My high school trip to the Dominican Republic was one of many firsts for me in the “travel world.” It was my first time on a plane (i.e. my first time realizing that I never again wanted the middle seat). It was my first real trip abroad (taking a ferry into Canadian waters doesn’t really count in my book). And it was my first volunteer experience in a culture completely new to me.

In the year 2005, I had a high schoolers opportunity of a lifetime—volunteering in the Dominican Republic for a total of 8 days with my Spanish Club. We’d be helping out the Sister Island Project with their arts and crafts camp in the small minimalistic town of Cruz Verde while staying with host families and practicing our Spanish. After parent-teacher informational sessions, fundraising events, and group meetings on expectations, cultural differences, and donations, I was stoked! And to make it even more exciting, one of my closest friends was able to come along and share the experience!

Those 8 days of volunteering were over in a flash, and I had such an awesome and rewarding time that I decided to do it again in the summer of 2007, right after graduating high school. This time, with my sister in tow! Learn more about the project, the town, and how to get involved below. 

About the Project

The Sister Island Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international friendships and cultural and educational exchange between Americans and Dominicans, and fosters awareness on diversity and sustainable development. It was started by Victoria Santos and is still run by her and Peter Blaustein—both amazing people with the biggest hearts and the coolest of dance moves (yes, I still remember your bachata Victoria!).

There are multiple projects you can help with here. The project we focused on was helping with the Arts Camp, a 3-day arts and crafts camp for around 200 local children. There are typically chances to help with home construction and education as well.

My Experience

Upon arriving in Santo Domingo, the Dominican’s capital, we were met by Peter and Victoria and a small group of other volunteers. One bus ride later and we were being greeted by every smiling local in town and rushed off to meet our host families for the week. We instantly had to whip out our Spanish speaking skills and our best charades moves.

Many of the houses we stayed in had no running water or electricity. My host family consisted of two adorable little boys, ages 4 and 6, and their Aunt who was taking care of them while their parents were in America on business. They were a bit more “well-off” than others as they had their own toilet and shower in the backyard and received a little bit of electricity. ‘Toilet’ and ‘shower’ being a cement hole in the ground and a large barrel they kept filled with water, both surrounded by various pieces of rusted sheet-metals nailed together. There was a bucket under the bed for doing your business at nighttime.

The town had a small store with basic necessities, a little salon, a church, and an elementary school. A Learning Center was in the process of being built. They now use the Learning Center for a women’s sewing program, a library, and a place to learn performance art, English, and more.

Each morning and evening we all gathered in a communal building in the town center for breakfast and dinner made by the locals. This was the beginning of my interest and willingness to try anything when it came to food. I recall one morning being served a soup-like concoction with chicken feet sticking out of the surface.

Lunch was mostly eaten at the arts and crafts camp we led with the local youth group. To get to the camp required a long walk in the heat through what was typically a muddy road with the occasional herd of cows or free range goats. Around 200 children from all over the surrounding area came to learn about art, make crafts, and play games with us while receiving a free snack and meal. Some of these people walked such a long way just to be there for the 3 day camp. We definitely tried to make it worth their while, though we didn’t always have the proper tools at hand. The locals showed us just how far we could stretch our imaginations and get creative with our crafts and games when certain materials weren’t available. Who needs rope for a game of tug-of-war, anyway?

Once the arts camp ended, a health presentation was held in the town center. Free items were handed out—toothbrushes, floss, diapers, pamphlets, etc—and a few informational talks were given. The building was PACKED. Women, just like the children attending the arts camp, had walked for miles just to be there. I’ll never forget this one woman who showed up late. Midway through Victoria’s talk, she entered the room and Victoria immediately stopped whatever she had been talking about and started raising her voice at the woman and ran to get her a chair. We looked back at her and saw her huge pregnant belly. Like, Very pregnant. Like, she could have been hiding one of the free range goats up in there. From what I understood with my mediocre Spanish was that this preggo lady had walked at least a few miles…miles…simply to get the free health care items to provide for her family.

Nearing the end of our short stay here, all the volunteers got together for a cultural awareness day where we got to pick and choose from a selection of activities happening around the town. I opted to join the chocolate making lesson after playing countless games of dominos, watching a baseball game, playing with the kids, and getting my nails done by a neighbor hoping to work in a U.S. salon some day. Other volunteers paid a bit of money for a horseback ride and learned about sugar cane. The night capped off with a disco and a lot of super awkward attempts at learning how to bachata and merengue with the locals.

On our last day, we took a day trip into Santo Domingo to check out a fort, souvenir shops, and Boca Chica Beach. While taking a break from being flung off the back of high speed banana boat rides, I reflected on my way-too-short first trip abroad and all of the incredible people I had met. These people had such limited resources, but I had never seen anyone else smile as much as they did. So much was to be said about making something out of nothing and getting creative with whatever’s at hand.

How You Can Get Involved

There’s been a lot of growth in this project since I was last here in 2007. Peter and Victoria are still accepting volunteers and donations and would love to introduce you to the Dominican culture! I’m still surprised with their lower-end program fee of $750 per person. I’ve seen loads of other similar programs charging much higher rates. If you think you might be interested in voluntourism in the Dominican Republic, head on over to the Sister Island Project website to learn more.

Where was your first trip abroad?
Have you volunteered with or hope to volunteer with a project abroad?
Tell me about it in the comments!

Save This Post To Pinterest :