Grassroots Organization Volunteering in Dominican Republic

I enjoyed some of the activites , but not others. The rivre walk and the walk to the koppies was 10/10. No intrenet was challenging , so 7/10. Jane , Precious , Patrick and Lucas were 10/10. I woul recommend this project to anyone who needs a detox from Social media.

New culture, new people, New Life. When we exchange our perspectives, ideas and plans to make a world better place for everyone. It's good to go different places it helps me view life in many directions

Hice 5 años en haiti, me se su idioma, se toda su cultura, me gustaría volver y apoyarlos en todas las dificultades que tienen, ya que ameritan mucha ayuda de todos nosotros, para ellos poder sobrevivir

I would really like to volunteer. I am passionate about charity and showing kindness to the world. Please, give me a chance. Kindly provide Certificate of sponsorship too since I'm not able to provide for myself at the moment. Kindly put my request into consideration.

This an increasingly popular way for individuals to make a meaningful impact in communities around the world. With numerous organizations offering volunteer programs, it's essential to review and research these opportunities to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. *Pros:* 1. *Cultural Immersion*: Living and working with local communities provides an immersive cultural experience. 2. *Skill Development*: Volunteers can develop new skills and gain experience in areas such as teaching, conservation, and community development. 3. *Networking Opportunities*: Volunteers can connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. 4. *Personal Growth*: Volunteering abroad can be a transformative experience, fostering personal growth and self-awareness. *Cons:* 1. *Cost*: Many volunteer programs come with a hefty price tag, which can be a barrier for some. 2. *Safety Concerns*: Volunteers may face safety risks, such as health concerns or political instability, depending on the destination. 3. *Cultural Differences*: Adapting to local customs and way of life can be challenging for some volunteers. 4. *Quality of Programs*: Some volunteer programs may lack structure, support, or meaningful work, leading to a disappointing experience. *Recommendations:* 1. *Research Thoroughly*: Investigate the organization, program, and destination to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. 2. *Read Reviews*: Look for reviews from past volunteers to gain insight into the program's quality and challenges. 3. *Choose a Reputable Organization*: Select an organization with a proven track record, transparent policies, and adequate support for volunteers. 4. *Prepare Yourself*: Culturally, emotionally, and physically prepare yourself for the experience to ensure a smooth transition. By being aware of the pros and cons, doing thorough research, and choosing a reputable organization, volunteers can have a safe, rewarding, and life-changing experience abroad.

As a Social worker i often meet with clients to assess their needs, provide counseling, and develop individualized plans to address their challenges. This could involve sessions with individuals, families, or groups.

It was a nice experience to see how a local NGO works. I got a good insight in what to take into consideration when new volunteers are coming or when there are problems with the colleagues or the projects. But during my time, I met many motivated people that are eager to improve the projects and want to work on the impact of the foundation. All in all, I had a great time in the Dominican republic, met wonderful people and was able to see the work of a local NGO with all its opportunities, challenges and thoughts that are behind it.

- good solutions finding from the organisation or the coordinator if you need something - Even tho you sometimes don’t have much to do, the program still are consistent enough - Got opportunities like snorkeling or getting to see the other programs in NGO ´s management - Good communication with the coordinators - I was staying in a four persons bedroom and it was way too much, especially when someone was sick and everybody else was getting sick because we were always in a confine space together.

Mi experiencia como voluntaria en el sector de la administración y gestión de la ONG Aldeas de Paz ha sido en general positiva. Mi primer día se desarrolló muy bien, fui recibida por los voluntarios que ya estaban en el lugar, me mostraron la ciudad de Samaná, dónde está el supermercado, la farmacia, la estación de guagua y me acompañaron en los diversos trámites necesarios (tarjeta SIM, banco…). Fui a la playa de Samaná, que está muy linda. Las personas que conocí eran increíblemente amables y acogedoras, lo que hizo que mi estancia fuera aún más agradable. Sin embargo, me hubiera gustado tener un poco más de trabajo para sentirme aún más útil y, las asistencias obligatoria a las clases de español no fueron muy útiles porque tengo un nivel de español "avanzado". El equipo de trabajo es genial, muy sonriente y amable, lo que contribuyó a un ambiente de trabajo relajado. En resumen, esta experiencia me permitió descubrir una nueva cultura mientras contribuir a causas que me importan.

El primer día descubrí la ciudad con el equipo de Aldeas de Paz, me mostró los lugares importantes como la estación de guagua, los colmados y los supermercados. Firmé el contrato y me explicó lo que deberé hacer en la fundación. Al principio no tenía mucho trabajo, pero mis compañeras y yo propusieron varias ideas para la fundación en colaboración con el programa de multimedia. El trabajo depende de los proyectos que nuestro coordinador nos propone. Podemos también proponer ideas para mejorar la organización de la Fundación según los programas. Me hubiera gustado aprender más sobre el funcionamiento de una NGO. El equipo es muy dinámica y amable. La ciudad es muy bonita (sobre todo la playa) y la gente aquí es muy amable y nos ayuda cuando tenemos un problema o si no entendemos algo.

Dear Aldeas de Paz team, Thank you for keeping the good cause of the foundation alive by your daily work and for providing international volunteers to deep in to the Dominican culture. It was a pleasure supporting you and the beneficiaries. My time at Aldeas de Paz has been a great enrichment to myself and I met a lot of great people who made my stay in the Dominican Republic even better. I experienced the great importance of the work of a NGO and I was happy to see that the majority of the community in Samaná values our work. At the NGO Management programme we were given the opportunity to set up a new project from the scratch. I enjoyed this process and even more to put our planned actions into practice. I wish you all the best! Best regards, Jonas

Dear Aldeas de Paz team, Thank you for keeping the good cause of the foundation alive by your daily work and for providing international volunteers to deep in to the Dominican culture. It was a pleasure supporting you and the beneficiaries. My time at Aldeas de Paz has been a great enrichment to myself and I met a lot of great people who made my stay in the Dominican Republic even better. I experienced the great importance of the work of a NGO and I was happy to see that the majority of the community in Samaná values our work. At the NGO Management program we were given the opportunity to set up a new project from the scratch. I enjoyed this process and even more to put our planned actions into practice. I wish you all the best! Best regards, Jonas

- good solutions finding from the organisation or the coordinator if you need something - Even tho you sometimes don’t have much to do, the program still are consistent enough - Got opportunities like snorkeling or getting to see the other programs in NGO ´s management - Good communication with the coordinators - I was staying in a four persons bedroom and it was way too much, especially when someone was sick and everybody else was getting sick because we were always in a confine space together.

I had the most amazing week with BLUE. Disconnecting from my stressful life and being in nature with new people brought me more peace than ever. Meeting people in a different place who don’t live in the greatest of conditions but are so happy inspired me and made me feel so connected to the friends and peers I traveled with. I will never forget the fun I had and how full my heart was by the end of the trip to know that BLUE made such a difference for so many people!

I had the best time in my life during my trip with Blue Missions to Dominican Republic. I learned to be humble, to empathize with other's situations and to put in order the priorities in my life. As a teenager I valued a lot material things but after this trip I know my priorities are back where they should have been. I made connections with the community i will never forget and even if I though this trip was to help them, I feel I received much more from them than what i was capable to give them. I will recommend this trip to all my friends.

I feel as though words aren’t enough to describe what one week in the DR truly was for me, but I will try my best. For 7 days, immersed in simplicity, I was surrounded by over 20+ strangers that I’d never met, in a country I’d never been with little to no cell service. You would think I would feel scared or uneasy, but easily within the first few days that country became home and those strangers became family. It is there where i realized the beauty of the campo. A place free from social, cultural, economic and political barriers. A place where there is no room for superficial love, electronic distraction, meaningless conversations, anxieties, or loneliness. Instead it’s filled with community, kindness, friendliness, teamwork, laughter, music, dancing, bonding, bucket showers, mosquiteros, slapping down dominoes, living in the moment, real true love and a lot of hardworking people all trying to achieve one important goal. Blue missions truly figured out the secret to a perfect service trip.

I'm beyond glad that my first ever service trip was with BLUE Missions. Overall, it was a quite humbling and eye-opening experience. With my track record in community outreach, this type of mission was something I always wanted to participate in. Connecting with the community, locals, and volunteers/BLUE staff; helped me understand our greater purpose. Not to mention made the entire trip come full circle. The trip chaperones were very professional & enthusiastically lead the group day in, day out. The BLUE Staff/construction team demonstrated great camaraderie. By day three of the trip, I was convinced that I wanted to participate again. I can easily recommend a BLUE Missions trip to anyone I know. Excited to see what happens next year.

This trip was extremely eye opening and reminded me of how grateful I should be for everything that I have. I would love to intern in the future and be able to volunteer with BLUE more often. I felt truly moved by this experience and I only wish the best for BLUE's organization so that it can grow and more people can experience what I have.

I probably had one of the best experiences of my life in Natuwa for a month, feeding the many animals that live there, taking care of them, discovering a different way of life than mine, more minimalist and peaceful. Rodolfo is an extremely understanding man who cares about the well-being of his voluntarios. We had the chance to do several extra activities outside the centre, such as snorkeling near to Isla Tortuga, or swimming at night with bioluminescent planktons, which were dazzling. The workteam is really friendly and allows you to feel integrated quickly and easily. However, you have to expect to work hard sometimes, for example planting trees, doing work to maintain the infrastructure, but this is only a part of the day. outside the centre

Going in this trip for the second summer in a row was one Of the best decisions I have ever made. I made became really close with a bunch of girls I never thought I would become friends with. Also knowing that I was helping so many family’s get something we here take advantage of all of time made me feel amazing and like I was actually doing something.