Retirement Volunteering

The mission of Orphanage Outreach - Teach Corps is to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. One way in which we meet this need is through education. As a long term volunteer you can expect to be involved in many activities which include the following:

• Teaching English at the Teach Corps English Institute. Including responsibilities for planning, developing and presenting organized learning opportunities for students.
• Providing educational opportunities to local schools.
• Leading short-term volunteer groups in a school setting.
• Spanish language learning opportunities.

Overview
Orphanage Outreach has opportunities for you to teach basic English to 5th - 8th graders this winter. You'll be teaching at the Orphanage Outreach English Institute in Monte Cristi. No teaching experience necessary, you'll be using the well documented Side by Side english teaching curriculum.

Learning English will provide children with signficantly increased educational and job opportunities. Our vision is that each graduating senior in Monte Cristi will be able to speak English. Help make this vision a reality!

Location
Monte Cristi is a sleepy coastal town far from the Dominican tourist areas. Rich in history, it is the location of the signing of the Cuban declaration of independence, the manifesto of Monte Cristi. And the clock tower, designed by Eiffel, was purchased from France in 1895.

Accommodations
You'll be staying in simple but comfortable Orphanage Outreach accommodations, eat buffet style meals, and enjoy modern toilets and showers.

Leadership
You will be supported by a number of full time American and Canadian Team Leaders and Program Leaders living at your same location.

Program Fee
The program fee for a volunteer joining us for four months or longer is just $1000/month, tax deductible for U.S. tax payers. The program fee is somewhat more per month for volunteers joining us for a shorter period of time. Airfare is not included. Your program fee covers your housing, meals, ground transportation, and traveler's medical insurance. Not covered is your $10 fee to enter the country and your exit fee, snacks, personal shopping, etc.

Phone and Internet
The phone and internet will be available to you on the weekends; emergency phone service is available 24/7.

"This trip was one of the most wonderful growth experiences I have had in my 56 years of life. It was a lesson in the power of the human spirit, the magic of the things in life, and the ability of love to destroy any language or cultural barriers. It was an honor to meet and learn from these amazing children."
Roberta Mitchell, Winnipeg, Canada

 

Preparation

Previous teaching experience is not required to teach with Teach Corp. We do ask that you bring creativity and a willingness to make learning English fun and interactive. We are currently using an English curriculum called "Side-by-Side." There is both a textbook and workbook to help guide you in your instruction.

Although it is not a requirement to begin an internship with us, we encourage you to obtain your TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. If you do, we will reimburse you $190. To be eligible for the $190 reimbursement, you must:

• Sign-up for an Orphanage Outreach Internship.
• Sign-up for and complete the TESOL Certification Course prior to beginning your internship.
• After receiving your certification, you will receive reimbursement after your volunteer program fee is received by Orphanage Outreach.

To make it as easy as possible, there is an online certification program that we recommend. "International TESOL Teacher Training provides a wide variety of practical, high quality online TESOL courses and online TESOL Certification." The online training consists of 20 units (approximately 100 hours), and gives you the flexibility to work at your own pace. The online training can be found at http://www.tesolonline.com

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"Teaching long term here in Monte Cristi has definitely been a most rewarding experience for me. My time here has given me the confidence and experience I need to walk into and teach in any classroom."
-Nina Jacob, Rutgers University

"This trip was life changing and eye opening, I loved teaching the children and seeing their faces light up with laughter."
-Chantel Lafond, Western New England College

"The entire experience�meeting the staff, teaching these students, living life for each breath�was an amazing reward that I will cherish forever and would recommend to anyone who wants to make a difference."
-Alan Dove, Saginaw Valley State University

Other Internship Opportunities

A goal of Orphanage Outreach is to allow volunteers to use their special skills while making a difference. If you have a skill such as music, art, etc. please contact us to see how your skills can fit in!

For more information, please contact Orphanage Outreach Executive Director at 602-375-2900.

"This trip was one of the most wonderful growth experiences I have had in my 56 years of life. It was a lesson in the power of the human spirit, the magic of the things in life, and the ability of love to destroy any language or cultural barriers. It was an honor to meet and learn from these amazing children."
Roberta Mitchell, Canada