Many youths in the Dominican Republic are unable to reach their full potential due to low levels of education and high levels of poverty. Historically, the school ystem in the Dominican Republic produces the lowest educational results in all of Latin America and more than one third of children in the country live in families that survive on less than $5 per day per family member.

All children have a right to primary school education, but unfortunately the reality looks different. Even at schools that are free, expenditures often occur for school supplies and clothes, which makes it difficult for many families to afford education for their children. Many kids also live far away from the nearest school and the way to it can be nything but child-friendly. It is estimated that the percentage of children that receive preschool education is only 16% for those from the poorest sectors.

Together for Better, funded by Mrs Ebba Lövenskiold in 2013, is a Swedish registered charity building & supporting schools in some of the most marginalized areas of the Dominican Republic. They strongly believe that educating a child is the most efficient way to break the cycle of poverty.

The schools supported by Together for Better are all run by women, teachers and local foundations that aim to secure that also children from the most marginalized families in their community gets access to education. The schools TFB support are in areas where there are not sufficient government-run schools to accommodate all children.

Since the start in 2013, over a thousand children has received their first years of education in one of the schools constructed and/or supported by the foundation. TFB have amongst other things: Funded constructions of three school buildings, two playgrounds, two mini-libraries and a school café.

TFB have bought land for one of the schools, made yearly donations towards maintenance and, in extra difficult times also running costs. TFB have helped with various programs such as the setting up of “support a child” programs and collaborations with other international foundations, since TFB believe in coming together to create change.

The area is very poor, with high unemployment numbers and large population Haitian and Haitian decent. Haitians are often subject to discrimination in the Dominican Republic and in this particular area there are not enough of public schools to accommodate all children, which means these particular children are very much depending on the existence of the school but also the goodwill of the teachers which not seldom goes without full salary, since salaries are depending on parents ability to pay the small monthly school fee.

When Miss Elvitana Roberto funded FUCPE in 2007, she started off in a wodden shack with one room. Having great experience from working within the governmental education system, she early funded FUCPE foundation and eventually bought land for her school. Today it is the heart of the whole community and brings hope and pride not only to the children but also to the adult population through different outreach programs, for example alphabetization of illiterate parents and workshops about women´s rights.

Many children in this school goes through the day on only one meal. TFB have children who have been left behind with a neighbour or relative as an act of despair, when the parent(s) had to return to Haiti. Currently TFB have one girl aged 13, who is pregnant after a rape by her stepfather. In all of above cases, the school is these children´s biggest support. Two years ago, Together for Better built the very first mini-library in this poor area, enabling the children (and parents) first ever access to real books. TFB have also helped set up online lasses with the support of another international foundation, serving children after school hours who for different reason has fallen behind.