Working in the Bateyes is an intense service and learning experience.  Students will contribute to the ongoing community development project in San Pedro de Macoris. Our work here consists of infrastructure rehabilitation, agricultural work with local farmers, health initiatives, and education projects with local children.  When not working hard on service projects, you will have the opportunity to connect with the community & take part in cultural activities. 

Los bateyes are traditionally communities of sugar cane workers and their families, and are among the most impoverished areas of the country. Many people in these regions lack access to some of the most basic human rights, including access to clean water, adequate nutrition, decent housing, basic education, electricity and other infrastructure -- issues which are exacerbated by unfair wages and systemic racism. Most people living in bateyes are Haitian or of Haitian descent, and there is currently a heated debate surrounding immigration and immigrant rights in the Dominican Republic. In 2013, the Dominican courts ruled in favor of a retroactive law that would effectively strip an estimated 250,000 Haitian-Dominicans of their Dominican citizenship. Since then, due partly to international pressure, the government has passed naturalization and regularization plans to allow for documentation of many people affected by the 2013 ruling. You will learn more about the effects of documentation on human rights throughout the course of this program. 

Working within this context, our projects in the bateyes include home improvement, infrastructure projects, and education projects where we work with local elementary schools to provide supplemental education. Our primary project in our partner community is home improvements. Offbeat Travel began working with these communities in 2012 through our partnership with ASCALA, a local human rights non-profit. The community has stated that home improvements and latrine construction are the top priority, for both safety and health reasons. 

Explore the ongoing challenges facing the bateyes, barracks originally built for migrant sugar cane workers, and now settled as permanent housing for families and entire communities, typically with substandard living conditions. Get to know the community and contribute to ongoing infrastructure service projects such as building and repairing homes or supporting local agriculture and education initiatives. 

Day 1 | December 26th | Welcome to the Dominican Republic

Arrive at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (SDQ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head directly to the volunteer center in San Pedro de Macoris and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your experience, and an introduction to the local culture. Have a hot, local dinner and get some sleep for a big day tomorrow

Days 2-4 | December 27th to 29th | Batey Community Projects

Spend the next three days working alongside our partner community on infrastructure projects designed to increase the standard of living in the batey. Projects include the construction of cement homes which could consist of digging foundation, mixing cement, laying cinder blocks, plastering and/or painting depending on which stage the project is in. Other projects include building latrines, cementing floors, and educational exchanges with local youth.

After returning to the base students will have the chance to shower, before having dinner onsite. After dinner we would have our evening discussions, guest speakers, and/or documentary showing. 

Day 5 | December 30th |Explore Santo Domingo

Start your day with a half-day sugar cane tour, where you'll learn about the history and production of sugar in the Dominican Republic. Experience the traditional methods of cultivation while gaining insight into the lives and daily struggles of the sugar cane workers. 

After the tour, head to the capital for a tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.In the morning, head back to the capital for a tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the first university, cathedral and hospital in the Americas. Take a tour of the walled city and learn about the deep history of the first European settlement in the Americas. 

Day 6 - 7 | December 31st to January 1st | Batey Service Projects

Continue working alongside our partner community on infrastructure projects aimed at improving living conditions in the batey. Projects include the construction of cement homes, which may involve digging foundations, mixing cement, laying cinder blocks, plastering, and/or painting, depending on the project's stage. Additional tasks may include building latrines, cementing floors, and engaging in educational exchanges with local youth.

Day 8 | January 2nd | ¡Adiós, Dominican Republic!

Say goodbye to your new friends and to the beautiful DR. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure. 

In the Bateyes students will stay at a volunteer facility near the town of Consuelo. Rooming will be bunk style shared lodging with 2-6 people per room. The rooms all have fans we a nice common area and a lot of outdoor space.

• 7 nights of accommodation

• All meals all days

• All transportation

• Offbeat Travel full-time international and local guides

• All activities as detailed in your itinerary

• Single point of contact from Offbeat Travel for support leading up to the program

• Offbeat Travel 24-hour emergency support throughout program

• All airport taxes and departure fees

• All fees, community service donations, and guide tips

Ground Costs: $1,750

Flights: Approximately $1,000 (pending confirmation from airline)

Total: $2,750

Payment Plan:

• $500 Deposit due at sign up then equal monthly payments until one month before the trip

All payments after the initial deposit will be invoiced via email.