Destination International: Outreach360, Dominican Republic
J-Term 2014, January 4th-11th, 2014
International Destination is a week-long service trip over J-Term. The Destination Program at UW–River Falls fosters engaged community members through education, direct service, and reflection. This year's international participants will serve with Outreach360 in the Dominican Republic. Participants will have the opportunity to work in the classroom teaching English, as well as interacting with children and the community.
Trip Description:
Outreach360 Overview:
Outreach360 was originally incorporated in 1995 as Orphanage Outreach to assist an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. As the Orphanage Outreach volunteer program grew, more and more volunteer effort was expended on disadvantaged neighboring communities. The focus was on education—English, literacy, and community health. To more accurately represent our community efforts, Orphanage Outreach began doing business as Outreach360 in 2011. Check out their website, http://www.outreach360.org/home/
The Need
Throughout the world, children are born in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Basic opportunities, especially educational opportunities, are lacking. Because of this, children reach adulthood without the education necessary to be accepted to a good university, and without the vocational training necessary to obtain a skilled job. These children then have no job or a low-paying unskilled job, turn to crime or prostitution to survive, have more children, and the dead-end cycle continues.
Our Strategy: Neighborhood Centers
Outreach360 will adopt specific disadvantaged neighborhoods. In each neighborhood we adopt, we will staff an Outreach360 Neighborhood Center. The Neighborhood Center will provide training from pre-school through high school:
Pre-school: Early Childhood Development Activities and Nutrition Program Grades 1-8: Literacy and English Grades 9-12: GED and Vocational Training All Levels: Community Health, Environmental Education & Life Skills
Service Overview:
The group will more than likely be serving in Monte Cristi:
Monte Cristi
Monte Cristi is a sleepy town of about 20,000 residents located on the northwest coast of the Dominican Republic. It was founded in the 16th century, and enjoyed a period of prosperity at the turn of the 19th century when Europeans exported mahogany and agricultural products. Today, its' salt flats produce a large amount of salt for Morton Salt, some fishermen make a living fishing, and there is a nearby melon and banana industry. Monte Cristi is home to a beautiful national park beach, El Moro.
Volunteer Schedule Overview:
There is no typical weekly or daily schedule. Some volunteer teams are large, some are small. Sometimes the kids are in school, sometimes they aren't. Sometimes the weather is dry and hot, sometimes it's cool and rainy.
That said, you might expect a normal volunteer week to consist of travel on Saturday to your location, Sunday is orientation and prep day, Monday-Thursday are work days, Friday is usually a day for a volunteer field trip to see some culture, some history, and perhaps the beach. And most volunteers travel home on Saturday.
And you might expect a daily work schedule to consist of:
7:00-8:00: Breakfast
8:00-9:00: Announcements/Prep Time
9:00-12:00: Tutoring/Teaching
12:00-1:00: Lunch
1:00-2:00: Prep Time/Flex Time/Recreation
2:00-5:00: Tutoring/Teaching
5:00-6:00: Free Time
6:00-7:00: Dinner
7:00-9:00: Kid's Movie/Art/Games/Church
9:00-10:00: Free Time
10:00: Quiet Time
Why Outreach360?
Experienced: Over 7000 volunteers have joined Outreach360 since 1994.
Professional: Full time American and Canadian staff who live at the orphanage will be there to support your own faculty or student team leader.
Safety and Health: Our team’s safety and health is the program’s number one priority. Nicaragua is very friendly and safe. They have never had an issue of a volunteer’s personal safety being threatened. Common sense safety guidelines are in place to keep our volunteer team safe. All bottled water is used in cooking; showers are chlorinated. Top rated travelers medical insurance is included. Good clinics are located nearby.
Results: Our team will have a safe and healthy trip, we will receive the satisfaction of knowing we have made a real difference through our service, we will enjoy intercultural experiences, and have an awesome experience.
Associated Cost:
The cost of the trip will be $1,800-2,000 depending on the cost of airfare.
First payment: $100 is due by Friday, September 20th at 4:30pm (application deadline) at the Involvement Center Front Desk (cash, check, or charge is acceptable)
Second Payment: $1,200 is due Monday, November 4th at 4:30pm at the Involvement Center Front Desk (cash, check, or charge is acceptable)
Third Payment: $700 is due Monday, December 2nd at 4:30pm at the Involvement Center Front Desk (cash, check, or charge is acceptable)
These costs cover: Transportation from UWRF to the airport and back, Airfare, ground transportation in the DR, meals, lodging, and travel insurance. There will be a $10 fee when exiting and entering the U.S. Any costs due to mementos, snacks, or extra beverages will be the financial responsibility of the participant.
Please note: Once you you have had an interview and have been accepted into the program and you have accepted your place in the program, full-payment will be required. Airfare and program costs will be purchased once final number of participants has been confirmed.
Program Requirements:
If you are selected as a participant, you will be expected to attend all educational meetings, team building, and training. There will be multiple group meetings during the months of October through December. These meetings will be determined once all participants have been selected and all calendars have been shared.
Our Destination program operates under a substance-free policy. No alcohol or illegal drugs of any kind are allowed on the trip, including travel to and from service city.
Any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Student Life at studentlife@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-4444
