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Release the Hero WithinVolunteers and donors are making a tremendous difference in the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. We look at this as Releasing the Hero Within the children our volunteers and donors! -
College ProgramsEach year hundreds of college students make a tremendous impact in the lives of many children! We invite all majors and minors to get involved."This summer's trip was my third visit to Esperanza; each time has been more meaningful than the last, and each time it gets harder and harder to leave. To say that this experience has changed my life is a gross understatement, for the boys of the Good Samaritan Orphanage have become a part of me. They have taught me so much more than I could ever hope to give them in return."
Amanda Thompson
Georgetown University -
High School ProgramsEach year hundreds of college students make a tremendous impact in the lives of many children! We invite all majors and minors to get involved."It’s something I’ll never forget. Allow yourself to be vulnerable; it could be the best thing you ever do. It was for me."
Sara Matwychuk
St. John's Ravenscourt School -
Christian MissionsOrphanage Outreach invites you to join us for a short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We have many opportunities to work with the churches and communities of the northwestern part of the Dominican Republic. You are invited to join us any week of the year. Individuals, couples, families, and church teams are invited to join us."If you are considering taking an Orphanage Outreach trip, stop thinking about it and DO IT! It will change your life."
Leah Houghton
Mt. Pleasant Community Church -
Health Corps ProfessionalsOrphanage Outreach is an American non-profit organization that has been working in the northwest part of the Dominican Republic since 1994. Over 8000 international volunteers have joined us since 1994, with the majority of focus being on education. Originally focused solely on the local orphanages, thanks to volunteer growth the focus has expanded to include additional needs in the community. One area of true need is health education and treatment."Orphanage Outreach provides a great opportunity for any health care provider to experience another culture, while providing much-needed care to the local people."
Glenn Merz -
Familiy VolunteeringAn Orphanage Outreach trip is a great experience to share with your family. We encourage families to join us any week of the year to make a big impact in the lives of many children."I had some reservations before we went on the trip, but I was surprised and really pleased with the actual experience. We learned so much about ourselves, the kids, the country of the Dominican Republic, the poverty and joy of the Dominican people, their history and its relationship to our history - it was fascinating."
Ali Mastain -
Individual VolunteersEach year many volunteers travel with us solo. You don't need to have a team to make a big difference!"This summer's trip was my third visit to Esperanza; each time has been more meaningful than the last, and each time it gets harder and harder to leave. To say that this experience has changed my life is a gross understatement, for the boys of the Good Samaritan Orphanage have become a part of me. They have taught me so much more than I could ever hope to give them in return."
Amanda Thompson
Georgetown University
Volunteer Guide - Health and Safety
It is natural and prudent to have concerns about health and safety when traveling overseas to a developing country. Here are some comments concerning these issues relative to traveling with Orphanage Outreach to the Dominican Republic:
Health:
- Only purified bottled water is used for cooking and drinking.
- Mosquito nets are provided for sleeping.
- A competent, professional clinic is located near the orphanage.
- Emergency medical evacuation is included in your insurance.
- Additional medical precaution information is located in the Volunteer Information Packet.
Safety and Security:
- You will be living and working on the orphanage grounds and the local schools.
- You will usually be living and working with 20-70 other volunteers.
- You may be allowed to walk several blocks into the center of town as an organized group to buy ice cream, snacks, etc.
- The orphanage is located in small, rural towns. The people in the Dominican Republic are very friendly, with no anti-American sentiment. Orphanage Outreach volunteers are welcomed.
- Since 1994, we have had over 8,000 volunteers working with us in the Dominican Republic, with no issues of a volunteer’s personal safety being threatened.
You will be transported to and from the airport as a group in a chartered bus.