"Managing Diabetes" ADJD

  Dominican Republic

Hato Mayor,  Rural Areas

Term: Academic Year, Throughout the year, Trimester 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Bi-weekly

Description: This project works in a community / university setting to create sustainable, locally-run initiatives in the areas of community health, social services and education. This initial project serves the entire community (i.e. women, children, the elderly, the poor, and people living with illness or disability due to diabetes). The PC-1 Q121 Allele Is Exceptionally Prevalent in the Dominican Republic and Is Associated with Type 2 Diabetes - Kazuyuki Hamaguchi

Dominican Americans living in the United States are one of the groups at highest risk of developing obesity and diabetes. This suggests that people from the Dominican Republic possess a unique genetic factor predisposing them to obesity and type2 diabetes.

Highlights: Many of CUEinc's volunteer placements are in the shantytowns surrounding these towns and in the countryside, while other placements are in the central areas of the towns where local people converge to receive services, such as care for people with disabilities, diabetes, dental and other health care, educational and informal sector development.

CUEinc's volunteers are involved with caring for infants and children, teaching children, observing and assisting local health professionals, caring for people with disabilities and educating the locals on nutrition, dental care and the rising problems of Type 2 Diabetes, sharing their professional skills and experience.

Adventure travel/internships/language school/study abroad program/ volunteer abroad programs are all available.

Free Time in Santo Domingo

In your in free time in Santo Domingo you may choose to visit the many cultural sites, museums the tomb of Columbus (Christopher Colon) and churches to local craft markets and parks. Within a one hour bus ride from the Home-Base there are many things to do.

Santo Domingo is the capital and is the main hub for travel in the Dominican Republic; volunteers often take weekday excursions to Zona Colonial, the capital of the new world set up by Columbus's brother, Don Diego. This sector contains the preserved remnants of Spanish colonialism, or to the Mercado home to the indigenous market in the Dominican Republic for Arts and Crafts especially from neighboring Haiti.

For those with longer stays, weekend trips to other Dominican cities, such as, Puerto Plata, Samana, Punta Cana and Haiti are available on request. Ask your country Director for details and cost.

Qualifications: The project is looking for volunteers who are comfortable communicating in Spanish and preferably know first hand about diabetes.

*Any and all volunteers are welcome.

The project is looking for doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, health educators, women's health specialists, social workers, and ESL teachers to participate in education and training programs for local volunteers, for counseling, primary patient care during regular clinic hours, and to assist with health promotion, education and the creation of educational materials.

While the needs and the working conditions are very basic, your 'hands-on' contribution can be life-changing. It will be very helpful if you can bring donated medical supplies.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: CUE believes that giving and sharing life experiences, education and skill are very rewarding ideals. We need volunteers from all walks of life to help our neighbors to the south. We believe learning is a lifelong pursuit that opens minds and enriches lives. At CUE we are passionate about Latin America and committed to making a positive, sustainable difference in the lives of as many Latino Americanos as possible. We need volunteers with a "hands-on" approach, rather than the "send money" methodology. We aim to be the local trust for the benefit of the project stakeholders, the vlounteers and the individual recipients.

Age Range: all ages

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

Participants Travel to Dominican Republic Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 6

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

Center for the Urban Environment Inc.'s Mission Statement: Our mission is to improve the quality of life of more Latin Americans by helping their social and economic development through education. At CUE we are passionate about Latin America and committed to making a positive, sustainable difference in the lives of as many Latino Americanos as possible by way of staff involvement and financial investment. In our core operations, we have developed strong partnerships wherein we aim to be the local trust for the benefit of the project stakeholders and the individual recipients.

Year Founded: 1996