Why OO?

Why Volunteer with Orphanage Outreach/Mission

Professional/ Experienced Since 1994, over 5000 volunteers have joined Orphanage Outreach in the Dominican Republic. Inidividual volunteers from over 100 schools and churches have paticipated, as have organized teams from many colleges and universities, high schools, and churches. We work hard to make sure your basic logistical needs are taken care of. As an individual volunteer or group leader, we don't want you to have to focus on where you next shower, meal, or bus ride will come from.We want you to focus on what you are there for, to make a difference with the Dominican people.	People Focused At Orphanage Outreach, we don't expect you to dig a latrine, pound a nail, or pour cement. Unless you want to! Instead, we ask you to use the unique skills you have as an international volunteer--teaching English, math, science, reading, art, music, computers, gardening, and more. We ask you to focus on the people of the Dominican Republic; you'll develop some great relationships! Flexible We need you to volunteer with Orphanage Outreach. Whether you are six years old or sixty; can volunteer for one week or twenty weeks, join us as an individual or with a group, prefer a Christian team or a non-religious team, we have a volunteer program that will fit you.
Safe The Dominican Republic is a friendly and safe country. You live and work on-site at the orphanage in Orphanage Outreach facilities, not in a hotel room or risky home stay. Professional American and Canadian Team Leaders live full time at the orphanage to lead your group. We have never had an instance of a volunteer's personal safety being threatened.
Effective/Focused Orphanage Outreach volunteers use their unique skills and talents to make a real difference at the orphanage, in the local schools, and in the community. Much more than just a "feel good" volunteer experience, Orphanage Outreach volunteers are truly helping to transform lives.

Mission: To provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. The mission of Orphanage Outreach is to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children. Certainly the children who live at the orphanage are a focus of ours, but all the children of Monte Cristi are disadvantaged in some way. The economics of the town are very poor, the children only go to school for half a day, and there are minimal extracurricular activities for the children to participate in. Our volunteer program is the heart of Orphanage Outreach. Volunteers focus on areas where they can truly make a difference. Volunteers tutor children at the orphanage, working with them in reading, math, art, science, and more. Volunteers teach English in the local schools, and in a special Orphanage Outreach program for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders. Our goal is that all graduating seniors in Monte Cristi can speak English. Knowing English can provide significant educational and career opportunities. During the summer, we offer a variety of camps - sports camp, vacation bible school, English immersion, etc. We also have a summer week designated toward construction, and a week designated for medical and dental teams.	Orphanage Tutoring Many of the orphanage children are behind in their studies, because of their background. Some children have aspirations to attend college, which means they will need additional tutoring. Interns and long term volunteers are especially needed to volunteer in this area. English Education The majority of our volunteer effort is teaching English. All of our volunteers are uniquely skilled in this area, and there is a huge demand for learning English in the Dominican Republic. Unfortunately, there are very few teachers. Short term volunteers typically teach in the local schools; longer term volunteers are needed to teach 5th, 6th, and 7th graders in the Orphanage Outreach English School. Summer Camps During the summer we host camps including Christian Sports Camp, Vacation Bible School, English Immersion Camp, and Baseball Camp. It's a great time for the kids to have fun, and also learn. Construction Construction projects are available for teams who want to take this on throughtout the year. In addition, we focus on one week in the summer for teams to be involved in construction work. Health/Dental There is a large need for health and dental teams in the Monte Cristi area. Opportunities are available throughtout the year for a team of medical or dental professionals; e specifically set aside one week during the summer to focus on medical/dental.