COPA – Fulfilling the aim to improve education through support and maintenance of schools in La Hoya and Bombita.

The success of any charity is that it fulfills its original aim. After 33 years, the
time has come for Community Partners Association UK (COPA) to totally
hand over the management of the two schools and COPA buildings to the
Fundacion in the DR. Over the last few years the Fundacion, under the
chairmanship of Pastor Pedro, has gradually taken greater control in the
decision making and the COPA UK Committee have decided that at the next
AGM in September 2024 a motion will be proposed to dissolve COPA UK.

The time is right, as the state are now providing decentralisation money to run
the schools; the quality of teaching and provision of education is recognised
locally as well as nationally; the Fundacion are stronger in their governorship;
and Maribel, Project Director, is providing strong leadership and challenge to
the headteachers. Moreover, the Committee have decided to fund the budget
for 2024-2025 at the current level and we estimate that in October we will
send over the residue of COPA money to cover the budget for the following
two years. Through the generosity of COPA sponsors, the work of COPA will
continue.

In November 2023 and in February 2024, Rev. Connie DiLeo visited the two
schools. She was most impressed with the building and maintenance
developments, the professionalism and team spirit of the staff wanting to
develop all pupils’ education and the financial deployment to achieve that aim.
She spent time talking with the financial administrators and monitoring the
administration of the budget headings, which they send monthly to the COPA
UK Committee. During the year Maribel reported that the Education Ministry
had inspected the two schools and found the buildings to be in good order,
following external painting and applying asphalt on the roofs to avoid water
filtration on the COPA buildings. The Education Ministry has approved the
building of three classrooms for both Bombita and La Hoya Schools to house
the Initial Departments. The COPA Schools have been part of a national
“pilot” in developing pre-schooling from the age of 3. It has been such a
success that the Education Ministry is now investing in the provision of
building. At the time of writing, work has commenced at Bombita School.

Bombita has 157 pupils and La Hoya has 72 pupils in their Initial
Departments. Maribel also reported that all the teachers had received their
annual evaluation, which had been greatly appreciated as they develop and
improve their skills. The headteachers are proud of their schools, which
provide a high standard of education for their communities, and this is
recognised in the district. COPA is very grateful to Maribel for her enthusiasm
and tenacity in developing the COPA Schools alongside the headteachers
and the Fundacion.

The COPA UK Committee would like to express our thanks to former
committee members, the many UK volunteers who have worked for COPA
over the years, and the sponsors. All have contributed directly to making a
difference to the education of children in these two villages. As we dissolve
our COPA UK Committee we know that we all have laid the foundations for
changing so many lives and this will continue in the future – a fantastic
achievement!

Peter Gardner, COPA Chairperson