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Release the Hero WithinVolunteers and donors are making a tremendous difference in the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. We look at this as Releasing the Hero Within the children our volunteers and donors! -
College ProgramsEach year hundreds of college students make a tremendous impact in the lives of many children! We invite all majors and minors to get involved."This summer's trip was my third visit to Esperanza; each time has been more meaningful than the last, and each time it gets harder and harder to leave. To say that this experience has changed my life is a gross understatement, for the boys of the Good Samaritan Orphanage have become a part of me. They have taught me so much more than I could ever hope to give them in return."
Amanda Thompson
Georgetown University -
High School ProgramsEach year hundreds of college students make a tremendous impact in the lives of many children! We invite all majors and minors to get involved."Don’t worry. Just come and you’ll never regret it. It is SUPER-DUPER!"
Carissa Tong
St. John's-Ravenscourt School -
Christian MissionsOrphanage Outreach invites you to join us for a short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We have many opportunities to work with the churches and communities of the northwestern part of the Dominican Republic. You are invited to join us any week of the year. Individuals, couples, families, and church teams are invited to join us."Go! Share your love, though you will receive much more in return. Give your heart recognizing that you'll leave part of it in the Dominican Republic but that it will still be bigger when you return home."
Robert Wright
Roscoe United Methodist Church -
Health Corps ProfessionalsOrphanage Outreach is an American non-profit organization that has been working in the northwest part of the Dominican Republic since 1994. Over 8000 international volunteers have joined us since 1994, with the majority of focus being on education. Originally focused solely on the local orphanages, thanks to volunteer growth the focus has expanded to include additional needs in the community. One area of true need is health education and treatment."Working with Orphanage Outreach was one of the best service opportunities in which I have participated. It was a terrific opportunity to see the poverty and need that exists in other countries and have a chance to help make things a little better. I would highly recommend this program to anyone else."
Zachary McCarty
UAB-School of Optometry -
Familiy VolunteeringAn Orphanage Outreach trip is a great experience to share with your family. We encourage families to join us any week of the year to make a big impact in the lives of many children."This trip was better for my six year old son than 10 trips to Disneyland."
Timothy Rosio -
Individual VolunteersEach year many volunteers travel with us solo. You don't need to have a team to make a big difference!"When we got there, all those kids wanted was a hand to hold or a leg to grab onto. It was obvious from day one that these kids needed our attention more than any English practice. By loving these kids and putting smiles on their faces, regardless of language barriers, you've already completed the mission of Orphanage Outreach."
Martin Schubert
Georgetown University
Orphanage Outreach Project Green Fund
Project Green is a program to help the orphanages become more self sufficient in the areas of energy, water, and food:
Energy
Electricity is expensive in the Dominican Republic, about twice that of the states. And it is unreliable, going off for several hours every day. To reduce the demand for electricity, we have replaced all light bulbs with low-energy bulbs, installed timers on light switches, and replaced high energy usage refrigerators with solar powered low wattage refrigerators and freezers. We have also installed a 1.1 kw wind turbine. Additional solar panels and batteries are needed to remove the orphanage from the electric grid.
Water
There are many roofs at the orphanage; a rain water collection system would reduce the demand on the local water system.
Food
Dominican Republic is great for food production. There is much that could be done to improve the production of the current garden, and to expand it.
Environmental Education
Orphanage Outreach volunteers are teaching environmental classes in local Dominican grade schools. This program can be expanded with additional volunteers and funds.
Funds are needed to implement these plans. We invite you to donate below. For more information, please contact Orphanage Outreach Executive Director Tom Eklund at 602-375-2900.