Work on a Community Project in the Dominican Republic

  Dominican Republic

Hato Mayor

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: all-year

Description: Completion of Local Community Center and work with Community School in the rural town of Hato Mayor.

Volunteers will spend their time of service living alongside the community of Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic. Hato Mayor is a small, rural town located approximately two hours east of the capital city of Santo Domingo.

In Hato Mayor, the educational scenario emulates the national trends, as the classrooms of 5 public schools have an average of 45-50 students per teacher. As a prerequisite to enter these schools, children must possess a valid birth certificate and buy required materials and uniform. Those families who do not meet basic requisites are unable to enroll their children in the public school system.

In February 2002, a community school was founded to respond to the community need to educate children unable to enter public schools and aid their families in obtaining the documentation necessary to enter the public school system.Through support from the Municipal Neighbor's Association, the school was given support to rent a building and begin their school. Children from ages 4 to 8 were accepted, the majority of whom had never attended school.

This school is currently serving a total of 80 children, in the morning and afternoon from the village of Hato Mayor. In a small, 2-room rented school, children are given the opportunity to begin their education, preparing them for a transition to the public school system, while teachers and community leaders aid families in the process to obtain documents and other necessary resources.

Community members have also initiated work to develop a community center in which basic health services and computers will be installed for children, youth and adults alike to receive computer classes and have a place to call their own.

As a result of the efforts of community members and 4 past volunteer groups, the construction of a community school has been initiated. The initial phases consisted of digging ditches, setting the base and beginning to lay block.   Meanwhile, groups have continually supported the educational efforts going on in the previous school. Through the hard work and dedication of Sofia and Rafael and other leaders involved, the school construction has progressed quickly since its beginnings in March. Your participation and eventually donation will enable the project to continue construction, laying the floor as well as putting up the roof.

Highlights: Hato Mayor is a small rural village of 30,000 inhabitants located in East of the Dominican Republic. Surrounded by beautiful hills and rivers, and situated at less than 2 hours from the capital, it has a great cowboy style atmosphere while having all the services a town can offer. A popular destination among the locals with "Los Haitises National Park" and a complex of seven cave systems (some are the longest in the Caribbean), Hato Mayor is definitely an off the beaten path destination. While there is an opportunity to work with kids and to be involved in the community will greatly immersed you into the Dominican culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be motivated, flexible, have good relationships with children and be ready to experience the life in the rural Dominican Republic.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Depends on length of stay

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 19 to 35 years old

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Community Service Alliance's Mission Statement: Community Service alliance provides individuals and groups with dynamic, field-based spanish immersion programs and volunteer service experiences in the Dominican Republic. We aim to link students, church groups, universities and individuals to life changing experiences of service and language learning.

Year Founded: 2004