DREAM

I am here in Cabarete as a volunteer at the DREAM Center Summer Camp. DREAM (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring) is a nonprofit organization that was created to address the neglected education system in the DR. Eco-tourists in the 1990s returned with Dartmouth students to build a school, but they found that a school would not be enough to make an impact. They started DREAM, a series of preschools, after-school programs, and summer camps that not only bring education to more kids but train teachers in the DR. I have learned so much about the state of education here and the depth of the problems, and I really believe that DREAM is making a difference.

The summer camp brings 240 kids to two separate camps near Cabarete. One is at DREAM Center and one is in the town next door, La Cienaga. The camps are staffed by 30 volunteer counselors and 20 local Dominican counselors as well as 15 local teachers and 10 international professional development coaches to teach with the teachers. The "Summer Camp" is actually a 4-week school program. Kids attend 7 classes a day (math, reading, writing, sports/HIV education, science, art, swimming) with a 3-to-1 staff-to-student ratio. There are more rules in the school program than the kids are used to, but nevertheless they love "camp" and look forward to it every year.

As an international volunteer staff member, I am staying at the Hummingbird Hotel down the road from DREAM Center. The hotel has apartments and studios, all of which are occupied by other international volunteers. Volunteers pay a fee and cover their own expenses for the trip, and this pays for the local children to attend the camp. Because of the positive impact that DREAM has made on the community of Cabarete and other areas in the DR, visiting DREAM volunteers receive discounts at many local businesses as well as a better exchange rate for Dominican pesos. I feel very safe here as a volunteer, as I know that I am becoming a familiar face rather than just an American tourist.

After orientation and getting to know the staff, I am so excited for camp to begin on Monday! It's going to be hot, humid, and hectic, but definitely worthwhile. I will have 14 girls and 10 boys aged 9-11 with an intermediate reading level. I cannot wait to know each and every one of them and see them grow over the next month.

For more information about DREAM, visit www.dominicandream.org