Open Group Program in the Dominican Republic 2027
Just announced!
Next summer AllPeopleBeHappy is offering an open group to the Dominican Republic designed solely for university or college students.
Student Open Group Experience in the Dominican Republic: May 24-30, 2027.
Overview
Home to over 21 million people, the island of Hispaniola is politically divided into the Republic of Haiti on the west and the Dominican Republic on the east. The community of Batey Libertad, where Yspaniola works, is situated in the agricultural heart of the Cibao region, approximately two hours from the
Dominican-Haitian border and a locus of Haitian migration for nearly a century. Our community-based learning program with Yspaniola, primarily takes place in Batey Libertad and the surrounding Santiago de los Caballeros area.
Bateys are rural communities of Dominicans, Haitians, and Dominicans of Haitian descent that developed around the sugarcane industry. In bateys, people of Haitian descent are often denied basic human and civil rights, including citizenship, the right to travel, and due process; this, combined with limited access to basic health services, clean water, sanitation systems, and quality education, makes bateys the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in the Dominican Republic. Currently about 200,000 people live in bateys around the country.
During this program, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of Yspaniola’s work, helping with their educational programs, supporting physical work where needed, playing soccer in the afternoons, and building relationships. Participants will deepen their understanding of the complexity of the community’s context, challenges, and opportunities, while reflecting on their own assumptions, perspectives, and role as visitors in a community very different from their own.
Important Dates
- February 15, 2027: The last day to register. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to complete registration. Early bird special: Register by January 15, 2027 for $100 off the total program fee! This program needs a minimum of 8 participants to run.
- April 16, 2027: Mid-payment – 50% of program fee due
- May 14, 2027: Final payment due
Logistics
This program will kick-off at dinner on May 24th. Participants should arrive at the hotel reserved by Yspaniola in Santiago de Los Caballeros by 5PM. The group will then travel together for the kick-off dinner at 6:30PM.
Yspaniola will arrange airport pick up for those arriving to Santiago’s international airport on May 24th (this cost is included in the program fee). They can also help arrange transportation if coming in from another part of the country (for an additional cost).
All in-country expenses (except for private transport needs mentioned above) starting the evening of May 24th—including food, lodging, transportation, cultural and recreational activities, and service projects—are covered by the program fee
Accommodations and Meals
All hotel reservations will be made by Yspaniola. The first night will be spent in Santiago de Los Caballeros and all subsequent nights will be spent in a hotel in Mao.
The accommodations for this program include staying in locally owned hotels. They offer basic accommodations; including A/C and wifi. The hotel may or may not offer hot water.
Who is this experience for?
This experience is designed solely for college students. We are looking for college students interested in sharing an experience with other college students as well as supporting grassroots community work. (This is not a program for people looking for a Caribbean beach vacation).
Price: $1,134
REGISTER NOW
Register now to secure your spot for one of these hands-on, immersive open group experiences!
Registration deadline: February 15, 2027
Early bird special: Register by January 15, 2027 for $100 off your total program fee!
Interested but have some questions before you register? Please reach out to Dominican Republic site liaison Bibi Al-Ebrahim (bibi.alebrahim@amizade.org)
ALLPEOPLEBEHAPPY’S CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
If your trip must be canceled prior to departure, please contact our office as soon as possible. Deposits are nonrefundable. The remainder of your refund will be determined by the date and conditions of your cancellation as follows.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office before April 17, 2027 will receive a full refund, minus the nonrefundable deposit.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office between April 18 and April 30, 2027 will receive a 50% refund of the mid-payment (exclusive of the nonrefundable deposit).
- Individuals who send written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office on or after May 1, 2027 will not be guaranteed any refund. AllPeopleBeHappy will work with the community partners on if/how much of a refund may be possible.
If AllPeopleBeHappy cancels a program before the program start date for any reason, we will issue a full refund for the program fee and the deposit.
AllPeopleBeHappy requires a minimum of 8 participants to run this open group program. If the minimum number of participants is not met, AllPeopleBeHappy will notify all participants by February 20th. We advise against purchasing non-refundable airfare before February 20th unless otherwise notified.
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