ANIMAL RESCUE, ASSISTANCE & CARE

The staff team was great and always offered support, Nacho the coordinator was very nice and was always ready to help. The volunteering work was great but could be improved by adding consistent tasks for volunteers to complete, the hours for the work were very good since we only worked around the morning and the rest of the day we were free to do as we pleased. The living conditions were very simple but i liked that at Las terrenas all volunteers lived together so it was very easy to socialize and make friends with the others. Las terrenas as a town was incredible the beaches and the people were amazing. I loved that everything was not very far from the accommodation so it was very easy to get to the beach or to restaurants.

All beginnings are difficult… and in the Dominican Republic, they are even more difficult. Although I came here with a bundle of ideas, I had to slow down to the local pace (which is partially good and already kind of cultural exchange) and even then to face the limitations of my activities. My conclusion is that one should not expect or try to initiate new projects/ collaborations in one month only. We (Sebastian, the coordinator, was extremely supportive!) tried a lot of different options, and it may appear only bits and pieces in the end, but I still hope that I have left a footprint behind me, which I guess is all you can expect - and it would be sufficient! I enjoyed, though, learning about the Dominican people, their way of thinking, their priorities and of course the surroundings of the peninsula, a pleasant place to work and do sightseeing… Aldeas de Paz is investing a lot of effort, so I wish them lots of success!