THE DOMINICAN DEVELOPMENT GROUP

2008 Final Report Tampa Deanery Project: Colegio Buen Pastor

The objective of the 2008 Tampa Deanery DR mission project was to close-in through roof level the first floor of Colegio Buen Pastor’s (Good Shepherd School) new eight-classroom school located in barrio Las Flores, a very poor residential area in San Pedro de Marcorís. The Tampa Deanery sent 32 persons on three teams in June to work on the new school building. This year the Tampa Deanery had the additional benefit of working with Fr. Brent Norris of St. Mary’s of Asheville, NC which cooperated financially in the construction of the

New plastered front of Colegio Buen Pastor including new entrance. ^{school, and sent a group of 5}

persons to work with Team II. Team I worked with the Dominican team to build the formwork. Team II placed and tied the steel. Team III finished tying the steel and prepared the roof so that it could be poured on their last day there. Eight Tampa Deanery Churches (Holy Innocents, St. Andrew’s, St. Catherine’s, St. Clement’s, St. James House of Prayer, St. John the Divine, St. Mark’s, and St. Mary’s), plus St. Mary’s of Asheville, participated in the 2008 mission project.

Background: The Centro Buen Pastor elementary school started out in 1988 as a preschool facility for working mothers. Buy the mid- 1990’s it had grown to include first grade. As funds permitted second floor classrooms, were gradually added to the roof of the original house, and by 2007-08 enrollment had grown to a little over 200 students, and included the addition of eight grade.

Over the years Centro Buen Pastor gradually purchased lots around the center, and finally put three together so as to have sufficient space upon which to build the new 5,048 ft² classroom building. As of August 2008 Fr. Sandino reports that most of the plastering is done (the columns and ceilings are plastered but the plain block walls are struck & painted), and they are ready to start working on the terrazzo floors, for which they have some funds.

Income and Expenses: The expenditures for materials for Colegio Buen Pastor were more than the Tampa Deanery has ever raised in any one year. Fortunately, St. Mary’s of Asheville contributed $15,000 in 2007 and again in 2008 towards the construction of the Colegio. St. Mary’s plans to send a similar amount The roughed-in stairwell. the first part of 2009 to finish up final details.

The table below presents the income and expenses for 2008, including the contributions from St. Mary’s of Asheville, which appear under “General Contributions.” Income-wise, 2008 was an outstanding year. A total of $97,293 was raised, of which $60,500 (62%) went directly into construction materials and local labor. The Sisters of Transfiguration obtained additional funds which covered the cost of the concrete for the roof. At this time the project has a balance of $10,169.

Besides the $60,500 that went directly into construction materials and local labor, including a $1,005 carryover from last year’s San Esteban project. Team support expenses amounted to

Team I cleaning plywood to hoist onto the roof.

$15,995 for airline tickets, and $10,630 for team support (lodging & meals, local transportation, trip insurance, etc.). This year the teams saved a couple ^{Team II tying steel for the beams.} thousand dollars in lodging expenses by staying in the Bishop Kellogg Conference Center.

Sandino estimates that a little over $20,000 is needed to finish up the first floor, plus another $10,000 for furnishings. With the $10,000 from Tampa, some other commitments he has from other persons, and what the Sisters can generate, Sandino thinks the colegio can be finished in October. He plans to begin classes in the old facilities this September then move classes to the new facility as soon as it is completed. Regarding Tampa’s support Sandino says: I am profoundly grateful for Tampa’s support over the years. The Lord has permitted us to raise this school building out of the nothing.

2008 Income and Expenses