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Women's Conference in the Dominican Republic

REGISTRATION CLOSED

SOS ladies are headed to a Women's Leadership Conference in the Dominican Republic, to see what we can do to improve the lives of girls and women everywhere in the world.
Tour Details
Departure City: San Antonio 
Trip Leader: Ms. Bianca Pitman - bianca@sossanantonio.org

Trip Dates: June 20-29, 2019
Duration: 8 Days
Overnights: Sosua 3, Samana 1, Santo Domingo 3

Learning Objectives:
  • Students will spend a day in the life of a leader in their Dominican community and engage in a thoughtful examination of her skills and attributes.
  • Students will have the opportunity to compare their daily lives with local youth group members and develop a greater understanding of their similarities and differences.
  • Students will explore the challenges faced by those living in some of the Dominican's most vulnerable communities and how leaders of organizations such as MUDHA are working to help improve the situation.

Itinerary:
This is a preliminary itinerary for your group subject to change.
Jun 20, 2019
 Sosua
Depart from the USA and arrive in the Dominican Republic for your Women’s Leadership Program. Meet your Tour Manager at the airport in Santiago and transfer to Sosua to check into your oceanfront hotel before a welcome orientation and dinner. All meals are included during your tour. (D)
Jun 21, 2019 Sosua
Start off the day with breakfast at the hotel and perhaps a walk, run or swim at the beach. Then begin your first leadership workshop with Catherine DeLaura, Executive Director of the Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring Project (DREAM). DREAM grew from the vision of a group of Dartmouth students looking to make a difference in 1995, and was formally established as a 501(c) nonprofit in 2002. Under the leadership of Ms. DeLaura, DREAM currently staffs more than 40 Dominicans, four expatriates and numerous volunteers from across the globe, all working together to change the lives of over 6,000 children a year. During this workshop you will see how the project came together and learn what it takes for a woman to be successful in this field. During your next leadership workshop this afternoon, meet with Madeline Baird, a Princeton fellow currently working with Deportes Para La Vida (Sports for Life), and learn about the work she does to foster youth awareness of public health issues and community engagement through outreach, monitoring and evaluation. After, enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with the UNICA Young Women’s Youth Group (YWYG).Together with the UNICA YWYG you’ll participate in a local community service project, followed by a leisurely boat ride down the Yasica River that concludes at a shared bonfire dinner on the beach with your new friends. (B,D)
Jun 22, 2019 Sosua
This morning meet with your group to debrief about your first day’s experience. Following breakfast, today’s leadership workshop has you meeting Elizabeth Geier, Executive Director of Health Horizons International (HHI). The mission of HHI is to provide quality health care to underserved patients of the Dominican Republic and to build local capacity for achieving improved community health. Enjoy learning about the path that Elizabeth took through Thailand, Burma, Timor-Leste and Peru to finally end up in the DR, the role she plays at HHI and the long term impact her work has on the organization and local residents. After lunch discover the local marine life first-hand as you enjoy snorkeling with colorful tropical fish around the reefs in Sosua Bay, said to be some of the best snorkeling in the world. (B,L)
Jun 23, 2019 Samana
This morning pack up your bags and depart after breakfast for the beautiful area of Samaná. Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch before your leadership workshop and presentation with conservationist Kim Beddall, founder of Whales Samaná. An animal advocate and conservationist, Kim will share with you her passion for marine mammals and tell her story of the creation of Whales Samaná—the first commercial whale watching organization in an area now considered to be one of the world’s top ten destinations to observe threatened, North Atlantic humpback whales. Enjoy dinner tonight as you discuss today’s experience and the long term economic, cultural and ecologic impacts tourism will have on the DR. (B,D)
Jun 24, 2019 Santo Domingo
After breakfast at the hotel you’ll have the chance to give back to the town during a local community service project. The project will be environmentally based and specific tasks will depend on current needs. Following lunch you will journey to Santo Domingo and check into your hotel located in the city’s historic and charming Colonial Zone. After a walking tour to get oriented, enjoy dinner as a group. (B,D)
Jun 25, 2019 Santo Domingo
During breakfast at the hotel, prepare for this morning’s leadership workshop and presentation with Jenny Carolina Morón Reyes, the Coordinator of Legal and Human Rights at Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas (MUDHA). Learn about MUDHA’s mission to improve the living conditions of vulnerable communities, especially for women and children, while implementing human development programs including health programs, legal assistance, and human rights initiatives. Then students will enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with students from Anaisas School Drama Group, followed by lunch together. Later spend time exploring the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. (B,L)
Jun 26, 2019 Santo Domingo
Maximize your final day abroad, starting with a Chu-Chu colonial historical train tour through the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Cultural Site and the historic central area of Santo Domingo. See the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, the Ozama Fortress overlooking the river, the Franciscan Monastery ruins and other historic sites. After lunch you’ll further explore and apply your new knowledge of the city during an exhilarating Amazing Race-style Culture Quest activity. Tonight’s highlight is a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy authentic Dominican fare with your fellow classmates as you recap the previous eight days of amazing and unique leadership learning experiences. (B,D)
Jun 27, 2019 Departure
Depart for the USA. (B)

Cost Per Traveler: $3,459
$384/MONTH USING AN AUTOMATIC PAYMENT PLAN (as of 9/4/18)
Additional Fees (as applicable)
Full Payment Deadline: 2/17/19
What's Included
  • Round-Trip Flights
  • All Meals Included
  • Centrally Located Hotels
  • 24-Hour Tour Manager
  • Double Occupancy
  • Leadership Workshop at DREAM
  • Leadership Workshop at Deportes Para La Vida
  • Global Exchange with UNICA Young Women's Youth Group
  • Yasica River Boat Trip and Bonfire Dinner
  • Leadership Workshop at Health Horizons International
  • Snorkeling
  • Leadership Workshop with Kim Beddall of Whales Samaná
  • Leadership Workshop at MUDHA
  • Global Exchange with the Anaisas School Drama Group
  • Santo Domingo Tour with Guide
  • Santo Domingo Culture Quest
Requirements:
  • Must be female, (students between 12-18 years, prospective chaperones are welcome to inquire)
  • Apply to join the trip
  • Sign up for the trip itself with our vendor (after you've been accepted)
  • US Passport valid at least until December 29, 2019
  • Be in good standing with SOS
  • Complete your 15 hour service requirement with SOS
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SOSers in the Dominican Republic in 2017
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Whale Watching in Samaná.

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​Students of Service (SOS)
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San Antonio, Texas 78278
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Students of Service (SOS) is a registered 501(c)(3).
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Join SOS >
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      • For Parents
      • For Educators
      • SOS From Home
      • Need Volunteers?
    • Recognition
    • Press Releases
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Our 2022 Sponsors
  • LEARN
  • SERVE
    • Make it Happen Initiative
  • EXPLORE
    • Upcoming Trips
    • Where We've Been
  • SOS Benefit Trips
  • Donate
  • SOS Gear