Alternative Breaks: International

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” ~Gandhi

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

January 2009

Stay with the Bernardine Sisters in Santo Domingo for this life-changing week-long service trip to impoverished Santo Domingo.  Can be taken for Social Work, Spanish, or Theology class credit. 

- Work at a school/camp for young children

- Help with outdoor building projects

- Explore the city with a guide (safely)

- Experience the culture of the Dominican Republic

For more info contact Sara Marks.

Jennifer Glass, Assistant Associate Director of the Bernardine Franciscan Associates (and alumnus of Alvernia College), spent one year in the Dominican Republic in 1993.  When she returned, she wished to share the power, lessons and rewards of her experience with others.  Moreover, she desired to create a presence of love and friendship, particularly among children, in a highly impoverished section of Santo Domingo known as "Los Tres Brazos."  To make her dream a reality, Jen collaborated with Janice Fetrow-Stewart, Social Work Professor and the administration of Alvernia College to create a project known as La Misión de Amistad.

Spring 2007

This past January we spent six days in the Dominican Republic. During our trip we stayed with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in their convent. We worked at the school they run, helping students with crafts; playing games, like “duck, duck goose” and baseball; singing songs; teaching basic English lessons; and organizing and implementing a field day for the impoverished children. In addition, we fed the 40 children who attended the school breakfast or lunch depending on the sessions they attended.

We were able to contribute to and learn from the community while participating in a project to improve the home of a young brother and sister. Some of us were able to assist the members of the community as they replaced the roof and poured the concrete for a new walkway. With the help of some neighborhood children, we painted the fence surrounding the community’s church.

In addition to working hard in the community, we were able to celebrate the culture by eating Dominican food, visiting the beautiful beach and a spectacular cave, shop at the city’s market and watch some wonderful ethnic dances that were performed by both the children and the adults of the community.

As in years past, we traveled with extra suitcases full of supplies for the day camp and materials for the children such as crayons, paper, paints, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths, soap, tennis balls and t-shirts .

Through our work, we were able to make a tremendous impact on the community. However, it will never compare to the impact the people of Los Tres Brazos Barrio in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic made on us!

Please click to view individual reflections and photo gallery.