2023 Impact Report
We create as much good as possible in the communities we visit and provide meaningful experiences to our travelers, all while protecting our planet. Continue reading below to see how we built on what we started in 2022.
How We Do It
Work with local partners to design community development projects that address expressed needs in a responsible and sustainable way.
1
Involve community members from beginning to end, to ensure that our projects are as impactful as possible.
2
Harness the energy of our travelers who provide resources and volunteer labor while at the same time learning and growing as individuals.
3
Carry out monitoring and evaluation before, during and after the projects to ensure we are contributing to long-lasting positive impact in each community.
4
Community Service Outcomes
Costa Rica
Volunteer Hours
18,511
USD Committed
$51,336
Dominican Republic
Volunteer Hours
13,770
USD Committed
$76,673
Our community service outcomes are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”
The United Nations General Assembly is working to address the 17 goals, which focus on creating an equitable and sustainable future, by 2030. We’re doing our part to contribute to that effort in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
In 2023, we expanded on what we started in 2022 by increasing our impact in the partner communities where our student volunteers serve. Continue reading below for examples of how Offbeat service projects contributed to nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals while also serving local community members in the places we take travelers.
Service Project Highlights
Dominican Republic
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
Project: New aqueduct piping across six projects
7,882 meters - 176% increase from 2022
Dominican Republic
SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
Goal 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
Projects: Replace dirt floors with cement and construct new latrines
17 cement floors and 6 latrines - up from 10 and 4 in 2022, respectively
Dominican Republic
SDG 14: Life Below Water
Goal 14.4.1.a: health of marine ecosystems based on marine species surveys
Project: Propagating coral reef using coral substrate
2,045 meters of coral substrate built - 14% increase from 2022
Costa Rica and Dominican Republic
SDG 15: Life on Land
Goal 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products
Project: Protect sea turtle habitats
6,403 sea turtle eggs collected
Costa Rica
SDG 4: Quality Education
Goal 4.1: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Project: Improve infrastructure with projects at six schools
624 students with improved infranstructure
Costa Rica
SDG 14: Life Below water
SDG 15: Life on Land
Goal 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches
Goal 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
Projects: Plant mangroves and trees
940 mangroves and 391 trees planted
Student Fundraised Projects
Calista Marie Schloessmann
In December 2021, Offbeat Travel received financial support from student Calista Marie Schloessmann, who had previously participated in a 2019 summer program and aimed to continue aiding underprivileged communities in the Dominican Republic.
Coordinating with community leaders, Offbeat Travel organized the delivery of Christmas packages to elderly, disabled, and vulnerable individuals in bateye communities near Monte Coca. Each package, assembled on December 20 and distributed on December 22 contained a week's worth of food and holiday treats.
The project directly benefited 98 people in seven different bateyes and indirectly impacted 196 others. Additionally, the remaining funds were used by the Monte Coca community leadership to construct two latrines, benefiting a total of 10 community members.
Elena Alcerro
In 2023, another student named Elena Alcerro, who had previously participated in one of Offbeat Travel's summer programs, reached out with the goal of utilizing funds she had raised to initiate a project in Batey Monte Coca. The objective was to provide daily meals for the elderly, sustaining them with one meal each day for an entire year.
Elena successfully raised a total of $45,000 for this initiative. Thanks to these funds, Offbeat Travel has been able to furnish a daily meal to the entire elderly community of Monte Coca, comprising over 180 elders, from December 2022 through 2024.
“Las pequeñas cosas son las responsables de los grandes cambios”
“The little things are responsible for the big changes”
— Paulo Coelho
Ready to Contribute?
Help us make an impact and continue our support of the UN Sustainable Development goals in 2024 and beyond. Find out how your group can participate in our local community service efforts in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico by contacting us today.