Frequently Asked Questions

1) WHO IS QUALIFIED TO PARTICIPATE?
A qualified volunteer must be able to commit to a five-week summer program or a ten-month academic year. Applicants must be at least 18 years old for the summer camp. For the year-long program, DREAM recommends volunteers be at least 21 years old, but will make exceptions. At least a basic understanding of Spanish is preferred.

2) HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply, download and fill out the volunteer application and send with a $35 processing fee (this includes applicants who are applying for the fellowship) and three references to:

The DREAM Project

PO Box 4136

Ithaca, NY 14852.

3) IS THERE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR VOLUNTEERS?
The DREAM Project does have a limited fellowship fund to alleviate some of the living expenses for volunteers who qualify. If you do not receive our scholarship funding, you will have to support yourself while living in our communities. However, we do encourage most of our volunteers to seek outside donors, grants, and fellowships to sponsor their work. For example, the Tucker Foundation at Dartmouth College offers scholarships to Dartmouth students.

4) WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR THE VOLUNTEER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM & HOW DO I APPLY?
The fellowship program allows individual donors to sponsor a volunteer. Fellowships are allotted to applicants who are fluent in Spanish and English, can commit to a one-year post, and demonstrate financial need. To apply for a fellowship, applicants should include with their application a brief one page letter, which demonstrates financial need and highlights specific qualifications for the program. DREAM also asks the applicant to specify the amount of money requested in the letter, as well as limit the request to what would be necessary for participation. See our Fellowship Program for more information.

5) ARE MEALS OR HOUSING PROVIDED FOR THE VOLUNTEERS?
For volunteers who pay the program fee, accommodations are provided along with a stipend given to them from from their fee to cover meals. Fellowship volunteers will also receive a monthly stipend, which is managed independently. The DREAM Project will make housing arrangements. Volunteers will be asked to find meals and a lifestyle that best fits their stipend.

6) CAN I VOLUNTEER OVER THE SUMMER/WINTER BREAK?

Volunteers who wish to come over the summer are welcome to participate in the five-week Guzman Ariza Summer Camp. However, due to schools being closed during winter and spring breaks and the ineffectiveness of volunteers who can only stay for short periods of time, we only accept volunteers during the academic year for ten-month positions.

7) IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM STAY?

There is a minimum stay of five weeks for the summer and ten months for the academic year, but you may stay as long as you wish!

8) CAN I HELP FROM OUTSIDE THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?

Yes you can! Currently, we are looking for assistance in translating, fundraising and website management. Email volunteer@dominicandream.org for more information.

9) DO YOU HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH?

Yes. You do not have to be fluent, but a strong knowledge base is required. However, if your language skills need improving, you may also participate in an immersion program here in the DR before you begin volunteering.

10) HOW CAN I GET IN CONTACT WITH A PAST VOLUNTEER?

Please visit our Meet our Volunteers Page for contact information.

11) WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO AND WHAT AIRLINES FLY THERE??
The closest airport to Cabarete is in Puerto Plata (airport code POP) which is about a thirty-minute drive from Cabarete.  American, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest and Continental airlines offer routes from the U.S. to Puerto Plata.  Cheaper fares may sometimes be found flying into Santiago or Santo Domingo, but volunteers are reminded to factor in the cost of cab fare to Cabarete which averages around $70-$80 from Santiago and $100-$150 from Santo Domingo.  Please note: the DREAM Project only arranges pick-ups at the Puerto Plata Airport.

12) HOW DOES A CLASSROOM IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COMPARE TO A US CLASSROOM?
For volunteers familiar with well-run U.S. schools, the contrast with a typical Dominican public school can often be quite dramatic. For example: there is often not enough desks for all the students, classrooms tend to be louder because of poor acoustics and the vicinity of classrooms, classrooms tend to be severely overcrowded, the preferred teaching method is for the students to simply copy from the chalkboard, children do not usually go to school when it rains, children only attend half-day school sessions, teachers often leave classrooms unattended for extended periods of time, and in general there is not as much order as a classroom in the U.S. This is why we - and the children - need your help!