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Photo of the Day
Dr. Janet Sprague from Michigan came down with Health Corps and did general physicals on the kids at the orphanage in Montecristi. Here she is with Jochi, age 15.
Featured Volunteer
Joshua Johnson
Remus, MI
"Orphanage Outreach has changed my life. Seeing the way that they can change the living conditions and create opportunities for a a group of kids who have very little is an experience that creates growth and character for the kids as well as the volunteers."
Our Mission
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 in many Dominican communities are disadvantaged in some way. The economics of many towns 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.
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.