¡Estamos juntos!
We are DREAM Global Connection Groups
Global Connection Groups
The DREAM Project customizes cultural exchange and service-learning trips to ensure our local communities receive the support they need. Additionally, DREAM’s Global Connection Groups empower international volunteers and enhance their understanding of global citizenship.
Our trained and certified local guides will match your group with a community project that incorporates your goals, skills and desired experiences to create an unforgettable connection.
The Current Situation
Communities and public schools in the Dominican Republic, especially in rural areas, do not receive the same amount of attention as their counterparts in Latin America. Very often, both infrastructure and innovative programs, like visual arts, environmental awareness and English as a Second Language (ESL), are not available to thousands of children and youth.
There is a real lack of resources, materials and age appropriate story books to provide a quality integrated education.
Our Solution
The DREAM Project customizes global connection and experiential-learning trips to collaborate with local communities, contribute much-needed resources and learn about new cultures. Our trained and certified local guides match Global Connection Groups with community-based projects that offer high-impact experiences that meet community needs and create an unforgettable experience.
We take care of each and every aspect of your visit, so you can focus on the task at hand and not complicated logistics.
Our Impact
We work with more than 3,000 Dominican children and youth each year through Global Connection Groups and change the lives of more than 500 visiting youth. We accomplish this through DREAM Mini Camps; beautification projects; educational material donations; and workshops in visual arts, sexual education, responsible decision-making, ESL, speech therapy and sports in collaboration with our partner communities.
We also give back by working exclusively with community-based vendors, investing more than US$300,000 annually into our partner communities.
Testimony
Nicki Fleischner, Director, Camp Scatico
“A Global Connections service trip with DREAM has been an integral part of Camp Scatico's summer for over 6 years, and we cannot imagine a more meaningful, impactful, thoughtful and fun experience. It is something our teens talk about year-round and is the highlight of their summer. DREAM's Global Connection trips are a perfect balance of direct, hands-on, service work and exploring the beautiful culture, sights and sounds of the Dominican Republic. And DREAM is a remarkable partner. They not only listen to the needs of your group, and tailor an experience that makes sense for you, but also push you to be intentional and center the needs of their community. DREAM's rootedness in the communities they serve goes beyond deep ties and intimate knowledge – they are part of the fabric of these communities, and this is evidenced in every aspect of the Global Connections experience. The DREAM team is there to guide you and not just answer but anticipate concerns and questions through every step of the process. They have impeccable standards when it comes to communication and safety. Through their Global Connections service trips, you truly get to feel part of the DREAM family – and it's a wonderful family to be in!”
How much does it cost?
8 students
Groups must have a minimum of eight students, with at least one chaperone per eight students.
$165/day
The minimum per-person cost for a trip is $165/day, which includes airport pickup from the Puerto Plata Airport (we also do transport from other airports), local guides, food and water, accommodations, transportation, communication and logistics and fees for some activities and excursions. Additional fees apply for additional excursions.
How do we organize your Global Connection Groups?
All-in service
DREAM offers all-in service projects. As a non-profit organization, we can leverage local vendors and businesses to create the best packages for our visiting volunteers. DREAM has a daily presence in local communities, providing quality education programs and ensuring that program costs go directly to those in need. The concept behind these trips is to make our partners’ lives as easy and inexpensive as possible, so we can focus on the work at hand.
Flexibility
Project options range from basic academic workshops to sophisticated community-based studies, all customized to the skill sets of visiting groups. DREAM also provides more labor-intensive projects that include building and painting alongside local community members, enriching the experience even more. We have very close relationships with more than 17 programs in 27 different communities, providing hundreds of options.
Contact us
info@dominicandream.org
(809) 571-0497