Orphanage Outreach
an article by Erin Betz

While making plans for Spring Break, I heard about Orphanage Outreach, an organization that plans trips for college students to the Dominican Republic. I had the daunting task of raising over $1000 for expenses but I managed to raise the money by writing letters to family and friends. In March I spent a week working with children in an orphanage in Esperanza, teaching English in a public school and hanging out with the orphanage kids. It was a challenge to come up with lesson plans to teach 30 fourth graders things like colors and numbers in English. Not only did we have to plan activities to keep them interested, but we had the language barrier to contend with as well.

It wasn't until I walked Luzdealva home one day and met her brothers and sisters that I really understood what I was doing there. They were thrilled when I quizzed them on the colors in English, and they taught me a Spanish clapping rhyme. It was then that I realized that I would learn just as much from them as they would from me.

My Spanish got better and it was exhilarating to work with other college students who were willing to sacrifice their spring break. It was frustrating that the orphanage had so few material resources. We took cold showers all week and the electricity was functioning about 30 percent of the time. It was an incredible week, nonetheless, and I wanted to stay longer. The most valuable part of my experience was being immersed in another culture and having the opportunity to work with children, and I hope that some day I can go back to Esperanza.

Orphanage Outreach was an amazing experience that I'll never forget. To find out more about the program, visit the Orphanage Outreach website.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Does charity reinforce the status quo
Or can it positively impact recipients in a more lasting way?

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Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE OF PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

Prior to establishment of the Discussion Board, readers of this article were genuinely impressed with the Orphanage Outreach program and the contribution it makes to promote a Culture of Peace. Several readers commented that in addition to charitable programs like this, "fair and just legislation"; is needed to ensure that social problems are adequately addressed. Health care and education were given as examples of issues that require top-down policies that are fair and equitable. In short, programs like Orphanage Outreach are necessary but not sufficient in order to solve social problems.

Comments also referenced political issues like George W. Bush's Faith Based initiative legislation. Specifically, it was noted that Bush might be advocating charity in order to make cuts in social services.

One reader made an interesting comment about volunteerism.. . ...more.

This report was posted on April 19, 2002. The moderator is Charlie.

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