YOUTH CARE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Enhance the lives of disadvantaged communities through inclusion and equal opportunities

Program Description

Aldeas de Paz - Empowering Communities, Enriching Lives - Welcome to Aldeas de Paz's Community Attention Center (CAC) in Samana, where we uplift underprivileged communities through dedicated support. Our local team of teachers, therapists, social workers, and a pedagogue fosters community care for youth, combining recreation, therapy, and education. Education and inclusion are paramount. Committed volunteers play a crucial role in providing one-on-one attention, tutoring, and participating in our Football for Peace project. Together with our local team, we care for beneficiaries at the center and during home visits. Many Dominican children struggle due to poor study habits or lack of personalized support. Our warm learning environment fosters success through encouragement and praise. Join us at Aldeas de Paz to be part of a transformative journey, empowering individuals, and enriching lives.

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Volunteer Placement or Internship:

If you're joining as an intern, we understand that your school or university may have specific requirements. Please inform us in advance about your internship criteria, enabling us to tailor a personalized work plan to suit your needs. Share your expectations and goals with us, and we'll work together to ensure you achieve them. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during the internship.

What to expect

Our program offers flexible commitment options for volunteers, starting with a minimum of 4 hours daily! In case you decide for a full working week with up to 40 hours you are required to also help out at the early childhood development program at a local day care center! Diverse Activities: Specialize or participate in various dynamic projects to broaden perspectives and enrich skills. Encouraging Initiative: Your ideas and creativity shape the program and contribute to skill development. A Rewarding Experience: Join Aldeas de Paz for a fulfilling volunteering experience, making a positive impact and enhancing skills. Make a Difference: Contribute to meaningful causes and create lasting positive change in the community. Skill Enhancement: Learn and grow in a supportive environment, gaining valuable experience. Embark on a fulfilling journey with us, making a meaningful difference and gaining new insights and skills. Join our vibrant community of volunteers and make a positive impact.

• Community Social Work: Assist families, outreach, coordination, immersion with Spanish skills.
• Community Care and Development: Support inclusion, varies based on local circumstances.
• Aldeas de Paz Community Attention Center (CAC) in Samana: Care for children with disabilities, tutoring, inclusive environment. Basic Spanish is helpful but not mandatory.

Holidays - Summer Holidays are from June 17 until June 28 and July 29 until August 18 as well as Christmas Holidays from December 16 until January 06, 2025. During holidays there might be some activities going on but there are no children attending! 

Attention: Volunteers are welcome to help out at our Summer Camp from July 01 until July 26 at our attention center in Samana and also stay at our Volunteer Guesthouse during Dominican Christmas and new year holidays! Even though working and business life comes to a halt through this two week period when the whole country is celebrating Christmas, our volunteers are welcome to celebrate Christmas and new year together with us and the Dominican people!

Activities can include but are not limited to

• Assist with special needs education at the CA-Center and during home visits.
• Support educational and social activities, creating didactic materials using recycling techniques.
• Lead thematic workshops (basic Spanish skills helpful) and offer direct attention and monitoring during services.
• Participate in weekly meetings to create lesson plans and multimedia content.
• Learn to identify individual/family/community needs and assist with case studies and interventions.
• Engage in recreational, developmental, and therapeutic activities for children and young adults with special needs.
• Spending quality time with children, organizing art & craft activities, singing, and dancing to foster inclusion.
• Assist with youth, family, and community development activities, offering support during home visits (basic Spanish skills helpful).
• Help organize special events, fundraising parties, and community activities.
• Organize intercultural events and meetings for locals and volunteers, fostering exchange and integration.
• Plan workshops on disability and related topics for target groups (advanced Spanish skills needed).

Note: The list provides a sample of possible activities, and volunteers may have opportunities to engage in other tasks based on their interests and skills.

Requirements

No previous experience or special skills are required. Basic Spanish skills are required but there are many activities where very little Spanish is needed and even beginners can be involved with meaningful work. Additionally we offer free Spanish language classes on a regular basis. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. We provide full support, and 24/7 backup. Ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused, patient, and can work autonomously with supervision. Bring arts & crafts materials. Join us to make a positive impact!

Availability

This program is ongoing throughout the whole year. During summer holidays we offer summer-camp activities with the help of volunteers. Last week of December and the first week of January are Christmas holidays!

Time Commitment

A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year 

Placement Location

Samaná & Las Terrenas

About your Placement Location

The Aldeas de Paz Foundation is based in the charming coastal villages of Samana and Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. Samana, in the north-eastern corner, has about 15,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its safety, tranquil atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. The community values social responsibility and exudes a secure, small European town vibe. The Dominican Republic's countryside is widely recognized for its peacefulness, making it one of the safest regions in the Caribbean. When you join our program, you'll experience a welcoming and secure environment while contributing to meaningful projects in this picturesque part of the world.

Accommodation

Discover our sought-after volunteer guesthouse apartments in Samaná and Las Terrenas, offering convenience, safety, and scenic beauty. Standard accommodation includes shared rooms for bonding with fellow volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Choose from double, single, or homestay options to immerse in local culture. Enjoy free wifi and access to a washing machine. Collaborate with volunteers worldwide for a rich cultural exchange and lifelong friendships. Join us in creating a respectful and supportive community, ensuring a personally rewarding volunteering experience. Be part of this meaningful journey and leave with unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.

Travel Logistics

Volunteer safety is our top priority. Upon your arrival at the airport, our friendly English-speaking driver will be there to greet you and help with your transit to the bus terminal. They'll ensure you have a direct and comfortable bus ticket to Samana, your placement location (approximately 2 hours). Once you arrive, our dedicated staff and fellow volunteers will warmly welcome you and escort you to your accommodation.

Costs & Benefits

At Aldeas de Paz, we are committed to affordability and financial transparency with our open book policy. Our minimum contribution starts at just €155 per week (after the second week). This inclusive package covers Spanish language classes, comfortable accommodation in fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a dedicated program donation, personal welcome service, airport pick-up, bus transfer, bus fare, and a free transfer to your placement location.

This is included:

• Airport welcome service & transfer to your placement location 

• Fully equipped Accommodation in Las Terrenas or Samana depending where you will be placed
• Free WiFi & access to washing machine
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Placement introduction, certificate & student credit
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Special Offer

Enjoy free Spanish language classes for volunteers and interns, emphasizing practical communication skills. Develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities naturally, similar to learning one's mother tongue. From day one, you'll use Spanish in real-life situations with role-plays, situational dialogues, and work projects complementing the basic syllabus. Beyond the classroom, immerse yourself in the Spanish language and Dominican culture for a continuous learning experience.

Program Highlights

• Immerse in the vibrant Dominican lifestyle, embracing the rhythm of Caribbean music
• Master Spanish fluency through free classes and embrace daily life with locals.
• Fuel your passion for learning and boost your career with international experience.
• Create unforgettable memories with weekend excursions alongside fellow participants.
• Relish the stunning beaches of Samana, conquer Pico Duarte's peaks, and explore Santo Domingo's historical colonial town.

What makes the Dominican Republic and Samana unique?

Samana, a captivating peninsula in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, boasts breathtaking beauty. With its lush coconut trees extending into the sea, it feels like a secluded island. The town of Samana is a picturesque and tranquil port, where friendly locals engage in tourism, agriculture, and fishing, all accompanied by the lively rhythms of Merengue, Bachata, and Salsa music. A two-kilometer-long Malecon (seaside promenade) offers delightful strolls day and night, leading to a variety of charming restaurants and bars, perfect for relaxing evenings. Surrounding the peninsula, you'll find hundreds of fantastic beaches, ready to be explored on day trips or weekend getaways. Embrace the Dominican lifestyle, enjoying the soothing rhythm of Caribbean music in this idyllic destination!

Contact Information  

Project/charity name: Fundación Aldeas de Paz

Address: Samana, Dominican Republic

Whatsapp: +1 829 7055 123

E-Mail: mail@peacevillages.org

Webpage: https://www.peacevillages.org/youth-care-community/

Facebook: https://www.facebook/AldeasdePaz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AldeasDePaz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AldeasDePaz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Peacevillages