The content creator Flavia Rodríguez (@flaviarod58), a Cuban mother residing in Georgia, shared her experience on TikTok regarding the continuous donation requests at her daughter's school.
In the video, Flavia explained that every year the school asks for money for various projects, including the construction of a sports court that has yet to be completed. “They're always asking for money and it's always something different throughout the year. They aren't satisfied with all the taxes we pay; they also ask for money halfway through the year,” the young mother commented.
Besides the frequent requests, she expressed discomfort with "the strategy they use to get parents to donate money through the children": they give the kids keychains to hang on their backpacks, which are only given to those whose parents contribute. Flavia recounted that when her daughter Valeria asked for one of those keychains, she initially resisted but eventually felt pressured into donating once more.
The video has sparked numerous reactions from other parents who felt the same way. "Every week at my kid's school they ask for money"; "They do it on purpose, what a shameless act"; "Yes, it's true, they always find a way to get money one way or another, especially with the current economy"; "I thought only in Cuba they asked for money"; "Pure intelligence"; "Manipulators," commented viewers.
Rodríguez also mentioned that last year, money was requested for a light festival that was never held due to a storm, but the funds were not returned: "In the end, the festival was held only for the honor students, and the other kids whose parents had donated didn't get any festival," she explained.
Common Concerns About School Donation Requests
Given the recurrent nature of these donation requests, parents are raising several questions. Here are some common inquiries and answers to help navigate this issue.
Why do schools frequently ask for donations?
Schools often seek additional funds for extracurricular projects, facility improvements, and special events that are not covered by standard funding.
How can parents address concerns about donation requests?
Parents can attend school board meetings, join parent-teacher associations, or directly communicate with school administrators to express their concerns and seek transparency regarding the use of funds.
What should parents do if a promised event or project is not completed?
Parents should request a detailed report on how the donation money was spent and inquire about refunds or alternative uses for the funds that align with the original intent.