 The Dominican Foundation is an international volunteer program that seeks to help the people of the Dominican Republic achieve access to clean water, adequate sanitation, basic health care and a decent education. We are searching for individuals, whether students or adults, who have the compassion, the adventurous spirit and the work ethic to help us achieve our goals. At Dominican Foundation, we believe that we have created an international volunteer program that will provide you with all the tools necessary to complete the journey.
The Dominican Republic, a nation that borders Haiti in the Caribbean, is a beautiful and historic country that is currently experiencing a desperate state of nationwide poverty. Due to years of corruption, overpopulation, job scarcity, the increasing gap between the rich and the poor, and the rise in the national debt, many Dominicans live in conditions that most Westerners would consider inhumane. Sixty percent of the population lives in poverty; one-third lives in extreme poverty. The Dominican people possess the third lowest standard of living in the Western Hemisphere. The average Dominican monthly income is less than $60. Because of these conditions, many basic human needs which we take for granted, are not being met. Since clean drinking water and proper sanitation are almost non-existent in many parts of the country, disease also becomes a major issue. At the Dominican Foundation, we strive to lay the foundation to help the people of the Dominican Republic rise up from the poverty, disease and illiteracy that they have been immersed in for so long and become a proud, stable nation that can sustain itself. With your help, we hope to meet these expectations soon.
The Dominican Foundation and its partner, the Dominican Institute for Integral Development have created an international volunteer program whereby volunteers from the U.S. and other countries can volunteer their time and energy to help raise the Dominican people to a higher standard of living. As much of a help as monetary donations are, they are often not enough. The Dominican Foundation wishes to support and educate the Dominican people through various programs so that they can sustain themselves, and this can only be accomplished through the tireless and enthusiastic effort of our team of volunteers. Our volunteers will be immersed in the culture of the people as well as exposed to the vibrancy and charm of the Caribbean landscape. As you are experiencing the best that the Dominican has to offer, you will be helping its citizens achieve a higher quality of life.
There are several projects to choose from, including: water purification, school restoration, reforestation, HIV/AIDS prevention, micro-credit development and preservation of a botanical/archeological park. As a volunteer, you will work alongside engineers, agriculture specialists and medical specialists who are also donating their time and expertise to those Dominicans who have lived their entire lives in abject poverty.
While you are volunteering your much-needed time and energy in the Dominican, we will make sure that your needs are taken care of, including food and accommodation. A two-day orientation in Santo Domingo is provided, along with two hours of Spanish Conversation instruction every evening. A full-time professional staff will accompany volunteers throughout the duration of the project, and medical insurance is provided.
Join the program today by filling out the registration form on the Become a Volunteer page. Volunteering with the Dominican Foundation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where you can help others as well as learn a great deal about yourself and the determination of the human spirit.
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