Orphanage Outreach Facilities/Accommodations
Dominican Republic
Located between Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic shares the ishland of Hispaniola with Haiti. The Dominican Republic is a very safe and friendly country, with many Dominicans having family living in the states. A representative democracy has been in place since the 1960's. Baseball is the national sport, with many Dominicans playing in the major leagues. The country is very poor, especially along the "frontera", the area along the Haiti border. The major industries include tourism, agriculture especially the sugar crop, mining and manufacturing.
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.
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.
Hogar La Esperanza de un Nino
Orphanage Outreach also supports a local orphanage in town. The Hope of a Child Orphanage is home to about 40 children, both boys and girls. It is managed by Pastor Ramon Perdomo and his wife, Martha. Pastor Ramon is also the pastor of the Pentecostal church, Bella Vista Cana. Orphanage Outreach short-term volunteers often stay on the orphanage grounds, in summer camp type facilities.
Orphanage Outreach also supports a local orphanage in town. The Hope of a Child Orphanage is home to about 40 children, both boys and girls. It is managed by Pastor Ramon Perdomo and his wife, Martha. Pastor Ramon is also the pastor of the Pentecostal church, Bella Vista Cana. Orphanage Outreach short-term volunteers often stay on the orphanage grounds, in summer camp type facilities.
Boys and Girls English Institute
In the spring of 2007, Orphanage Outreach purchased a building in Monte Cristi, and converted it into an English institute. Aside from classrooms and a computer lab, there is also sleeping space on the fourth floor and a full functioning kitchen. There is also a great new park "kiddy-corner" to the Institute.
In the spring of 2007, Orphanage Outreach purchased a building in Monte Cristi, and converted it into an English institute. Aside from classrooms and a computer lab, there is also sleeping space on the fourth floor and a full functioning kitchen. There is also a great new park "kiddy-corner" to the Institute.
JaibonJaibon is located half way between the Santiago airport and Monte Crisiti. It is about an hour drive from the Santiago airport. The town is rural with many needs in the community.
Centro para la Ninez
The Jaibon orphanage is located between the towns of Jaibon and Laguna Salada. 20+ boys live at the orphanage in Jaibon. The orphanage feels much like a farm with 28 acres of land in total; there are many opportunities for agricultural projects. There is a school on-site that conducts class for nearly 500 children in the community. The Jaibon orphanage has a basketball court.
Manzanillo
Manzanillo is a small town located directly on the Haiti/Dominican border, on the north coast. It is about an hour past Monte Cristi, three hours from Santiago. Orphanage Outreach has a house at this location, and can currently house about 30 volunteers.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America, but also the poorest. We are currently working in the mountain town of Jinotega. Jinotega is also called the "City of Mists" for the fog and cloud formations usually present in the city. Jinotega is a kilometer above sea level, has a very moderate climate, and is in the center of the Nicaragua coffee growing region.
We are partnering with a local organization operating three pre-school daycares. Children from very poor families attend the day care while their mothers are working or looking for work. Children receive a basic breakfast and lunch, and some educational programming. The program is very under-resourced.
We are partnering with a local organization operating three pre-school daycares. Children from very poor families attend the day care while their mothers are working or looking for work. Children receive a basic breakfast and lunch, and some educational programming. The program is very under-resourced.
Orphanage Outreach program donation covers food, housing, ground transportation, insurance, and professional program leadership!
Orphanage Outreach Facilities
Orphanage Outreach Provides Simple but Adequate Facilities for VolunteersYou'll be sleeping and eating at the orphanage. Orphanage Outreach has constructed good, comfortable, rustic summer camp type accommodations for volunteers. You'll be sleeping on a bunk bed in a sleeping "ramada" - complete with cement floor and tin roof. The walls are constructed of school year fencing, covered by tarps for protection against the wind and possible rain. This "open air" construction provides ventilation during possibly warm weather. You'll be using modern bathrooms, complete with running water, toilets, and showers. But no hot water. We have an excellent, well-trained Dominican cooks preparing our meals. You'll probably gain some weight during your stay! We use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Sleeping Facilities
Sleeping is bunk-house style. Each sleeping ramada has cement floors, a tin room, and walls made of school yard fencing and tarps for increased ventilation. Each bed is furnished with sheets, pillow, blanket, and mosquito net.
Bathrooms
You'll be using modern bathrooms with running water toilets and showers.
Dining Room/Food
You'll be eating in a comfortable dining room, being served buffet style. Food is primarily Dominican, with chicken, beef, rice, beans, salad, fruit, eggplant, plantains, and more. Breakfast's are more American with oatmeal, cereal, pancakes, etc. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are available at most meals.
Transportation
Ground transportation is provided by modern and comfortable buses. Occasionally, you might have the opportunity to drive to the beach in the back of the orphanage truck!