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We want to share with you some of the students'comments that came out of the first International Delegation's evaluation process and the project of collaboration in the community of Mata Los Indios. For a description of the activities, see Cultural Exchange Program, Identity, Culture, Migration, and Technology Program, and Research and Documentation Program.

Foreign Students:

“The involvement of the community and the delegation was truly an ‘intercambio’”. Tené, Guyana descendent, from New York City

“The girls and the community in general were able to show their artistic side.  It was a good way of doing team work.” Gloria, Cuban, from Massachusetts

“I feel that the girls really got a chance to produce their own vision of their community and were involved in every step of the process.  It came from them.” Vija, North American, from Massachusetts

“I think it was the collaboration and equal participation that made the Danza Fuzion, the Photo Mural, and the project as a whole really work” Emily, North American, from Massachusetts

“I thought the talks were very useful in my understanding of Dominican culture in what they said and in what was left out.” Emily

“My experience has opened up my view of “America” as not centered in the United States but recognizing the importance of all the Americas.  I was encouraged by the delegation to identify myself as American and explain my definition of American as being from both North and South America–it allows me to express both sides of my identity”. Tené

“I am Dominican but I have never known the statistical facts about my country.”Noelia, Dominican, from Massachusetts

“I now know that all of the Caribbean and its inhabitants are Americans and that it does not only apply to North Americans. Also, I now have more pieces to my personal definition of what a “Dominican” is.” Noelia

“This experience really hasn’t changed my views on the “Americas” or on “Latino/a identity”, but it has given me the chance to really start to get to know one community–one group of people–from a closer perspective.” Vija

“I learned that there is no way “one Caribbean.” Gloria

“It was a beautiful, inspiring and empowering experience.” Janira, Dominican, from New York City and Massachusetts
 

Mata Los Indios' students:

“My experience with Melassa was excellent because I learned to conduct interviews, to make murals, because I liked the talks and the dances with Tené and because I learned more about my country.”  Andreina, 12

“I liked the culture of the girls who came. They learned from us and we learned from them.” Yanneris, 12

“I liked the workshops with Tené because we learned about empowerment, which is not a person who has power but a cultural exhange. I also liked the talk with Carlos Segura because he spoke about the economy and it is what we from suffer most in this country.” Rosemeilyn, 17

“With the Melassa Foundation I learned about my culture, also about other cultures and about the global economy as well. About the Tainos, and what an American and Latin American was.” Rosemeilyn

“What I learned about the most was how to conduct an interview and I also learned about culture and how to get along with other people.” Isaura, 16

“I would like to see my community attending the neighborhood committee meetings.” Isaura

“I would like to see them fix the streets, that there be more water, more electricity, and that our community be kept clean.” Angelina, 12

“I liked the dance workshops with Tené because we learned about her culture and she learned about our culture. I like my culture very much because I can’t deny it. I like “salve” because it is my culture.” Eugenia, 12

“I liked my experience because I learned to use a photographic camera and a video camera. I learned how to conduct an interview with Sixto Minier who spoke about the Congos and I learned to dance hip hop.” Eugenia

“I would like to see the youth of the community more integrated and that they can support our community by collaborating more with them.” Eugenia

“I would work to improve my experience in the future and help my family and all the poor people.” Yomaira, 17

“I would like to see my community grow in a where the people of my community are happy with their families and are always employed and a community.” Yomaira

“To improve in the future I will study hard so that I can become a good professional.” Isaura

“What I learned about the most with Melassa was to document and to use a camera.” Yohanca, 15

“I would like it if the youth would continue to move forward with the community in its development and that Melassa continues to come here.” Yohanca

“I would like it if we would meet more with the neighborhood committee and that we could work together for what we want.” Yomara, 16

“I would like to see the youth more integrated into the community.” Erika, 13

“My experience with Melassa was excellent because in the workshop I learned to use photographic and video cameras, because I shared it with girls that were not from this country. I learned to dance Hip Hop. I learned about the manipulation of images.” Naife, 16

“This workshop has taught me to value my culture, to represent it and I learned how that was very different.” Naife

“This experience has been marvelous and the girls got along very well with us and they helped us to relate more among ourselves.I learned that we have to value our culture.” Naife

“I suggest that the Melassa Foundation should talk to someone who has an important role or someone who has the possibility to help communities in need so that they can improve the water, electricity, and the roads.” Naife

“I would like it if this community and others like it could have a way of life that was more comfortable and that this community and others like ti could help themselves to improve in life.” Naife

“I liked the talleres because I learned to dance and I learned to express myself and they taught me how to use cameras and they showed me places that I didn’t know.” Yulissa, 12

“I liked the documentation workshops because for the first time I learned to use cameras and it was an experience coonducting the interview. I learned that when you conduct an interview, you have to have the questions before the interview. Also, I learned that I would like to continue researching more in these towns like Karin.” Yessi, 12

“I liked the talk with Dagoberto Tejeda because I learned that one should not be ashamed of their culture or to feel ugly and simply bored.” Yessi

“I would tell Melassa to continue giving more workshops to many more people so that we are not the only ones to learn about cameras. There are a lot of people who would like to participate in the workshops that stayed out.” Yessi

“I learned that it is important to value our Black race because it is who we are and we have to be proud of it.” Leonela, 16

Comments about the music and the community by some of the students:

CLASS: __________________________________________________________

TEACHER:________________________________________________________

STUDENT (optional): ________________________________________________
 

1. How do you think about this summer class:

2.  What is the thing the most like you?  Why?

3. What is the thing that you didn't like? What is the thing you believe that we should better?

4. How do you believe that this class help you?

5. Will you take this class egain? Why?

6. What  are your  about the future classes or courses  which will be organized by the Melassa Foundation?

7. Another thing you want to say

As part of an evaluation of the Library Project, Melassa Foundation asked the students of the Mata de los Indios school five basic questions related to the impact of the Library Project in their school and the activities organized by the interns.

These questions were asked to students from the fifth (5ºs) to eighth grades (8ºs) . There were subgroups of  five students in each grade to obtain a representative group of 10% of the total students in the morning schedule.  For example, 5 A, 5 B, 5 C and 5 D. A total 19 students in the 5th grade.

The following figures establish a relation between the number of students that participated in the survey and their answers:
 

	FIFTH groups: A, B, C and D	SEXTH groups: A, B and C	SEVENTH groups: A and B	EIGHTH groups A and B	TOTAL STUDENTS
TOTAL STUDENTS	180 students (100%)	135 students (100%)	90 students (100%)	90 students (100%)	495 students
TOTAL NUMBER  OF SURVEYS COMPLETED	19 students (34.2%)	15 students (20.2%)	10 students (9%)	10 students (9%)	54 students (9.7%)
QUESTIONS	ANSWERS	ANSWERS	ANSWERS	ANSWERS	ANSWERS
1. Before visiting the Library of the school, did you know that it was a library?	16 YES (84.2%) 3  NO (15.7%)	9  YES (60%) 6  NO (40%)	8  YES (80%) 2  NO (20%)	10  YES  (100%)	43 students (79.6%) Knew what a library is. 11 students (20.4%)      Didn't know what a library is.
2. Have you ever visited a library? Which one?	11  Library of the 29 (57.8%) 4  National Library  (21%) 1 Ramón Martias Mella Library (5.2%) 3  Anything (15.78%)	10  Library of the 29 (66.6%) 5 Ramón Matias Mella Library (33.3%)	4  National Library (40%) 1  Library of the 29 (10%) 1  Juan Pablo Duarte Library (10%) 4 Anything (40%)	4 National Library (40%) 4 Library of the 29 (40%) 1 Ramón Matías Mella Library  (10%) 1 Library of UASD (10%)	26 National Library (48.2%) 12 Library of the 29 (22.2%)  7  Ramon Matias Mella Library  (12.9%)  1  Juan Pablo Duarte    Library  (1.9%)  1 Library of UASD     (1.9%)  7 Anything  (12.9%)
3. Do you remember the activity that was done the first time that you visited the Library? What was the theme?	11 Reading comprehension about Pedro Mir poem. (57.8%) 8 Others (42.1%)	12 Carnival of the Dominican Republic  (80%) 3 Others (20%)	3 Reading and discussion about Haiti and the Dominican Republic  (30%) 3 Reading Phenomenal Fire (30%) 4 Others (40%)	8 Charlotte's Web  (80%) 2 Others (20%)	11 Pedro Mir poem (20.3%) 12 Carnival of the D.R. (22.2%) 8 Charlotte's Web (14.8%) 3 Discussion about D.R. and Haití (5.6%) 3 Phenomenal Fire (5.6%) 17 Others (31.5%)
4. What material was used? If you remember please write the book's title or its author.	11 Book. "There is a Country in the World". Pedro Mir (57.8%) 2  Others (10.5%) 6 They don't remember (31.57%)	7 News and Books. Juan Pablo Duarte and Mirabal sisters biographies. (46.6%) 4 Crepe paper, paper plates, glue and crayons. (26.7%) 2  Diario Libre newspaper (13.3%) 2 They don't remember (13.3.%)	3 El Caribe newspaper (30%) 4 Books. "Twelve Pilgrim Tales" by Gabriel García M. and "Alice in Wonderland" and Phenomenal Fire (40%) 3 Others  (30%)	8  Book "Charlotte Web" written by E.B. White (80%) 2 Others (20%)	30 Books and News (55.6%) 5  Newspaper (9.3%) 4 Crepe paper, paper plates, glue and crayons (7.4%) 7 Others (11%) 8 They don't remember (15%)
5. What did you like most on your first visit to the Library?	6 All (poem, drawings, teachers, etc)  (31.57%) 4 Drawing and coloring. (21%) 3 The silence of the group (15.78%) 2 There are many important books (10.52%) 1 The attention of the teachers and the people in charge. (5.2%)	4 All  (26.6%) 4 The theme, the activity and the arrangement of the books.  (26.6%) 4 Good treatment  (26.6%) 2 Good conduct and the silence. (13.3%) 1 The Books (6.6.%) 2 Others (13.3%)	4 The activity  (40%) 6 Others (60%)	3 The activity (30%) 2 All (20%) 2 The theme and Good treatment (20%) 3 The books	15 The activity (27.8%) 7 The attention and good treatment (13%) 12  All (22.2%) 6 The books (11%) 5 Good conduct (9.3%) 8  Others (14.9%)
6.How do you think of using the Library of your school in the future?	9 Searching information, reading and learning (47.3%) 6 Learning to analyze and the right use of the books (31.57%) 3 Doing their homework there (15.78%) 1 Others  (5.2%)	7 Being carefull with it and maintaining it. (46.6%) 5 Researching and doing homework (33.3%) 2 Learning (13.3%) 1 Studying (6.6%)	4 Searching for information (40%) 2 Doing homework and studying (20%) 4 Others (40%)	4 Searching information and learning (40%%) 2 Being carefull with it and maintaining it. (20%) 2 Making it bigger (20%) 2 Studying (20%)	19 Searching for  information, Learning and reading (35.2%) 10 Researching and doing homework (20%) 9 Being carefull with it and maintaining it (16.7%) 6 Learning to analyze and the right use of the books (11%) 3 Studying (5.6%) 2 Making bigger (3.7%) 5 Others (9.3%)

In the answers given by the students, we can see the attention that they paid to the activities which were done in the visit to the Library School, maintaining and organisation from the teachers and the librarians for the students and the active participation in the activity.  They also permit notice their happiness and satisfaction having a library in their school with expectative better knowledge, better individual and colective develop that guide to a better society and using the Library frequently.
 

Melassa Foundation asked two important questions to the teachers with respect to the School Library and the visit of the students to the Library.

The questions were given to teachers of the following levels :

5 A, 5 B, 5 C  and  5 D
6 A, 6 B  and  6 C
7 A  and  7 B
8 A  and  8 B

The following figures establish a relationship between the questions and answers of the teachers in charge of these levels:
 

	QUESTION 1	QUESTION 2
LEVELS	What are your expectations of the School Library?	What is your first impression  about the way the students have been using the library?
5 A	It is very positive since it creates the habit in our students to go to research the subjects in the Library.	They say there are many things to read, research and study. (Reading Pedro Mir impressed them).
5 B	That children can take advantage of the opportunity that has been offered to them. They should take care of the books and make the best of them.	My first impression was that children feel very motivated and very happy.
5 C	That the children can introduce contents that are not currently in their books.	I can't opine because my students don't go all to the library.
5 D	That it is a source of support, motivation, integration and goals for the school.	The happiness that they show when they come back from the Library, the creative works that they do and I can note their higher interest in their studies.
6 A
6 B	That the students develope reading and research habits: that they feed their knowledge.	I believe that since the Library is of the school, they feel more confident and appear more curious.
6 C	It can awaken the interest of the children with respect to research, investigation, reading and other opportunities that it offers them.	I can see they are motivated to go to the Library. Maybe it is because of the different environment from that of  their classrooms.
7 A	The Library is a good means of indicating the learning abilities of the school students.  It is a good resource that has been missing in the school and the community.	I have noticed that students have had a very good  acceptance of  the Library since they have never had a library  in the community or the school.
7 B	I hope it can give us information about different subjects.	I think that it is giving good results and the students are  benefiting from it. It is a great iniciative.
8 A
8 B

In the answers given by the teachers, we can see the acceptance that the creation of the library has received at the school. They see it as a fundamental means in the process of learning and teaching of the students. Furthermore, it is a fountain of knowledge, information and support in their integral development.

The teachers believe that they have seen good results from the students since the use of the library has been implemented; they have demonstrated motivation, curiosity, impressiveness and interest in researching and knowledge.
 

(for the students)

Name:______________________________________________      Level:__________________

Age:___________________  Address:____________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________________________________________________

1. Before you visit the Library of the school, did you know what a library was?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2. Have you ever visited a library? Which one?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you remember the activity that was done the first time that you visited the Library? What was the theme?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

4. What material was used? If you remember, mention the title of the book or the author that was used.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

5. What did you like most during your first visit to the Library?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

6. How do you think you will use the Library of your school in the future?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
 

(for the teachers)

  NAME:____________________________________________________________________________
LEVEL AND SUBJECT:________________________________________________________________

1.  What are your expectatives about the school Library?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. What was your first impression  about of the students' initial use of the library?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. To improve academic quality of the students we ask that you help us create a list of the students that
you believe may need improvement in the following subjects:
 

STUDENT                                       READING            HANDWRITING             WRITING
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 

Reading Competition:
 

MELASSA FOUNDATION MATA DE LOS INDIOS PRIMARY SCHOOL READING COMPETITION EVALUATION PLACE AND DATE:  Santo Domingo,  Mata de los Indios school, April  22, 2004 EVALUATOR:    _______________________________________________________ The evaluators were people from the Melassa Foundation and teachers from the Mata de los Indios School. In the evaluation,  the following aspects were taken into consideration: Theme of the text Intonation Fluency Comprehension Creativity Each aspect will have a point (1) if it is correct or it won't. After evaluating each student, evaluators gave the total count for each student and from those, the winners were chosen.  STUDENT:  _______________________________________________________ AGE:   ________       GRADE:     __________  A.  Theme Characterization   (What is the plot in the text)                                  ________ B.  Fluency                                                                                                                ________ C.  Intonation  (Pronunciation)                                                                                  ________ D.  Comprehension  (personal opinion about text)                                                ________        E.  Creativity  (Change final       ____               represent a character or situation,  compare, etc.)                                                                                         TOTAL           _______