Description

In cooperation with Save the Children, Rustic Pathways is proud to offer this unique service experience in the Dominican Republic. See firsthand the work that Save the Children does in these communities, and get a chance to lend a hand.

International Cooperation
Learn about the intricacies of working within a global NGO, Save the Children projects, and how the service work is implemented. During the day, work alongside locals on infrastructure improvement, health initiatives, camp activities for local children, or educational workshops. Spend your evenings taking part in discussions with guest speakers from Save the Children and local NGOs where you will learn about the issues affecting these communities and the measures being take to alleviate them.

The City that Columbus Built
Arrive into Santo Domingo, a city of many firsts. Tour through the oldest colonial city in the Americas and check out the sites of the first university, cathedral, and hospital in the Americas. Learn about the rich history of the Dominican Republic as you meander through 500-year-old cobblestone streets. Visit the lighthouse dedicated to Columbus on the 500th anniversary of his first voyage, where his remains can now be found. This marvel of engineering is so powerful that when lit it can be seen from Puerto Rico! Then head over to Tres Ojos, a 50 foot open air cavern and collection of underground blue lagoons once used by the Taino people as a shelter during hurricanes. As you walk through the caves enjoy the unique stalactites formations overhead and end the tour with a ride on a hand pulled boat that takes you across one of the lagoons.

Life in the Batey
After a day in Santo Domingo you will visit and live near worker communities called bateyes in the areas of San Pedro de Macoris and Punta Cana where you will work directly with Save the Children's ongoing Batey Community Development Project. These bateyes have been traditionally composed of nomadic sugar cane workers and have become permanent as the sugar cane industry has diminished. Learn how to work the cane from the braseros, men who have cultivated sugar cane their whole lives. Cut it, carry it, and then visit an ingenio, where the cane is processed into sugar. These communities contain some of the lowest standards of living in the country, often lacking running water, electricity, or proper infrastructure. Rustic Pathways and Save the Children work to empower community members to support sustainable initiatives and increase living standards through local infrastructure and agriculture projects and education iniatives at schools and community centers.

White-sand Beaches
On the weekends, take advantage of the Dominican coast as you visit the beaches of Juan Dolio, Punta Cana, and Bavaro. Snorkel in turquoise waters, take a surfing lesson, or dig your feet deep into the white sand. Swim in the warm Caribbean waters and enjoy this paradise that first caught the eye of the Taino people, and later Europeans. Take a tour of an ecological foundation and learn about the strides local NGO's are making to make tourism more sustainable. Learn about water treatment facilities, coral reef restoration, wildlife rehabilitation, and other ways to coexist with this beautiful environment.

Who Should Come?
This program is designed for students who want to contribute to a well organized and developed service projects with a global NGO. Expect not only a service experience but also an educational one, where you learn about the issues affecting the batey communities. The service will not be light, and will make true changes on the communities we serve. Come ready to get your hand dirty, and become immersed in the local culture.

Highlights

COLLABORATE with Save the Children on ongoing service projects in the Bateyes of San Pedro de Macoris and Punta Cana.

EXPERIENCE Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city that boasts the first colonial city, University, Cathedral, and hospital in the Americas.

RELAX on the white-sand beaches of Punta Cana and Juan Dolio.

SNORKEL in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Qualifications

Students must be 15-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

2,995 USD + International airfare

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983