This versatile experience and observation program gives insight into all aspects of running the Aldeas de Paz Foundation. This program is focused on those who are interested in starting their own charity or want hands-on experience in working in an NGO. Volunteers and interns observe and assist the coordinator with office work, as well as in-community project support, administrative work and the coordination and supervision of community programs. The NGO volunteers/interns also help ensure the well-being of our volunteers and their full integration into various programs offered, as well as into the social life of the community. The foundation relies on NGO volunteers/interns to ensure smooth operations and therefore requires flexible volunteers. Direct work with our primary beneficiaries is an essential part of the work of Aldeas de Paz, so the NGO volunteers/interns are also expected to participate in foundation-wide events and activities involving our beneficiaries.
What to expect
The NGO Administration volunteers & interns observe and assist the Coordinator with office work, as well as in-community project support and administrative work and the coordination and supervision of community programs. The NGO Management volunteer/intern will furthermore help to ensure the wellbeing of our volunteers and their full integration into various programs offered, as well as into the social life in Samaná.
No previous experience or special skills are required. A typical NGO administration and management volunteer and intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and has to have a desire to take initiative in coordinating a group of volunteers and daily tasks. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. The ideal volunteer would have a passion for development aid, some experience in international volunteering and a desire to help other volunteers to have a great stay with us. Activities that a volunteer can participate in are entirely dependent on motivation and previous experience. Staff and other volunteers will support the participant. Basic conversational Spanish is very helpful for some activities but even without knowledge of the Spanish language, there is lots of work to do. To enable deeper integration into the community we provide free Spanish classes on a weekly basis, full support and 24/7 backup. We ask you to bring your laptop as well as a pen drive with you as flexibility regarding your working environment is necessary.
Volunteer Placement or Internship
Most of our participants join as volunteers and are free to commit from between 10 to 40 hours per week. That's up to you! As an intern, however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Please inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also tell us about your personal expectations and goals and we will see how we can help you achieve them.
Financial Contribution & Benefits
Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The calculation of your financial contribution or donation is set up so that the longer you stay the less you give per week. We do this to encourage longer stays, recognizing that longer stays lead to more significant volunteer work and more energy contributed in the form of donated time in place of money! The minimum contribution starts at €140 per week and includes Spanish language classes, double room at one of our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location in Las Terrenas or Samana. If you wish a single room upgrade add €50 per week and an all in Host Family homestay upgrade is €150 per week, including a private bedroom and two meals per day. For more information about costs and benefits check out our webpage.
What is included
Welcome Service at the airport and transport to your placement location
Volunteer or Internship placement
Accommodation of your choice
Placement introduction, training, supervision, briefings and meetings
Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
Free Wifi and use of washing machine at all our facilities
Certificate, written reference and student credit
Information about adventure packages
Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
Activities can include but are not limited to
Assisting with the coordination of volunteers, including conducting meetings
Supporting the day-to-day running of the NGO and attending meetings with local actors, authorities and community members
Shadowing the director/coordinator in general administration and day-to-day tasks
Working in financial accountability tasks such as financial planning and budgeting
Attending frequent operational meetings to discuss events at the foundation
Participating in and remaining informed of all the foundation’s programs
Assisting with updating social networks and the webpage
Helping promote our cause online and practicing fundraising through social media and grant writing
Assisting board meetings, taking useful meeting minutes and preparing reports
Assisting with editing our monthly newsletter
Helping with editing information and job descriptions and assisting with updating listing opportunities and forwarding updated information to our international sending agents
Activities for advanced Spanish speakers
Working on public relation projects designed to mobilize community support. These include, but are not limited to: radio broadcasts, participating in neighbourhood council meetings, writing bulletins/columns, organizing community projects, working with locals to find new volunteer opportunities, translate newsletters and website information into Spanish.
Samana is the name of both the peninsula and its biggest town, as well as the bay to the south located in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic. It is a dramatically beautiful peninsula, like an island unto itself, of coconut trees stretching into the sea.
The town of Samana is a scenic, beautiful and peaceful port, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music. The newly renovated Malecon (seaside promenade) of two kilometers length is perfect for strolling by day and night. It is the perfect place to while away the evening in a relaxing atmosphere in one of the many surrounding restaurants and bars. Hundreds of fantastic beaches surround the peninsula of Samana, which can be explored during a day trip or for the whole weekend.
Las Galeras y El Rincon: A small fisherman's town with beautiful beaches surrounded by nature. Travel by Bus (45 minutes / US$ 2,-)
El Limón: Famous waterfall and swimming. Travel by Bus (20 minutes / US$ 1,50,-)
Cayo Levantado: Small Island with beautiful beaches just of the coastline in Samana. Travel by Boat (15 minutes / US$ 2,-)
Parque National de los Haiteses: Park made of mangroves, caves with ancient paintings and beautiful bays with pristine beaches. Magnificent limestone caves to explore. Travel by Boat 60 minutes / US$ 10,-
Playa El Valle: A small fisherman's settlement with a beautiful beach surrounded by pristine nature. Travel by Moto Concho (MotoTaxi) (20 Minutes / US$ 3,-)
There are famous Kitesurf beaches in Las Terrenas and Cabarete only an hour from Samana! The whole Peninsula of Samana is a Wild and precious natural gem! People are extremely friendly and the nature is gorgeous! From mid-January to late March the bay is home to to some of the world's best whale-watching.
Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The calculation of your financial contribution or donation is set up so that the longer you stay the less you give per week. We do this to encourage longer stays, recognizing that longer stays lead to more significant volunteer work and more energy contributed in the form of donated time in place of money!
What is included
Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in the Dominican Republic. On arrival at the airport you will be welcome by our english speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquillity. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to Samana, your placement location. Travel-time on the bus is two hours only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.
The Foundation’s popular volunteer guesthouse apartments are located in the center of the seaside towns of Samaná and las Terrenas, both scenic, laid back and peaceful towns, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music.
Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments are extremely conveniently located only a few minutes from school or the hospital, the village center and to the beaches and the Malecon, the gorgeous seaside walking promenade, where you will find a lot of restaurants, bars and shops. The villages and their surroundings are very safe and our apartments in Samana and Las Terrenas have lovely neighbours who constantly look after us. All important locations are only minutes away and it’s safe to walk at night. A shared room with two beds is the standard option. Upgrades are available for single room occupancy. Free wifi and use of a washing machine is, of course, is standard at all Aldeas de Paz facilities.
All our apartments are fully furnished and have WIFI and washing machine
Living together with volunteers from all over the world is a unique chance for cultural exchange and can be an exciting and new way of living compared to anything you’ve ever experienced before. It has certainly been a key experience in the lives of many past volunteers! Volunteers work and live together and learn how to be empathetic and considerate of others’ needs. They share their free time, house cleaning tasks and cooking (optional). It means they also become close, develop lifelong friendships and have immense fun along the way! We feel that it is important to highlight that we have created an environment of respect and consideration. If you wish a single room upgrade add €40 per week and an all in Host Family homestay upgrade is €145 per week, including a private bedroom and two meals per day.
Placement Locations
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation headquarters is in Samana, which is located on the North-East of the Dominican Republic, at the heart of the peninsula of Samana. This provinicial capital with 15000 inhabitants is a very peaceful and safe town. Samana is constituted by a community with a strong sense of social responsibility. The people themselves consider the town very safe, there is no more crime here than in an any average small European town. The Dominican Republics countryside as a whole is very peaceful, and certainly one of the safest regions in the caribbean.
Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their stay in the Dominican Republic. On your way to Santa Barbara de Samana you will most likely fly into Las Americas airport near Santo Domingo, where we have established a great cooperation with a very personal welcome service for our incoming volunteers! Your driver will help you personally and thoroughly during your transit from the airport Las Americas to the bus terminal which is only 10 minutes away, therefore granting you peace of mind and tranquillity during your travel. The driver will assist you with purchasing your bus ticket and bring you to the bus terminal where you will catch the direct and comfortable bus to Samana, the last stop on the route. Travel-time on the bus is two hours only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.
Time Commitment
A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required.
NGO Management and Administration
This versatile experience and observation program is perfect for those wanting to learn more about how a small grass-root NGO is managed and operated.
$351/week
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