From March 7 – 14, 2009, alumni may participate in a unique service opportunity to construct a playground and multifunctional learning facility for the Primary School of Veron in the Dominican Republic, near Punta Cana.

This service experience, coordinated through Peacework, will include about a dozen Tech students and those alumni who wish to participate in this week-long, multifaceted service project.  The College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech has designed the playground and multifunctional learning facility, which will be constructed on-site by participating project members (see progress). The playground and multifunctional learning center will address the school’s need of a safe and constructive place for students to play, participate in school and extracurricular activities, control rainwater flooding and exposure to weather that may cause respiratory illness, while also promoting activities that will support the education, well-being, and social environment of students and teachers.

In 2003, Virginia Tech established a partnership with the Caribbean Center for Education and Research, located on the far Eastern edge of the Dominican Republic coast.  It serves as a base for Tech faculty to conduct research and instruct Tech students in biodiversity, environmental and social sustainability, global issues of natural resources, and hotel and tourism management. Faculty and students take full advantage of the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation to study the natural resources of the area. This Foundation maintains a 2,000-acre natural forest reserve, 14 kilometers of protected coral reef, freshwater lagoons and coastal mangroves. The educational center is associated with the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation and PUNTACANA Resort and Club.

Peacework, an international non-profit organization, creates partnerships with organizations around the globe to address issues of social and economic disparity. Peacework volunteer projects directly link the positive goals of indigenous organizations and grassroots community groups to the resources and expertise of partner volunteer groups. Programs include long-term alliances between sponsoring institutions and villages, and short-term volunteer service and technical assistance. The Peacework program model combines volunteer service and local community leadership to sustain effective development and social change.  This concept, Peacework Village Network, is an innovative approach to international development.

Join Virginia Tech students, alumni and Peacework leaders in this valuable opportunity to perform meaningful international service. Personal expenses for the week (March 7-14) will be a deposit of $1,300, plus the cost of air travel to Punta Cana.

Several major airports have direct flights to Punta Cana, DR; alumni will stay at the PUNTACANA Resort.  The registration fee covers ground transportation, (single) double occupancy room, breakfast each morning, mid-day meals at the school site, and evening meals. Peacework provides optional $25,000 comprehensive global medical insurance for those needing international coverage.

I Would Like to Participate! What’s Next?

• Request a Project Registration form and Project Orientation Manual from Peacework.
• Contact Peacework at mail@peacework.org. Please use the following e-mail subject heading: Last Name, First Name–VT/DR Request Registration Form.
• Complete registration form with ALL requested accompanying documents, including a copy of your passport.
• Peacework must receive registration forms by February 23, 2009.
• Inform Peacework if you will need air travel purchased for you.
• Contact Heather Burke, Director of International Programs (heather@peacework.org) for any questions related to the project that are not addressed above or in the Project Orientation Manual. Please include a return phone number.  
• Please note: spaces are limited at the current quoted program costs. 

Questions?

To address specific questions regarding the service opportunity and what kinds of tasks different group members will perform, contact Heather Burke, Director of International Programs with Peacework, heather@peacework.org or 703/731-0830..