Childhood Development |🇩🇴 VOLUNTEER CARIBBEAN 2024/25

Assist early childhood development education in disadvantaged communities

Make a difference in children’s lives at a Samana daycare center in early childhood development!

Enjoy a rewarding experience guiding and interacting with children in this voluntary role. As a volunteer, you’ll assist daycare supervisors, teachers, or caretakers with various duties. The main goal is to support early childhood development (ECD), encompassing physical, psychological, cognitive, and social growth from birth to school-going age.

The 6 principles of early childhood development

Emotional and Social Development, Language Skills Development, Cognitive Skills Development, Physical Development, Motor Skill Development, and Self-Help Development.

ECD emphasizes learning through play: inspired by Jean Piaget’s research and philosophy. Play fulfills children’s physical, intellectual, language, emotional, and social needs, leading to efficient learning and cognitive development through activities like dramatic play, art, and social games.

Early childhood development (ECD) has the potential to bridge the educational achievement gap between low and high-income students before formal schooling. (Children from low socioeconomic backgrounds often start school already behind their higher SES peers; by age three, high SES children have three times more words in their vocabularies than low SES children.)

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Program Activities you are welcome to join!

Early childhood development (ECD) Volunteering/Internship activities can include but are not limited to

Assist with age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, reading, writing, dancing, singing, playing games
Take care of children and assisting the local staff in everyday activities
Help monitoring children to ensure they remain safe as they go about their activities
Research, plan and prepare educational, development and care-related activities
Assist stock supplies and help with cleanup of school rooms or play areas
Help staff during meal times and assist toddlers and preschoolers
Engage children in interactive activities and read books to them
Engage the children in whatever activity or skill you posses, such as dancing, singing, painting.

No prior experience or special skills required, but basic Spanish language skills are helpful. Enthusiasm, self-reliance, patience, and an open mind are essential. Experienced volunteers in teaching, working with children, or diverse challenges are encouraged to apply. Individuals, families, and groups of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. We offer free Spanish classes, full support, and 24/7 backup. An ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused, patient, and can work autonomously with our supervision. Feel free to bring arts & crafts materials. Join us in making a positive impact!

Volunteer Placement or Internship: Our program offers flexible commitment options for volunteers, ranging from 20 to 40 hours per week – you decide! If you’re joining as an intern, we understand that your school or university may have specific requirements. Please inform us in advance about your internship criteria, enabling us to tailor a personalized work plan to suit your needs. Share your expectations and goals with us, and we’ll work together to ensure you achieve them. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required

Availability: This program is ongoing throughout the whole year. During summer holidays we offer summercamp activities and also need volunteers. Last week of December and first week of January are christmas holidays!

Placement Location : Samana

Experience flexible working hours, allowing you to assist either half or full days and unwind at the stunning palm-fringed beaches!

The volunteer schedule typically runs from Monday to Friday, requiring a minimum commitment of 4 hours daily, with the option for full-day participation.

Expect to play a vital role in providing love, care, and attention to children as a volunteer. Mentor them, offer affection, and organize activities to support local staff. The schedule is Monday to Friday, 4-5 hours daily with flexible hours occasionally. Your dedication at the daycare center will profoundly impact the children’s lives. While the role demands commitment, it’s fulfilling if you enjoy interacting with children and guiding their growth.

Program adapts to community needs and volunteers availabilities. You can specialize, but might do various activities. Encouraged to bring ideas and initiatives for skill development. Join Aldeas de Paz for a rewarding volunteering experience, making a positive impact and enhancing your skills.

HOLIDAYS: from from June 14 until August 30, 2024 as well as during Christmas Holidays from December 16 until January 06, 2025.

ATTENTION: Volunteers are welcome to help out at our traditional Summer Camp from July 01 until July 26 at our attention center in Samana and also stay at our Volunteer Guesthouse during Dominican Christmas and new year holidays! Even though working and business life comes to a halt through this two week period when the whole country is celebrating Christmas, our volunteers are welcome to celebrate Christmas and new year together with us and the Dominican people!

COSTS & BENEFITS: At Aldeas de Paz, we prioritize affordability and financial transparency through our open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at just €155 per week (after the second week). This comprehensive package includes Spanish language classes, comfortable accommodation in fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a dedicated program donation, personal welcome service, airport pick-up, bus transfer, bus fare, and a free transfer to your placement location.

SPECIAL OFFER: Enjoy free Spanish language classes for volunteers and interns, emphasizing practical communication skills. Develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities naturally, similar to learning one’s mother tongue. From day one, you’ll use Spanish in real-life situations with role-plays, situational dialogues, and work projects complementing the basic syllabus. Beyond the classroom, immerse yourself in the Spanish language and Dominican culture for a continuous learning experience.

No prior experience or special skills required

Basic Spanish skills are very helpful but there are many activities where little Spanish is needed and even beginners can be involved with meaningful work. Additionally we offer free Spanish language classes on a regular basis. Enthusiasm, self-reliance, patience, and an open mind are essential. Experienced volunteers in teaching, working with children, or diverse challenges are encouraged to apply. Individuals, families, and groups of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. We offer full support, and 24/7 backup. An ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused, patient, and can work autonomously with our supervision. Feel free to bring arts & crafts materials. Join us in making a positive impact!

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required

Placement Location : Samana

Important:
Each traveler to the Dominican Republic is required to fulfill correctly the information on the electronic ticket for the General Directorate of Migration. After entering the data, you will receive a QR code that has to be presented already at the airline check-in. Please click here before you take your flight: eticket.migracion.gob.do

Transparency and Fairness in all our Operations

Half of your donation directly supports our impactful charity programs, while the other half is dedicated to caring for our volunteers, who become our esteemed guests.  We provide comprehensive hosting, skill and language training, along with continuous guidance and care throughout their placement.

We emphasizes the allocation of donated funds for a dual purpose; supporting charity programs and ensuring the welfare of volunteers. By dividing the donation in half, the organization demonstrates transparency and fairness in its operations. The first portion goes towards funding and enhancing their charitable initiatives, enabling them to make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve. The second half is devoted to supporting and appreciating the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to the cause. By treating them as guests, the organization emphasizes the importance of their role and offers valuable support, including hosting, training, and guidance. This approach fosters a positive and harmonious relationship between the organization and its volunteers, ensuring a meaningful and rewarding experience for both parties..

included with your donation:  
• Airport welcome service & transfer to your placement location
• Fully equipped Accommodation
• Free WiFi & access to washing machine
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Placement introduction, certificate & student credit
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Left row shows the lowest donation requirement incl. shared accommodation

shared room apartment accommodation
– standard –

	Weeks	Total
	2	€ 1250
	3	€ 1405
	4	€ 1560
	5	€ 1715
	6	€ 1870
	7	€ 2025
	8	€ 2180
	9	€ 2335
	10	€ 2490
	11	€ 2645
	12	€ 2800
	13	€ 2955

extra week €155

single room apartment accommodation
– upgrade –

	Weeks	Total
	2	€ 1430
	3	€ 1675
	4	€ 1920
	5	€ 2165
	6	€ 2410
	7	€ 2655
	8	€ 2900
	9	€3145
	10	€ 3390
	11	€ 3635
	12	€ 3880
	13	€ 4125

extra week €245

host family home stay inclsingle room & 2 meals)
– upgrade –

	Weeks	Total
	2	€ 1610
	3	€ 1945
	4	€ 2280
	5	€ 2615
	6	€ 2950
	7	€ 3285
	8	€ 3620
	9	€ 3955
	10	€ 4290
	11	€ 4625
	12	€ 4960
	13	€ 5295

extra week €335

Apply here (non-binding)

Create your own project!

In addition to our established community activities and programs, volunteers are welcome to develop new
projects with the financial and organizational support of our charity. In the past, there have been projects like environmental awareness programs or sports activities for the local children provided by the volunteers.

how to create your own