History

History

The DREAM Project became a formally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2002, but the groundwork was laid in 1995 when a group of Dartmouth students came down for a semester to volunteer in the two Cabarete public schools. With the help of local and foreign supporters, DREAM began building classrooms, libraries, computer labs and modern bathrooms in the local schools. Tourists began to bring down books and school supplies and contributed computers and funds to operate our then small programs. The word got out and increasing numbers of student volunteers began coming down for a year at a time. DREAM then moved on to building entire new schools, greatly expanding our reach.

DREAM has since grown into a major success run by a paid local staff of more than 40 Dominicans, four expatriates and numerous volunteers from all over the globe. Every year, DREAM helps more than 2,000 children receive a better education through its 24 programs in 11 different communities, affecting the lives of over 4,000 community members. DREAM’s programs include four Montessori preschools, our annual Summer Schools & Camps, three at-risk youth programs, three libraries, computer labs, and community development programs.

Philosophy and Guiding Principles

Involving the DREAM communities in their schools and our DREAM volunteers in the communities is essential to ensuring a sustainable, lasting impact. We build and run schools together with communities; we establish quality educational programs, and we stay and work with the communities until they are willing and able to do it on their own. This is what sets us apart from other organizations.

We give the children in our schools dignity because we believe in them and we aspire to give them the same opportunities as our own children. We contribute to a more peaceful world by bringing together different cultures and nationalities. We offer the hope of a better quality of life for present and future generations of Dominican children by greatly improving their educational opportunities.

Major Accomplishments

• Provides quality education for over 2,000 children annually through 24 programs in 11 different communities affecting the lives of over 4,000 community members.
• Recruited over 780 local and international volunteers to teach at our schools, work in our summer camps and help with service projects (over 162,000 volunteer hours).
• Constructed 25 buildings, including one model education center, five libraries, 22 classrooms, three fully equipped computer labs, two community centers, new roofs, bathrooms and sports facilities.
• Completely renovated 2 public elementary schools: Puerto Cabarete and Colonia Nueva
• Secured and distributed over $400,000 US worth of school supplies, books, and other in kind donations.
• Established a self-sufficient Montessori preschool in 4 communities with Montessori-trained staff.
• Worked with many major universities, including Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Columbia Teacher’s College, University of Vermont, Syracuse University, Brigham Young University and Cornell University.
• Partnered with USAID to support the DREAM Guzmán Ariza Summer School & Camp in 2008 and 2009, and the Young Stars At-Risk Youth Program in 2010.
• Hosted over 45 Service Trips with high schools, universities and various organizations
• Developed a summer camp program that runs in four separate sites for 350 children with over 110 volunteers, teachers and staff (a better than 4 to 1 student-teacher ratio, comparable to U.S. standards).
• Developed Teacher Training workshops and programs that allow teachers to introduce modern methodologies into their classrooms.
• Built three first-rate public libraries, including one at the DREAM Education Center in Cabarete, offering access to more than 3,000 books for over 4,000 community members and children.
• Established a partnership with the US Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Peace Corps, Batey Libertad Coalition, Fútbol para la Vida, A Ganar and Grassroots Soccer.