In order to help the people help themselves, we focus on a three-part program centred around a program of 'extreme school makeovers'. Firstly, we listen to the principal and the president of the local school's Parents' Association. And then we work with them to 'make a deal' – we'll help to fix what is broken and run-down in their schools if they'll work alongside us. Secondly, as much as we can, we work with their teachers and children. Thirdly, we work with their local community.

How We Help
The service we provide is varied - from building or repairing structures, to enriching the lives of children, teaching skills to eager adults, to aiding those in desperate need of food, medical attention or crisis intervention.

By partnering with local organizations, particularly Rotary, we aim to enhance the lives of men, women and especially disadvantaged children in nearby barrios a nd bateys, using every volunteer's talents and skills to the max.
By working alongside community helpers on all our projects and at all times, we empower them and they empower us!

Typical community service we may provide:

Building and Repairing - general project work

• assisting with the construction of a new small or additional classroom
• assisting wih the repairs to run-down school or classrooms
• fixing broken desks
• making slates, blackboards and game boards
• assisting with the construction of cement block retaining walls or fences
• creating safe play areas for children
• fixing drainage problems
• building sidewalks or cement paths
• building and creating gardens, planting trees
• building chicken coops
• painting dreary walls of a school, community centre or town building
• installing toilets, shelving or hooks

• organizing and running day-camp enrichment programs for children
• organizing and running professional development workshops for teachers and community leaders
• organizing and running coaches' clinics for leaders or children's and youth sports programs
• organizing non-competitive activities for children
• playing soccer, baseball, basketball, active games with local children and teens
• teaching skills and crafts to men and women, from the basics of business and micro-enterprise, to sewing projects to English as a Second Language
• teaching literacy programs for children and adults

• walking through the local community, visiting the families of the children we care about
• facilitating medical and dental clinics run by partner organizations
• sharing time and fellowship with people who are living on the margin, working in the local dump, etc.
• visiting seniors' centres, local hospitals, local orphanages, and local day care centres
• visiting local schools or centres for children with special needs
• running community workshops on health issues ourselves or in partnership with local organizations
• assisting with local environment clean-up projects
• facilitating the Learning through Play program in Spanish or Creole
• promoting the Healthy Neighborhoods/ Healthy Kids program
• accompanying community health workers or medical professionals as they tend to the needs of babies, children, families, men and women – in their homes, at clinics or in hospitals
• shadowing rehabilitation workers who visit families with disabled children
• distributing food to the hungry, school supplies, medical supplies, sewing supplies, shoes, clothing, linens, baby beds, + a variety of donated goods sensitvely, appropriately, with dignity and always as a follow-up to a visit and in coordination with the local program leaders.
• organizing a "dreams really do come true" day for children