DR Kids

jperry · Since 07 Nov 2008 190 Posts Stoked

So I am down here in the DR and It has been pretty rad It has been Non stop windy for the past week and a half And the locals here are Really cool.

But alot of the kids here are really good kiters but don't have any gear due to Just not being able to make enough money. But i was wondering if any body out there was willing to donate old gear for these kids. As long as its rideable and 04 or newer i don't think they care. I have an 05 11m Fuel i am gonna Give.

Thanks for reading!

John

tree · Since 29 May 2007 150 Posts Bend, OR Stoked

John,

Awesome idea. How long are you going to be down there? I would be psyched to get my safe, unused gear back on the water. Could get stuff in the mail Monday morning.

-Aaron

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Some one should set up a drop off point in seattle and one in HR for used kites for this deal. We could figure out how to ship them all at once.

I have two kites, one needs a bladder, I was going to make curtins with it. But this is a better thing to do with them.

sg

TheKerrKid · Since 02 Jul 2009 226 Posts Stoked

Im going to send down my 05 fuel and a few bars. We just need a place to get them all together to ship

tonyb · Fri Apr 01, 11 1:17 pm

Carol, Grom, Shannon and I did this a couple of years ago on a trip to Cabarete. Grom and Shan were heros on the beach.

Smaller kites are better than larger ones as many of the kids on the beach are 7 to 15 years old. Be careful who you give them to as some of the kids will get the kite taken by an older brother/cousin/bully and wont get to use it after the first day. Check with the local instructors as they might be able to point out who is most deserving and most likely to use it.

It's hard to make judgement calls on character and need but I don't think it's wrong to check out the kids for a few days and donate to the ones with good character and heart.

After we passed out gear we got to thinking that the best thing to do would be to work with one of the schools down there who could check out the gear to the kids so that it got shared around a little. Maybe even a priority for those kids that are doing well in school versus hanging out on the beach all day.

There are some great kids down there with amazing kite skills using what ever they can get their hands on. Not always the safest but they know how to fly a kite!

Also, if you're trusting you can work out a deal where the kids get to take your kite out while you're having lunch on the beach. Still give them a tip for taking care of you but you can save some money by sharing your gear.

Tony

1surfer · Fri Apr 01, 11 5:49 pm **DR Kids**

We know those kids. All to well. They actually make a LOT more money than you think in tips and compensation for rigging, support and rescue. It would be WAY, WAY more productive to them to teach them how to save and even invest the money they make. If you watch them closely and pay attention, most of their earnings go to sugar. Giving them free stuff will train them to expect more and not to build earning and saving skills. Give them a fish, feed them for a day, teach them to fish, feed them, their families and the village forever.

TheKerrKid · Since 02 Jul 2009 226 Posts Stoked

jperry · Since 07 Nov 2008 190 Posts Stoked

I am here till the 12th.

Yeah those are good points. (I like the idea of the kids who do well in school Have priority In getting gear)

I will Talk to dare 2 fly, Kiteclub and Vela and see what i can work out. I will have something By tomorrow.

1surfer · Sat Apr 02, 11 5:37 am **School**

I agree that the focus should be on the kids who are staying in school.

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

I have been to Cabarete many times and am presently here now...Giving kites to the kids here is a great idea, however, they will not keep them for very long. The kites are sold to European beginner kiters pretty much the next day...even if the the kids can get 25 USD for a complete set up its a shit tom of $$ in thier hands. This is the first year I did not bring a kite to give away because I just do not like seeing a kite that I gave to some smiling child being flown by a Russian two weeks later. I would rather donate the kite to the bags program where they make beach bags from the kite in which the profits go to local schools.
If someone knows any of the teachers at the public school the kites could be lent out as gym class/incentive program and weekend use... I would just like to see the kites stay here in the DR for the children to enjoy.

jperry · Since 07 Nov 2008 190 Posts Stoked

You have a good point there. I am working on setting it up threw a charity called dream. that way kites can be Distributed evenly and to the right kids. I also thought it be a good idea to set it up To where Some of the shops get A few set ups and kids with Good grades or who they think deserve it can use it for the day or when ever they want. I Am leaning more towards that idea.

jperry · Since 07 Nov 2008 190 Posts Stoked

You Should come to la Boca today!

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

I would love to meet you at the La Boca, but my 11M REV's bladder developed a small leak (my fault ater a missed backroll kiteloop in the reef...the kiteloop was not intended)...the 11 REV is my Boca downwinder kite. I will have it repaired today so hopefully good to go tomorrow.

The Boca downwinders is my favourite thing about Cabarete, well, other than the blue bar. Have an awesome day.

I will talk to Jorge from Big Air Kite School today to see if he is willing to hold a few kites for the local kids..

1surfer · Sat Apr 02, 11 8:18 am EH

Talk to EH. He has a good handle on how to, and how not to, help the local kids. Some of them are great kids, staying in school, tying to make a good life. Some of the kids not in school are horrible candidates to receive free anything. Bags for schools is a good program. There are others. EH is a good resource for that sort of info.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

I have a 9m Boxer 2004 or 2005 in great condition

If you want to ship it down with some other kites PM me with an address I will send it to you

farwellbooth · Since 28 Oct 2008 26 Posts Seattle

jperry · Since 07 Nov 2008 190 Posts Stoked

I am in the process of Getting everything organized. I am gonna talk to more shops Monday. Also i am waiting back to hear from A charity organization called dream and from what it sounds like they have it pretty dialed and kites will be able to be shipped to them and they will handle the hard part of distributing kites.

Thanks Every one for your input!

I will be at la boca today. I am on Airush razors.