Brief Overview: The TEARS school services approximately 210 students in K-7 studies in a small barrio of La Vega in north central Dominican Republic. The organization was the brainchild of Rod Davis, who wanted to open a school that gave opportunities to those children who could not afford the mandatory costs of attending school in the Dominican Republic.
In the underdeveloped Dominican Republic, only children who can afford school supplies, uniforms, have legal birth certificates, and Catholic baptismal records can enter public school when there is room for them. These requirements exclude the poorest and neediest children, who are in desperate need of the benefits of quality education. TEARS school is for those kids. TEARS provides all the benefits of quality education at no cost to the students or their families.
Portland Volleyball’s Involvement: A longtime goal of Portland Volleyball has been to find a service project where our efforts will directly impact the lives of that community. In the TEARS school, we have found such a project. Portland Volleyball is committing its year-long efforts to raise money and garner much-needed supplies for the TEARS school. The initial phase of this initiative will be focused during our home WCC matches this fall. There will be opportunities to give Tax-Deductible donations that can be earmarked to several different areas of need and specific hard goods as well. UP Volleyball is sponsoring four weekends this fall:
1. Oct. 13 (San Francisco) – Oct. 14 (Saint Mary’s): Kickoff campaign and newspaper subscription drive
2. Oct. 29 (Gonzaga) – Large-scale new and used book drive
3. Nov. 4 (Santa Clara) – Nov. 5 (San Diego): Socks and undergarments
4. Nov. 17 (Loyola Marymount) – Nov. 19 (Pepperdine): Monetary donations to compete TEARS’ kitchen
With the assistance from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), we will combine our efforts to produce several other functions during the academic year that will focus on very specific needs of the school, such as school uniforms, P.E. uniforms, text books, school supplies, and resurfacing walls and painting classrooms.
How you can help: There are many fixed costs associated with keeping the school running, and as much-needed as supplies and other hard goods are, TEARS also needs a steady stream of monetary donations as well. If their plight has touched your heart, please consider donating a small amount on a monthly basis. This will help offset monthly expenses and guarantee the school directors have the funds to live and work. Check the “Donate” link at www.tears.org.
Contact Information:
Doug Sparks, Head Volleyball Coach
(503) 943-7737
sparksd@up.edu
Christina Van Tol, Senior Women’s Administrator
(503) 943-8110
vantolc@up.edu
Additional Information: The TEARS website is located at www.tears.org. TEARS is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
