What inspired you to work with Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages Foundation and, more specifically, with individuals with special needs?
I studied helping and teaching people with special needs because it had always been what I wanted to do. I like my work a lot and actually, I wouldn’t consider it only as work. It is my passion and my true motivation and belief to help underprivileged people to make a change.
Furthermore, I wanted to experience working in a Caribbean community, so I integrated myself here in Samaná. I collaborated with many different people, especially with those connected to the Mamá Elba School, since it is the only school for people with special needs in the whole area of the peninsula Samaná. Those collaborations led me to this position.
Jessica with students
Describe a typical day of work for you.
In the morning, I usually have meetings with the different institutions and representatives that we are cooperating with. Furthermore, depending on the day, meetings with the coordinators and volunteers of Aldeas de Paz take place to discuss the next steps in our work, set long and short term goals, and evaluate the work and improvements we have already achieved.
The meetings are followed by the daily routine consisting of computer work to plan educational school projects, report the development and behaviour of our students, enabling us to notice improvements or changes to provide them with the best education, and visits of the families of the children in their homes.
The family visits are one of the most important parts of our educational model. They help us to be in consistent contact and exchange with the parents and relatives of our students to collaborate together with them so that they are directly and permanently included in the education of their students.
Additionally, I offer Spanish lessons to the volunteers of Aldeas de Paz (ADP). In the afternoon, our lessons at Mamá Elba start, so I work together with the volunteers of ADP in the school with all of the students. My responsibility is to guide, train, and help the volunteers in their daily work. Other than the lessons and normal work with the students, I prepare meetings, talks, and workshops for the school team and families.
Jessica on site
What do you find most fulfilling in your role as the Coordinator for the Mamá Elba Special Education School?
Thanks to the work of the whole team, we are helping many families in the community of Samaná in a process of inclusion in the society and all different parts of life. It makes me proud and happy to make a difference and help underprivileged people facing their every day challenges with motivation and confidence.
Moreover, creating an impact on the community to fight prejudices and removing taboos about people with disabilities still existing in the Dominican society is something that motivates me every day.
Are there specific qualities you look for in a volunteer? If so, what are they?
Yes, there are. In my eyes, it is essential that volunteers should have the ability to be creative, motivated, and patient, and to have a lot of energy while working with the students.
A basic knowledge of Spanish is very recommended, too, so that you get to know the students and their families better through being able to integrate yourself deeply into the different projects of the school.
Jessica in the First Fundraising Party of Mamá Elba School, with the mayor of Samaná
Why do you think it is so important for individuals to travel and volunteer?
While traveling, you get to know different cultures and have experiences that make you more open-minded which enables you to see the world through the eyes of people with other cultural backgrounds.
It is unique to experience a country without the influences of stereotypes created by the tourism industry and other sources. Being a volunteer is a very positive experience for personal enrichment and growth. It is the chance to explore new parts of your personality and make friends from all around the world.
Do you have any advice for potential volunteers?
Don’t be afraid of trying something new and participate in this incredible experience of getting to know a different way of living.
If you are worried about anything, just ask the coordinator and other volunteers, they are always willing to help. The volunteers, coordinators, actually everyone working for the NGO are a strong, little community, more like a family than just colleagues.
Jessica playing with a student
Why is Santa Bárbara de Samaná a good location for volunteers?
Located directly at the sea, the city is beautiful. It is a small city, but safe. The people are very friendly and allow you to adapt well to the Dominican life here. It is not a typical tourist city, but you can find people from all around the world here.
There are many options for spending your free time after work or on the weekends. Samaná is famous for its whale-watching excursions. Thanks to the public transportation system, all important places of Samaná are easy and fast to reach. There are also several buses per day going to the capital, Santo Domingo, and cities in the whole Dominican Republic.
What makes Aldeas de Paz special?
The volunteers are united like a family. The foundation offers many different programs always in close contact with the community and local partner organizations. A great feature, that Fundacion Aldeas de Paz offers is the possibility, that every volunteer can start his or her own project here.
The organization is run in close contact to the volunteers and considers them when making decisions. That transparency is something unique and fantastic, in my opinion, because then the volunteers can really see the impact of their work and gain important working and life experience.
What is one hope you have for the future of Aldeas de Paz and the Mamá Elba Special Education School?
My biggest hope definitely is the complete inclusion and integration of people with special needs or any other disabilities into all parts of our everyday life, meaning socially, educationally, autonomously, and inclusion into the working life.
And, very important as well, that we, as the only school for people with special needs in Samaná, are an example and role model for other institutions to follow and join us in our work to provide even a better education for even more people with special needs and disabilities.
