Boomers Abroad

Description

The ISV Dominican Republic Program
International Student Volunteers offers you the unique ability to combine meaningful volunteer projects and exciting adventure travel throughout the tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a developing country facing the ongoing struggles of poverty. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to work in Dominican communities that are handpicked by ISV and make a difference to the lives of hundreds underprivileged children and families. Your efforts will focus on education (via the ISV Children's Program) and building projects for community infrastructure in rural areas. Many of these communities have no electricity or running water; everyday things that many people take for granted. You may find yourself building a school or community center, designing a community garden or constructing a trail.

After your incredible volunteer project, ISV will take you on an amazing tour throughout some the Dominican Republic's natural treasures. These include a caving adventure, surfing and windsurfing lessons on the world famous Cabarete Beach, horseback riding through lush rainforests and rappelling down stunning waterfalls.

Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course with Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills you will even stay with a local family!

About ISV
International Student Volunteers Inc, is a US-based non-profit organization that offers globally minded participants the unique opportunity to combine meaningful volunteer projects and adventure travel. ISV has offices all over the world to look after over 4,000 participants who volunteer with us every year. ISV volunteers come from all countries and you don't have to be a student to participate. ISV offers programs in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, South Africa and Ecuador. Because of ISV's strong educational focus, many university students apply to receive academic credit for their involvement in the program.

About the Dominican Republic:
The Dominican Republic is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, vibrant culture and warm, friendly people. With the highest mountains of the Caribbean, breathtaking beaches and a vast network of underground caves, you will fall in love with this beautiful country and its festive culture. Fueled by a love of rhythm and dance, and set against a backdrop of amazing reefs and thick jungles, the communities of the Dominican Republic will change your perspective on life forever. This nation is one of the poorest in the region, and you will work alongside communities to build vital infrastructure and establish educational programs for children. Your life will be touched by the passion and spirit these people live by, despite their extreme poverty.

Volunteer Projects
ISV has projects throughout the Dominican Republic, which shares the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Every volunteer will have the opportunity to help educate children through the ISV Children's Program which involves teaching English, math, geography, natural sciences, arts and crafts and recreational activities to poor children in rural communities that have little access to quality education.

The Dominican Republic will inevitably touch your heart and mind forever.
By volunteering with ISV you could find yourself making a difference in any of the following areas:

Community Development: Help build a sustainable community and improve quality of life!
The goal is to improve the quality of life of the people in these communities. You will also make a physical difference to someones life as our projects include building and renovating homes, community centers, schools, and latrines, sidewalk construction, building community gardens and even orphanage and hospital visits. Often you will find yourself working alongside the members of the community who will be using these facilities, as this is a joint effort.

ISV Children's Program: Inspire and brighten up an impoverished child's life!
As a volunteer you will help educate children who have no access to everyday resources like books, pencils, and teachers. ISV has developed an ongoing program where you will teach English, math, geography and sciences to rural children. Fun activities such as music and dance, arts and crafts and physical recreation are also incorporated into the ISV Children's Program. The ISV Children's Program facilitates understanding and appreciation in a wonderful environment of cultural exchange. Each volunteer brings donations that are used within the program and fills out a Talent Worksheet before arrival in order to incorporate their personal skills and interests into the program as effectively as possible.

Community Ecology, Trail Management and Reforestation: Help rural communities preserve their natural resources!
On these projects you will become part of special remote communities that depend on eco-tourism as a means of sustainability. You will help them develop their strategies and assist in trail management and reforestation so eco-tourists can appreciate the area with minimal impact. You will also be involved in ecological education of the community in conjunction with the local community leaders!

Adventure Tour
You will travel throughout the Dominican Republic, exploring the limestone caves, coral reefs, lush canyons and rivers, the Dominican Alps, breathtaking beaches and laid-back beachside lifestyles on the North Coast and Southwest regions, in contrast with the historic cultural richness of the nations capital, Santo Domingo. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Horseback riding to secluded waterfalls
* Whitewater Rafting on the Yaque del Norte River
* Surfing and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea
* Canyoning, rappelling, hiking, cliff-jumping and sliding down natural waterfalls
* Exploring the largest cave in the Caribbean
* Discovering the capital city of Santo Domingo. Go merengue dancing, wander the cobblestone streets in the footsteps of conquistadors and pirates, and see the old Spanish architecture in the colonial areas of the historic city.