said
starving.
have
oatsmoving
and yoghurt.
our foster
that Normally
they werewe
OK
about
on, but could they
Megan
with them!
7:10amtake
– Go
for a shower
then douse myself from head to toe in mosquito repellent.
7:30amOur
- Get
everything
ready for school,
fill up died.
waterItbottle
and of
tryher
andexpress
make my
hair that
family
were devastated
when Megan
was one
wishes
we continue to foster and help disadvantaged children. We like to remember her at
look nice.
happiest,
laughing
and playing
with
was with
this inmy
mind,
7:40amher
- Walk
over to
school while
tying my
hairchildren.
back upItbecause
already
headthat
is we
decided
to
donate
any
money
given
in
her
memory
to
COPA,
as
we
had
heard
from
over-heating and at 7:45am - Fila (assembly) begins.
our good friends, Ian and Jenny Marshall, about the wonderful work that COPA un8:00amdertake
– 12:00am
Morning session
of school.
Depending onchildren.
what dayWhen
it is, I we
have
in the- Dominican
Republic
with disadvantaged
heard
differentthat
numbers
of
classes.
In
my
free
periods,
I
spend
time
doing
extra
reading
the money would go towards play equipment at the school, we thought with
that this
childrenwas
whoa are
repeating
grades,
planning/photocopying/marking
my classes
and
lovely
idea and
such a
fitting tribute to Meg. We arefor
certain
that she
would
sometimes I help in the library. I also spend time talking to other teachers
have which
wholeis good
heartedly
for my Spanish. Even though I’m talking to the children all day, it can
be quite hard
to we
approved.
When
understand some of the younger ones because a lot of them have very
voices
sawchild-like
the slides
of the
– quiet and mumbly!
playground
at
the
COPA
12:00am – 2:00pm - Lunchtime! A very long lunch compared to what
I wasevening
used to at
at our
church,
home. Lunch is a much bigger deal here and for many of the children
it’s we
theircould
main just
imagine
Megan
racing
meal of the day since it’s now provided by the school/government.
There’s
meat of
around,
climbing,
swingsome kind almost everyday, which for most children is something
they could
never
and laughing
with all
dream of getting at home. Lunch is also so long because this is theing
hottest
point of the
the children.
day, too hot to work and be cooped up in a classroom.
2:00pm – 4:00pm - Afternoon session of school. More lessons, reading
and planning!
Doral and Andrew
4:00pm - Home time! I spend about 15 minutes trying to sort out theTyrell
disaster that is my
parents
office, putting all the thousands of worksheets and jotters into the (Meg's
right piles
and )then
close all the shutters so the room’s not infested with mosquitos the next day.
....often
We have
often articles
have articles
from current
from current
ProjectProject
Trust Trust
no
n..o..w?We
y?
eyth
ew
are
rehaere
reth
WheW
volunteers
volunteers
of theirof experiences
their experiences
and life
and
in life
the in
DR
the DR
working
working
for COPA
for COPA
. The .next
Thecouple
next couple
of pages
of pages
show the
show
profound
the profound
effect effect
COPACOPA
has, not
has,
only
noton
only
theon
young
the young
peoplepeople
of La of
Hoya
La and
HoyaBombita,
and Bombita,
but also
buton
also
theon the
peoplepeople
who volunteer
who volunteer
to work
to for
work
COPA.
for COPA.
Both Bryony
Both Bryony
and Alice
and were
Alice Project
were Project
Trust Trust
volunteers
volunteers
last year
lastand
yearhere
andthey
heretell
they
us tell
of their
us oflives
theirsince
lives returning
since returning
to the to
UK.
the UK.
Bryony
Bryony
writes:
writes:
SittingSitting
writingwriting
this inthis
a library
in a library
in Oxford
in Oxford
watching
watching
the rain
thepounding
rain pounding
againstagainst
the winthe windows, dows,
I miss IBombita.
miss Bombita.
I
I
miss miss
the the
children,
children,
Bryony
Bryony
with some
with some
of the of
schoolchildren
the schoolchildren
knowing
knowing
each each
of their
of their
namesnames
and personaliand personalities and
tiesbeing
and being
accomaccompaniedpanied
everywhere
everywhere
I
I
walkedwalked
in the in
village.
the village.
I
I
miss the
missCOPA
the COPA
team; team;
we were
we there
were for
there
each
for each
other during
other during
the lows
theoflows of
3 day 3power
day power
cuts and
cuts and
rough rough
weeksweeks
when when
everything
everything
that could
that could
have gone
have gone
wrong wrong
did, did,
and we
and enjoyed
we enjoyed
the the
good good
times times
together.
together.
I
I
miss being
miss being
able toable
go to go
out forout
a whole
for a whole
day and
day and
not having
not having
to worry
to worry
about about
taking taking
extra layers
extra layers
and a and
raincoat.
a raincoat.
Of course
Of course
there there
are are
aspects
aspects
that I do
thatnot
I do
miss
notatmiss
all: having
at all: having
to cover
to cover
ourselves
ourselves
in sun in
cream
sun cream
and mosquito
and mosquito
repellent
repellent
beforebefore
leavingleaving
the house;
the house;
the weird
the illnesses
weird illnesses
we would
we would
get from
gettime
fromtotime
time;
to time;
the lessons
the lessons
that ended
that ended
in complete
in complete
disaster.
disaster.
Through
Through
the year
the I year
experienced
I experienced
every every
emotion
emotion
you can
youthink
can of
think
at one
of atpoint
one or
point
another.
or another.
I haveI come
have come
back to
back
the toUK
thea UK a
stronger
stronger
person,
person,
aware aware
of what
ofI what
can achieve
I can achieve
if I work
if Ihard
workbut
hard
also
butthe
also
importance
the importance
of
of
slowing
slowing
down and
downappreciating
and appreciating
the beauty
the beauty
in everyday,
in everyday,
be it abe
spectacular
it a spectacular
sunsetsunset
over over
the mountains
the mountains
behindbehind
La Hoya
La or
Hoya
the or
colour
the colour
of the of
leaves
the leaves
in my college
in my college
grounds
grounds
here. here.
I am having
I am having
an amazing
an amazing
time attime
university,
at university,
but there
but are
there
times
are when
times Iwhen
wish II wish
couldI go
could go
back to
back
the to
slower
the slower
life that
lifeexists
that exists
in the in
Dominican
the Dominican
Republic
Republic
where where
schoolschool
may close
may close
for a reason
for a reason
you doyou
notdo
fully
notunderstand
fully understand
but you
buttake
youit take
as an
it as
excuse
an excuse
to go for
to go
a walk
for a walk
into the
into
village
the village
and see
andfriends.
see friends.
Life here
Lifeishere
so rushed
is so rushed
that it that
can itbecan
hard
betohard
keep
to up.
keep up.
Currently
Currently
I am studying
I am studying
geography
geography
at Worcester
at Worcester
College,
College,
OxfordOxford
and am
and
thinking
am thinking
of a of a
careercareer
in international
in international
development.
development.
My year
Mywith
yearCOPA
with COPA
has changed
has changed
my lifemy
in terms
life in terms
of my of
outlook
my outlook
on theon
world
the and
worldI would
and I would
like to like
thank
to thank
COPACOPA
and Project
and Project
Trust for
Trust
thefor the
incredible
incredible
experience
experience
I haveI been
have lucky
been enough
lucky enough
to have.
to have.
As a new
As amember
new member
on theon the
COPACOPA
committee
committee
I plan to
I plan
staytoinvolved
stay involved
in this in
fantastic
this fantastic
charitycharity
for years
for to
years
come.
to come.
AliceAlice
writes:
writes:
Leaving
Leaving
La Hoya
La and
Hoyathe
and
Dominican
the Dominican
Republic
Republic
was probably
was probably
the hardest
the hardest
thing that
thingI that I
have ever
havehad
evertohad
do. to
Fordo.
theFor
final
thetwo
final
months
two months
of my of
year
myI year
dreaded
I dreaded
the day
the
when
day we
when we
would would
have to
have
say to
goodbye
say goodbye
and leave
and for
leave
thefor
UK.
theHowever,
UK. However,
pretty pretty
much as
much
soon
as as
soon
I as I
returned,
returned,
my oldmy
lifeold
in life
the inbeautiful,
the beautiful,
loud, amazing
loud, amazing
DR seemed
DR seemed
like a like
dream.
a dream.
It is It is
shocking
shocking
and heartbreaking
and heartbreaking
how quickly
how quickly
I forgotI forgot
about about
this other
this hot,
otherpalm
hot, tree-lined
palm tree-lined
world that
world
consumed
that consumed
me and
me
became
and became
my lifemy
for life
twelve
for twelve
months.
months.
I returned
I returned
to Scotland
to Scotland
and life
and
went
life on.
went
Myon.
friends
My friends
still talked
still talked
about about
boys, boys,
celebrities
celebrities
and school
and school
days, days,
we
we
attended
attended
debriefing
debriefing
with Project
with Project
Trust, Trust,
and I started
and I started
university.
university.
At firstAtthings
first things
were exiting;
were exiting;
I couldI could
walk into
walkshops
into shops
and not
and
have
not to
have
plantowhat
plan Iwhat
was I was
going going
to say,toI say,
couldI go
could
for go
a walk
for awithout
walk without
needing
needing
a shower
a shower
when Iwhen
got back,
I got itback,
was it was
cold - jumpers
cold - jumpers
came back
cameinto
back
myinto
life.my
Atlife.
firstAt
these
first things
these things
were great.
were great.
However,
However,
after aafter a
while, while,
the excitement
the excitement
wore off
wore
andofflifeand
continued
life continued
just like
just
it had
like italways
had always
done. done.
Reverse
Reverse
cultureculture
shock shock
is a strange
is a strange
and isolating
and isolating
thing. thing.
You feel
Youtrapped,
feel trapped,
unableunable
to talktoabout
talk about
your experiences
your experiences
because
because
nobodynobody
quite understands.
quite understands.
I miss Ithe
miss
children
the children
and the
and
cries
the cries
of ‘teeeaacchhherr’
of ‘teeeaacchhherr’
everywhere,
everywhere,
loud music,
loud music,
flip flops,
flip platanos,
flops, platanos,
swimming
swimming
in the in
river
the river
after school,
after school,
eating eating
in the street
in the with
streetneighbours
with neighbours
as it gets
as itdark
getsand
dark
so,and
so so,
much
so more.
much more.
Sometimes
Sometimes
I feel overwhelmed
I feel overwhelmed
by howbymuch
how Imuch
miss Imy
miss
lifemy
back
lifeinback
the in
DR.
theEven
DR. just
Even just
writingwriting
this makes
this makes
me tear
me
up,
tear
butup,
then
butI think
then Iwhat
thinkwould
what would
I do without
I do without
it?
it?
I started
I started
at Glasgow
at Glasgow
University
University
in September
in September
studying
studying
Geography.
Geography.
My flipMy
flops
flip have
flops have
been replaced
been replaced
by Wellington
by Wellington
boots as
boots
I slosh
as I trough
slosh trough
the puddles
the puddles
to campus
to campus
and the
and
hotthe hot
Caribbean
Caribbean
sun has
sunbeen
has swapped
been swapped
for bright
for bright
autumn
autumn
leaves.leaves.
I wentI awent
bit crazy
a bit crazy
with with
signingsigning
up to up
things
to things
at university
at university
and am
and
now
ampart
nowofpart
a ridiculous
of a ridiculous
number
number
of sports
of sports
clubs and
clubs
societies.
and societies.
I love studying
I love studying
Geography
Geography
and am
and
also
amdoing
also adoing
course
a course
in Spanish,
in Spanish,
which which
is great!
is great!
I miss ILa
miss
Hoya
La so
Hoya
much
so much
sometimes.
sometimes.
However,
However,
I appreciate
I appreciate
my lifemy
in life in
Glasgow
Glasgow
much, much,
much more
much than
moreI than
wouldI would
have done
havewithout
done without
my year
mythere.
year there.
Being Being
away away
from Scotland
from Scotland
has helped
has helped
to put to
lifeput
in perspective
life in perspective
and I have
and I ahave
much
a greater
much greater
under-understanding
standing
of howoflucky
how Ilucky
am toI live
am to
here
liveand
here
toand
havetothe
have
opportunities
the opportunities
that are
that
laidare
outlaid
in out in
front offront
me. of
I know
me. I that
know
I would
that I would
not be not
the be
person
the person
that I am
thatwithout
I am without
the experiences
the experiences
that that
I had last
I had
year.
last Iyear.
haveI the
have
confidence
the confidence
to do what
to doI what
want,I go
want,
outgo
and
outmeet
and people,
meet people,
join join
clubs and
clubsbeand
myself.
be myself.
I can Ispeak
can speak
Spanish
Spanish
and having
and having
taught taught
the brilliant,
the brilliant,
if slightly
if slightly
crazy, crazy,
children
children
of La Hoya
of La for
Hoya
a year
for amy
year
skin
myis skin
definitely
is definitely
thicker!thicker!
So, yes
So,
it is
yes
tough
it is tough
sometimes.
sometimes.
I miss Ithe
miss
village
the village
and alland
of my
all of
amazing
my amazing
friendsfriends
back inback in
the DR.
theWhen
DR. When
I look Ithrough
look through
my photo
my photo
album album
I’m notI’m
sure
notwhether
sure whether
I wantI to
want
cry to
or cry or
laugh. laugh.
Sometimes
Sometimes
I don’tI want
don’ttowant
thinktoabout
think about
it but other
it but times
other Itimes
find that
I findit that
is allitI iscan
all I can
think about.
think about.
I find myself
I find myself
driftingdrifting
off in lectures
off in lectures
as I stare
as I across
stare across
Glasgow
Glasgow
and think
andofthink of
swimming
swimming
in the inriver
the with
riverthe
withkids,
the teaching
kids, teaching
my favourite
my favourite
third grade
third grade
class, class,
schoolschool
assemblies,
assemblies,
spaghetti
spaghetti
party days,
party teaching
days, teaching
the boys
thehow
boystohow
make
to cakes,
make cakes,
eating eating
dinner dinner
on theon
roof
theunder
roof under
the stars.
the Sometimes
stars. Sometimes
I don’t Iknow
don’t how
knowtohow
feelto
but
feel
what
butI what
do know
I do is
know is
that it that
was itthe
was
best
theyear
bestofyear
my of
lifemy
andlifeforand
all for
the all
ups
the
and
upsdowns
and downs
I wouldI would
not change
not change
it
it
for anything.
for anything.
COPACOPA
is a fantastic
is a fantastic
projectproject
and I know
and I that
knowit that
will continue
it will continue
to change
to change
lives for
lives
many
for many
years years
to come.
to come.
I wantI to
want
thank
to thank
everyone
everyone
who made
who made
my year
myteaching
year teaching
at COPA
at COPA
La
La
Hoya what
Hoyaitwhat
was,itI was,
wouldI would
not be not
where
be where
I am orI am
whoorI am
whonow
I amwithout
now without
it.
it.
The children eofDBombita
school have new outdoor play equipment which was
R
Training
the teachers
s fromin th
memory of Megan Tyrell—see article
on opposite
page. As you can see,
Newprovided
this is proving
to
be
a
very
popular
and
well
used
addition
to
the school. With the
With the new
money
that
was
left
over
books
were
bought
for
the
library
and
the picture opposite
buildings came the introduction
shows
some
of
the
children
with
their
choice
of
book
to
read.
COPA,
and the children,
of the ‘single tanda’ (schooling
are
very
grateful
to
Doral
and
Andrew
Tyrell
and
family
for
their
generosity.
for the full day) and this brought
problems as the government had
not supplied enough teachers.
This meant that some of the classes were huge, up to 50 in some
cases. Two more teachers were
provided in October which eased
the situation slightly, and there is
hope that more teachers will be
appointed by the new year.
Visas have been a particular problem for our volunteers in the last couple of months, so much so
that Cathie (our Health Advisor) has had to return
to the UK to sort out the renewal of hers—she
hopes to return to the DR in January. Many trips
to the capital have been undertaken by Bob (our
Project Director) to try to resolve the issues, so far
to no avail.
We currently have vacancies for 2 long term volunteers in the DR which puts extra strain on our
existing staff. However, the work of COPA continues in La Hoya and Bombita and we thank Bob,
Teressa, Cathie and Alison for their hard work and
enthusiasm to ensure that the COPA schools and
clinics continue to flourish
The Christmas cards for sponsors
have been produced by the children and, as you can imagine, this
is a huge task for our volunteers
with about 800 children each doing
2 cards each (for the US and UK
sponsors).
As Teressa says:
‘However, there is still the upsidedown-back-to-front and the
I-decided-to-colour-it-all-in-brown
child to be dealt with!’ We hope
you enjoy receiving these cards
and the UK committee send our
sincere thanks to Teressa and the
rest of the volunteers for ensuring
that these have been completed
by the young people.
Megan
Alice Tyrell
Fiona
Laura
10.11.1989 – 10.2.2014
Lucie
Sophie
News fr
om o
Trust vo ur Project
lunteers
With
Megan was the youngest of our four children and
thanks to them all for use of
their blogs and photos.
was a kind, intelligent and active child. She was
quite shy at primary school and was described by
Fiona writes:
teachers as 'well behaved and a pleasure to teach'.
Having been here a few
She especially enjoyed being in the school football
months, we’ve definitely
club and became quite an accomplished player as
settled into a routine now
she got older. Other favourite activities were doing
so I thought I would write
stunts on her BMX bike, swimming, running and
about what a typical day
learning to play the guitar. Meg went through some
teaching is like for me in
troubled teenage years, but still managed to do well
Bombita:
academically at school and College and studied for
a foundation degree in dairy technology as an ap4:00am – Woken up by the
prenticeship. When we became foster carers it was
asthmatic donkey that lives
lovely to see how involved she got with the children
outside my window having
in our
care. She
would
obstacle
a screeching
match
withmake
the other
donkeycourses
that lives at the other end of the village. Unaround
the garden
with tunnels,
etc. and
to Iget
the paddling
fortunately
this happens
a lot. hurdles,
The first jumps,
time I heard
this loved
donkey,
thought
it was a piece
pool,
and hose
out
a sunny
day. toInside
of water
brokenslide
machinery.
Try
to on
block
it out summer
and get back
sleep.the house there was
lots of den making, hide and seek, dancing, story telling and art and craft activities
7:00am
- Untangle
my mosquito
out ofher
bed.
Have
breakfast
going
on. Megan
lovedmyself
to seefrom
the children
havingnet
funand
andget
it made
feel
happy.
starving.
have oats
andcould
yoghurt.
Onestraight
of our away
fosterbecause
children I’m
saidusually
that they
were Normally
OK aboutwe
moving
on, but
they
take7:10am
Megan–with
Go them!
for a shower then douse myself from head to toe in mosquito repellent.
- Getdevastated
everythingwhen
readyMegan
for school,
up water
bottle
and try and
make
my hair
Our7:30am
family were
died.fill
It was
one of
her express
wishes
that
nice.to foster and help disadvantaged children. We like to remember her at
we look
continue
her 7:40am
happiest,
laughing
playing
withtying
children.
It was
this in mind,
thatmywe
- Walk
over and
to school
while
my hair
backwith
up because
already
head is
decided
to donate
any
her memory
to COPA, as we had heard from
over-heating
and
at money
7:45amgiven
- Filain(assembly)
begins.
our good friends, Ian and Jenny Marshall, about the wonderful work that COPA un8:00am
– 12:00am
- Morning
of school. Depending
what we
day heard
it is, I have
dertake
in the
Dominican
Republicsession
with disadvantaged
children.onWhen
different
numbers
of
classes.
In
my
free
periods,
I
spend
time
doing
extra
reading
that the money would go towards play equipment at the school, we thought that this with
repeating
grades,
planning/photocopying/marking
forshe
my would
classes and
waschildren
a lovelywho
ideaare
and
such a fitting
tribute
to Meg. We are certain that
sometimes I help in the library. I also spend time talking to
other
teachers
which
is good
have whole heartedly
for my Spanish. Even though I’m talking to the children all
day, it can When
be quitewehard to
approved.
understand some of the younger ones because a lot of them
child-like
saw have
the very
slides
of thevoices
– quiet and mumbly!
playground
at
the
12:00am – 2:00pm - Lunchtime! A very long lunch compared
what I was
COPAtoevening
at used
our to at
home. Lunch is a much bigger deal here and for manychurch,
of the children
it’s their
we could
just main
meal of the day since it’s now provided by the school/government.
There’s
meat of
imagine Megan
racing
some kind almost everyday, which for most children isaround,
something
they swingcould never
climbing,
dream of getting at home. Lunch is also so long becauseing
thisand
is the
hottestwith
point
laughing
all of the
day, too hot to work and be cooped up in a classroom. the children.
2:00pm – 4:00pm - Afternoon session of school. More lessons, reading and planning!
One of the new classrooms in Bombita
Doral and Andrew
4:00pm - Home time! I spend about 15 minutes trying to Tyrell
sort out the disaster that is my
office, putting all the thousands of worksheets and jotters
into the
right) piles and then
(Meg's
parents
close all the shutters so the room’s not infested with mosquitos the next day.
The AGM of COPA UK was held on September
20th at Alsager and the work of COPA over the last
yearquite
wasbusy
reported
. Theofcommittee
forthcoming
6:00pm – …. We’re
most nights
the week. for
On the
Monday
we go toyear
the was also
‘Socidad
Jovenes’
(Youth
Group)
run byfour
Diego,
of the teachers
in the school.
elected
and we
warmly
welcome
newone
members
to the committee:
Verona Smith,
Wednesday
is team
meal night
wherewith
we meet
theseveral
other volunteers
for Clearwho was
an Education
Advisor
COPAupinwith
the all
DRoffor
years, Bryony
dinnerHill,
together,
on Thursday
Friday
nights we
English/Spanish
one of and
last year’s
Projectand
Trust
volunteers,
Ian have
Marshall
and Margaretlessons
Keeling, both
with people
from
village.
of them
longthe
time
sponsors and supporters from Alsager. We thank the retiring memAboutbers
10:30-ish
Bedtime!
Paul Samways and Marilyn Chunn for their work on the COPA committee. Bethany Garry has been co-opted onto
the committee
as she has offered to take over the
 
 
production
of
the
Newsletter.
After
the
AGM,
Bethany
Clear-Hill gave an informative
Sophie tells us of some of her highlights!!??.....
and entertaining presentation
year
she as
had
just aspent
 Waking up with one eye and looking like the hunchbackon
of the
Notre
dame
I had
in
the
DR.
In
the
evening
a
mosquito bite on my eyelid.
Social Evening was held and
 Having nightmares about huge lizards (iguanas) and tarantulas running across my
we would
like toilet
to thank
the enroom, thinking they are reality and refusing to get up and
go to the
for the
thusiastic
band
of
sponsors
at
fear of being devoured by these creatures.
Alsager for their hospitality and
 Travelling to Polo and experiencing a coffee festival – the beautiful waterfall and
evening
On the
river with cold blue clear water and steep ascent on the way
backentertainment.
up the hill. FinalSunday
morning
a
service
ly having pizza again for dinner and having a relaxing journey back where I was was
held at Wesley Place Methodist
actually able to wear my hoodie!
Alsager
 Lying on our roof in thunderstorms and watching the Church,
lightning hit
the landat (farwhich
Sebert (pictured left) gave an
away I hasten to add)
address on having faith that
 Making hot chocolate and having marshmallows, then freezing the left overs to
God has and would help when
have chocolate ice-cream.
times were difficult.
 Having art competitions in 5 and 6 classes – then I presented the
winners with
  
certificates at the whole school assembly. Yey! (pictured below)
The Chairman announced that
 Having
classes
of have
the community
in the
evening. or experience in
we areEnglish
currently
lookingwith
for members
people who
either a legal
background
the insurance industry to help the committee. If you would be willing to help please
could you contact Geoff Haslam at [email protected] for more details.
  
We would like to thank Gwen McKenzie and the group of sponsors and supporters of
COPA at Lonsdale Road Methodist Church in Gloucester for their recent collection and
generous donation of £100 to the Christmas Fund. This fund enables the children of
both schools to have a Christmas party each year.
UK
4:15pm
- RELAX!
COPA
Th–e6:00pm
AGM
  
On a personal note: I hope that you have found COPA News interesting and informative about the work of COPA. It has been a pleasure and privilege to produce the
Newsletter for the last 15 years and I would like to thank all those who have contributed
articles and photographs. I’m pleased to say that Bethany, one of last years Project
Trust volunteers, has offered to take on the role. I am still committed to the work of
COPA, remaining on the committee, doing some data input and continuing to distribute the Newsletter.
Pam Tovey
W
hat a surp
Two
years writes:
ago, two We
COPA
supporters
rismyself
Laura
started
teaching infrom
September and I have
found
e!!! easGloucester, Sylvia Munns and Hilary Veits,
ing into my role in Artistica more and more as the days go by. I
suggested to the committee of Bristol District Methodist Women in Britain
teach Art to grade 1 to grade 8, pupils ranging between 5 and
that COPA could be the
project
theif year
2013/14,
and was
this awas
18 district’s
years old.
I’d befor
lying
I claimed
teaching
breeze
eventually adopted. Recently COPA received a cheque for £2656.95 from MWiB from the get go, controlling a classroom of 30 5 year olds –
a fantastic amount!!! Many Methodist churches in the District have been involved
rambling away to you in Spanish, leaving their seats to give
organising fundraising events, and eight presentations have also been made telling
you nice but also very disruptive hugs and trying to paint their
the story of COPA. Whilst
pupil
is the backbone
of COPA
funding,
faces
withsponsorship
the magic yellow
and red paint
that turns
orange
fundraising pays for the unsponsored pupils, supports the ever increasing health
when you swirl it together with a paint brush – is certainly
needs of the community and provides additional resources for the newly built
something you need to learn through experience.
single tanda school at Bombita (to identify just a few items).
School
alsolike
isn’t
same when promoting
you’re a teacher
– itoftakes
preparation,
If you
would
to quite
have the
a presentation
the work
COPA
and/or to like
real, proper
preparation.
If you
haven’t
done me,
[email protected]
homework, nobody learns. When I
support
your fundraising
event,
please
contact
evenings and weekends were taken up by lesson prep, making
or first
Geoffarrived,
Haslamboth
at [email protected]
resources, and being slightly OCD in making sure I had all of the Spanish vocab I
A special
thanks need
to theforBristol
District
together
with all our
fortimecould possibly
the next
day’sMWIB,
classes.
Now, however,
I’m sponsors,
handling my
table
like a bit of
professional,
squeezing
in timeofforpupils
Spanish
your
generosity,
asa “COPA
changes
the lives
inand
La some
Hoyasocialising
and
in the village.
Bombita,
one by one” into the future.
Peter Gardner
And, wow is Bombita and interesting place. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced
such a
strong sense of community before. Everyone is related and it seems that everyone
We
have
vacancies
in the DRelse.
for Two of my best memories since being here are of
really
looks
out for everyone
An Education Advisor
these
If you,
or anyone
beingpositions.
shown round
the village,
in one instance by a fellow teacher who introduced us
you
know
of, mightof be
interested
to his
abundance
aunties,
uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews,
all of whom he
&
please
contact
YoueWe
on: were taken to the home of his family for when he is sad,
claimed
to beJohn
his “life”.
AnforAssistant
Project
Director
[email protected]
his family for when he is happy, his family
when he wants
juice and
his family for
when he wants to laugh. The other is of being taken, by a sixth grade student, to the
small corner of the village where his entire extended family live in extremely close
proximity. We were led through tiny alleyways and under cloth canopies as we were
introduced to yet more aunties, uncles, cousins and possibly the most precious set of
twins who looked like royalty in their candle lit room under their Mosquito net.
Piecing together the Bombita family tree is certainly going to take
See
some time but the more people we get to know the more the
news this
le
pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. We were at a basketcolou tter in
r on o
ball match in the village a couple of weeks ago in which the
ur
w
Bombita team were playing teams from the neighbouring vil- www. ebsite
copa.
org.u
lages and which, judging by the screaming and dancing which
k
followed, we are pretty sure we won. The amount of faces we
recognised and people that took the time to come and sit next to us and
chat away made me really proud as I realised how quickly Fiona and I are settling
into the swing of things here in Bombita.
One of the best things about teaching artistica is that I literally get to teach everyone.
All of the kids in the village know who I am and Off
I amtoslowly
getting
to know who evetheir new
classroom
ry child in the village is – they have a much easier
only
haveday
to learn one
at the job,
startthey
of the
school
name whilst I have to learn 400. Walking through the village we are followed by
squeal of “Tia Laura” (aunty Laura), “teeeaaacher” or, by the slightly lazier kids,
sometimes just “artistica”.
Contact names
and addresses
for COPA UK:
Treasurer:
Mr David Rush
Flat 98, Block B,
The Paragon,
Boston Park Road,
BRENTFORD,
Middlesex, TW8 9RP
Sponsorship Secretary
for both La Hoya and
Bombita:
Mrs Sandra Samways
57 Pauls Croft
CRICKLADE
Wiltshire
SN6 6AJ
Treasurer:
COPA Guernsey
Mr Peter Keeling
Les Poplairs
Rue du Felconte
ST SAVIOURS
Guernsey
GY7 9QD
Guernsey Sponsorship
Secretary:
Mrs Margaret Keeling
Les Poplairs
Rue du Felconte
ST SAVIOURS
Guernsey
GY7 9QD
Registered Charity No. 1027117
Sebert and Doreen Lane have moved house: their
new address is 64A The Fiddle, Cricklade, Wiltshire,
SN6 6HN.
If your address is incorrect or incomplete or the spelling
of your name is incorrect we would like to correct this.
Please could you inform me: [email protected]
so that your details can be amended on our database.
Many thanks.
If you're shopping online this
Christmas, think easyfundraising!
By shopping via easyfundraising you will be raising
free donations for COPA. Just go to and register at
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/COPA and
then search for your desired vendors. You'll then use
their websites as usual, but be raising money for
COPA. It costs you only a few moments more, nothing
else. Hundreds of retailers like Argos and Amazon
donate money to supporters of good causes who shop
on line through this site and we could be one of them!
As well as the donation itself you can Gift Aid it and
donate even more money to COPA.
Give the best gift you can, shop via easyfundraising,
and spread the Christmas cheer to COPA. You can
use this site all year long to raise funds to help with
COPA’s work in the DR.
Tell all your friends, there really is no catch, its
money for nothing.
Sponsorship
Letters and Cards
The address for your letters and cards is:
Child’s name and sponsorship number
Escuela de COPA (Bombita or La Hoya)
Apartado 42
BARAHONA
Dominican Republic
Please could you write your name and address on the
reverse of the envelope. This will help the volunteers when
they are delivering the letters and cards to the children.
Editor: Mrs Pam Tovey, 30 Maidenhall, Highnam, Gloucester, GL2 8DL Tel: 01452 301633