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Trip | Volunteer in Dominican Republic
Volunteer Community Project in Samaná, Dominican Republic
Samaná, Dominican Republic
Quick Facts
about this position
Working hours
none
Minimum age
from 18 years
Education
no particular
Language skills
Good english knowledge
About this position
Overview: volunteering in youth care and community work in Samaná
Education, child care and leisure activities as we know them are not that common in the Dominican Republic. Especially children from families with low income or disabled children are often deprived of these opportunities. This school in Samaná does not only care for all of its lively students and children with special needs alike, but also works to improve environmental awareness amongst the community. Regardless of wether your strengths lie in teaching English, in music, drama, or sports, if you are interested in environmental protection, have a talent for the arts and crafts or simply like to work with your hands – this projects gives you the opportunity to put your ideas into action. You can teach in school or in special needs classes, organize theatre plays and reading competitions for the youth of the community, work with the children in the school's organic garden and offer workshops on environmental protection and sustainability – time to spur on the children's ambition! Your own ideas and suggestions will also be highly appreciated and supported. This way, you will present the children with unique experiences – just as they will do with you – and support them on their path into a brighter future.
What to expect
Description: volunteering in youth care and community work in Samaná
According to statistics, 41% of the population in the Dominican Republik live below the poverty line. Children are out on the streets selling peanuts and sweets, asking to polish strangers' shoes or simply begging for money or food. The increasing exploitation of boys and girls alike by the so-called sex tourism industry is not improving their situation either. Very few schools offer an education that is good enough to end the vicious circle and enable a better future for the families and communities, and many children find the open roads to be their new home. Of course it is not possible to change the fatal social and economical circumstances at once, but you as a volunteer can give something very important to these children: a chance. Our partner organisation is able to host additional classes and leisure activities on school grounds thanks to many devoted volunteers. This way they receive a better education and have the prospect of a happier future. Teach the children in our school and special needs school what you can do best: drama, English, arts, crafts, sports and many other activities! Volunteers wanting to raise environmental awareness and showing the children a sustainable lifestyle, for example by introducing waste separation and organic gardening, will receive a warm welcome as well. You will work directly alongside people from the communities, contribute to the preservation of the amazing Dominican nature, introduce your own ideas and most likely put them into action with the support of our partner organisation. The project consists of three main initiatives, and you will get to see parts of each one: supporting the teachers in school, working in the special needs school and contributing to the environmental awareness program – of course, there are no boundaries. You can focus on what you enjoy the most and where you can bring the best benefit to the project. Your tasks... in school:teach English, arts, crafts, music, drama and/or computer classes
support children with their homework, as well as in planning leisure activities
visit the local hospital to sing or play with the children
assist in playful pre-school lessons
organise reading workshops and games for children and young adults
assist the teachers in English, arts, crafts, music, sports and computer classes and motivate the children to become active learners
plan your own lessons, combining studies with fun and movement
support the children whith their homework, according to ther individual needs and speed of learning
organise leisure activities for and with the children, inside and outside
organise and support projects to raise environmental awareness
maintain school buildings, school grounds and public playgrounds
work in the school's organic garden, extend the variety of fruits and vegetables
teach and assist in projects about organic gardening and environmental protection with local students (intermediate Spanish level necessary)
introduce your own project: eg. waste separation and gardening workshops, how to live a sustainable lifestyle etc.
Itinerary of your stay abroad
Start of the internship
All internships are available the whole year. So you can flexibly choose the right date for your start and we will coordinate it between you and the organization.
Time of arrival
It is always more comfortable to arrive a few days before the actual start of your internship. You won't only avoid stress, but also you time to get over the jetlag. As soon as our local partner will get your data of arrival , he will settle all details with your accommodation. If you are living with a host family, you can move in up to three days earlier with no further charges. You will have enough time to relax after your long trip, to make some first excursions and to get to know your environment, your host family as well as the countryside and people.
Arrival at Las Americas International Airport
After your arrival you will picked up by a driver of our local partner organization who will take you to the nearest bus terminal Santa Domingo about 10 minutes away. You will receive a ticket from the driver and then take the Bus to Santa Barbara de Samana, which is a 2 hours drive. If you plan to arrive in the afternoon, at another airport or reach the Dominican Republic on other ways, it is suggested that to look for an accommodation for one night in Santa Domingo and to continue your journey to Samana on the next day. This can also be arranged with our local partner.
Arrival at Samana, El Catey International Airport
After arrival at the airport one of the staff of our partner organization will wait for you and drop you to your accommodation, which is a 40 minutes drive.
Arrival at different airports
Please inform our partner organization in Samana, which airport you are planning to arrive and kindly follow their instructions.
Your first days in Samana
To avoid a cultural shock you will get an instruction to the culture soon after your arrival or just shortly before your first day of work. During this briefing you will get informed about people and culture as well as cultural features and the most important Do’s and Don’ts. Furthermore you will get some insider tips which makes it more easy to find an access into the new lifestyle. And of course also the understanding will get more easy. By the way, your volunteer program includes a language course which will also be helpful for you to settle.
Ready to get started?
Volunteer Community Project in Samaná, Dominican Republic
Flexible dates
min. 4 weeks
from 18 years
Good english knowledge
from
1780 EUR
Questions? We will help you!
Contact usYour accommodation
Accommodation in the Dominican Republic
There are 2 types of accommodation options available:
Shared living community:
The volunteer/ intern houses are well equipped with electricity, normal toilets, fully equipped bathrooms, common kitchen and a dining area, where you can meet up with the other participants.
Living in a host family:
You also can choose to live with a host family in Samana. All host families are carefully selected and already have experiences with foreign guests. This is a perfect opportunity to experience authentic Caribbean life! You will be accommodated in a private room equipped with bed and cupboard. Furthermore, you will join 2 meals a day with your host family. During your stay you will become a part of the family and can immerse into the Caribbean culture. Also, put your Spanish skills into practice and improve them during everyday conversations.
Our Service
What's included:
- Placement in a volunteer program according to your demands
- Assisting visa application
- Information about affordable flights, travel insurances and other important travel documents
- Airport transportation with direct transfer to your accommodation
- Airport transfer to bus terminal Santo Domingo
- Bus ticket from Santo Domingo to Samaná inlcuding return ticket
- Accommodation in a guest house or guest family for the duration of your project (please note: an additional fee for living a guest family applies)
- Living in a host family includes 2 meals a day
- Living in s shared flat: slef-catering
- 6 hours Spanish lessons per week
- Orientation on site through a staff member
- Tips and information about freetime activities
- Contact person during your stay abroad
- 24-hour emergency number
- Regular meetings with all volunteers or interns
- Certificate
What's not included:
- Visa
- Insurances
- Flights
- Meals (shared flat)
- Additional personal expenses
- Transportation
- Airport drop
Our local team
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Our local team
Manfred - local coordinator
Due to his passion for travelling the world, experiencing new cultures and being socially committed, Manfred early decided to work in the field of development aid. Thus, in 1998 he started to organize a street kids projects in Caracas, Venezuela. He mainly took care of international cooperation, cultural exchange and volunteer work. His efforts in Venezuela have proven that popular, so that he decided to establish a new volunteer program in the Dominican Republic. The more people can be helped, the better! Now he is coordinating volunteers in Samaná, the Dominican Republic, and will become your contact person during your stay in the Caribbean! Learn more about Manfred here!