Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi: Community Volunteers

I can't find the words to adequately describe how special and life-changing my experiences were with La Fundación Mahatma Gandhi. I can't praise this organization enough! I volunteered for FMG for the first time in the fall of 2009 for a few months. I returned to volunteer a few more months in the following spring, and again the following fall. If I had it my way, I would spend a few months there every year. When I first began as a volunteer for FMG, it was a simple, two-room library that functioned as a youth center for children in an area lacking books, resources, and much more. As volunteers at FMG, we spent our time helping with homework, running various workshops, and lending whatever skills, knowledge, and experience we had to the children who happily poured into the library everyday. It was a fantastic, blissful, and challenging time in my life that continues to reward me. I spent my second visit restoring a new, larger building for the new library and then continued with more projects and workshops for the children as I developed my Spanish skills. By my third visit, I was fluent in Spanish and able to teach an older child to read in his language, which I am incredibly proud of. This is my personal experience, and other volunteers have made their own, unique and incredible contributions. The beauty of FMG is that volunteers are encouraged to use their own creativity and strengths to contribute to the community in the way they see fit, with the support and guidance of the organization. Jose and Annette have continued to develop FMG in the years since I volunteered in ways that I could never have dreamed of. They are truly serving the community in every way possible, from children to adults to the environment. Every bit of volunteer energy goes directly to the improvement of the community in a way that you can see right before your eyes, even if you only spend a week or two with FMG. As a volunteer, you are encouraged to find your niche that you can develop as much as you are comfortable with. Jose and Annette go out of their way to see that volunteers are comfortable in the country. They became like an in-country family to me and continue to be exceptionally special people in my lives who I will always be in touch with. They are so committed to their community and are so open to the ideas as well as needs of volunteers. They also make sure to open the volunteers' eyes to their true surroundings by showing them Dominican life and poverty beyond the beautiful beaches and fancy tourist restaurants in the area. The volunteer experience with FMG is incredibly authentic, which means that at times, it will break your heart. Observing the realities in which others live in is a hard pill to swallow. As a volunteer, however, you can REALLY feel like you are "giving back." I could go on for days about FMG and will certainly be returning at some point to spend more time! I am open to any questions.

When I was first accepted into this program I had no idea what to expect, but once I arrived I had no doubts that I had been accepted into a life changing experience. We stayed at the Villa del Anderson, where we received extremely wonderful care. We were fed well, and treated like family. José was great to us like always throughout the trip and allowed us to get the most real experience we possibly could. This foundation does not just help others, it teaches everyone that it helps about what a little hard work can create, and even I learned that. This was no sugar-coated vacation, we didn't go to go to the beach everyday, or get our tan on; it was real hard work. Each day we did a little more work on our projects, whether that was hand-mixing, or pouring concrete to create a basketball court, or making chalkboards for the classroom, or even sorting books in the library, no days were wasted. We did get a few treats throughout, such as zip-lining (such a wonderful experience) as well as a waterfall excursion. I had the greatest time of my life, and I'm eager to get back as soon as I possibly can because this foundation really showed me how hard work can pay off, and I saw it in each of those children's eyes as they saw the projects we were finishing to help them. As I write this I am still in love with each and every of the wonderful souls I encountered while in the Dominican Republic, and I cannot give enough praise to José and his family, and Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi because it's people like this that give people like me a chance to help change lives, and they ask for nothing in return.

My experience with Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi was one of the best experiences of my life. I was there for 2 weeks and we did focused mainly on projects at different schools, such as building playgrounds, basketball courts, painting murals, etc. We also played with the children and helped in a local library, stocking newly donated books. The people you meet and work with while you are there are the most amazing, selfless and loving people that I will never forget. I would recommend volunteering through this program to anyone who gets the opportunity to go. It is the experience of a lifetime and I hope to one day be apart of it again.

My daughter volunteered here off and on over two years and I was skeptical of it based on the website as it seemed like a very small, independent organization. I wondered if it was really legit...so, I went with her the first time and it was an incredible experience almost from the first moment. So incredible I have since bought a little apartment in town and plan to return as often as I can and to support Jose and Annette in any way I can. They are doing an incredible service to this community in more ways than I can count. If you have the chance, GO! You will not regret it. And as long as you exercise common sense, it is a very safe experience.

FMG is a great program to volunteer with. Jose and Annette do a wonderful job making you feel welcome and safe. They also help cater the volunteer work to your interests and abilities. It is hard to describe the profound impact my experience in Las Terrenas had on my life. The people of Las Terrenas are so welcoming and gratefuI, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the community. I went for a short period of time with a service group from school and it inspired me to continue a life of service in the future.