Grace Cares Update

“A girl from Chestnut Ridge inspires hope in Dominican Republic”

Grace Goldberg-Springer a twelve-year-old girl from Chestnut Ridge means it when she says she believes in taking action to help other people. Grace began helping children in La Lomita an impoverished community in the Dominican Republic when she was 10. For her 10th birthday, she asked her friends not to bring her presents, but instead school supplies to help the approximately 100 school age children who live there. Her commitment to the community did not stop there. This year Grace is in the process of raising $1,500 by making and selling necklaces and earrings to start an egg business in La Lomita. This will help the community become more economically sustainable. Part of the proceeds will support and feed the poorest people in the community.

Grace learned about La Lomita through GRACE Cares a 5013C not-for profit founded by her aunt Dr. Zoe Kopp, uncle Dr. T. Namaya and cousin Ken Giancola. The acronym for the organization is: Growth, Resources, Action, Community, Empowerment. The not-for-profit helps with small sustainable community development projects that assist poor communities to become self- sufficient.

La Lomita and surrounding communities are some of the poorest on the island with a lack of food, education, clean drinking water, high birthrates, lack of employment, and a host of on-ongoing needs. With the participation of the local community and Dominican project leader Ruben Ottenwald it was decided to start a small enterprise of raising chickens to produce eggs for the children as well as for sale. This project will provide both health and economic benefits to the community.

This past week Grace Springer-Goldberg traveled to the Dominican Republic to meet the people of La Lomita, and help build the chicken coop that will hold 100 chickens. Her experience at the farm at Green Meadow School in Chestnut Ridge prepared her to help not only with the building of the coop, but enabled her to share her knowledge of growing beans and tomatoes.

While in the Dominican Republic, Grace participated in meetings with community leaders to review future projects, which will include the formation of a local community non-governmental organization and an agriculture cooperative. Grace said, “We must continue to focus on helping people help themselves.” The people of La Lomita were inspired and grateful that someone so young from so far away had done so much to assist them.