"Global Citizenship: Service Learning in the Dominican Republic"
June 15-29, 2007

Mission

This trip for high school students and teachers affiliated with the International High School Initiative was organized by Karen Hewitt, Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Global Studies.The program itinerary and service projects were developed through contact with researchers workign with the community at Batey Libertad and with service organizations in the Dominican Republic. This service-learning trip involved on community improvement projects at Batey Libertad in the Cibao region of the Dominican Republic. Batey Libertad is situated on a little chunk of government land surrounded by private land and rice fields, home to about 1000 Dominicans and Haitians who often have limited access to healthcare and social services. Most of the community live in tin shacks with no running water or sewage system and erratic electricity. It was here where the trip participants chose to complete projects related to global studies and sustainable development. Students and teachers assisted with buildign a replacement house for a family that lived in a shack made of recycled tin signs and siding. Groups also assisted with other construction projects, tree planting, garbage collection, community gardening, and the small enterprises there. Participants also traveled to Santo Domingo, Finca Alta Gracia, and Puerto Carabete, meeting representatives of PLAN International, The DREAM Project and the Peace Corps. They also received oral lessons in useful phrases in Spanish and Haitian Kreyole. During the trip, students also maintained a blog about their experiences and filmed a documentary of the daily activities and community members. The tour was offered by the CGS/International High School Initiative and CIBER with financial support from Civic Engagement Task Force Grant.

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