Dominican Republic Travel Notes For 2009-2010

– April 5, 2009

The Travel Notes for Teams wishing to serve in the Dominican Republic have been updated to reflect the latest information available. If you prefer, you can download the pdf file file here (You will need Adobe Reader to view this file).

You can also review the information below:

Dominican Republic – Barahona

 Flights are into the Santo Domingo Airport

 Travel/Accommodations:

Groups can be picked up by bus, van, or truck or they may choose to rent a vehicle at the airport.  Vehicle rental details can be made inside the airport; however, once you exit the airport there is no re-entry.  Once outside rental vehicles can be secured across the street and to the right of the exit in a small white building.  National chains are present such as Hertz, Avis, Alamo, etc.

There is no exit fee like in many countries; however there is an entrance fee.  That cost is $10.00 per person and one group leader may go ahead and purchase those entrance tickets for the entire group at one time.  That ticket must be presented when getting in line to clear customs or else you must go back and wait in line again.

When traveling to Barahona prepare for a five (5) hour drive, though depending on traffic could be much less.  Lunch can be arranged or stopped for along the way.  When leaving the city there is a small toll that must be paid as well.  It is recommended that some money be exchanged for peso’s at an exchange rate around 34.4 to 1 (US Dollar).  Exchanges can be made while at the airport, while waiting on any baggage to arrive.

The guest house or hotel.  Electric is the same as the American plugs.  The hotels are more expensive around $50-$70 per night.  The guesthouse is clean and comfortable for groups around 20 people; however it does have over 40 complete beds.  The cost for the guesthouse with 3 meals is $30.00 p/day.  There is little to no hot water, though warm water when you have power, and you may choose to bring an additional towel.  Toilet paper is not to be flushed due to the sensitivity of the plumbing at either place you choose to stay.  Hotels have normal room configurations and there are a couple hotels to choose from.  The guest house has two large rooms (a male and female dormitory style set-up) along with three smaller “leader” style set-up rooms with one to three beds in each.  The 3rd floor also has a couple beds and could be a great place to congregate for gatherings, devotions, etc.  The main floor and kitchen is where all meals, supplies, etc. are held.

DR Needs:

  • Sunday School education
  • Bible Study
  • Pastoral Education
  • Youth Group ideas

Each of the above need pastors, youth directors, teachers, and so forth to come and help teach pastors to preach, how to hold a youth gathering, teach the bible-education is greatly needed along with practice.  Many of the pastors have little education and conflicts can often arise as to how to address situations that arise. 

New Projects might be happening on the east side of the island.  More information will be discussed later once there has been time to evaluate it.

A project to build storage units in each of the classrooms: We need 24 of them for books, supplies, and other materials.  The cost to purchase supplies for each would be around $1,000.00 and a team would be needed to assemble them while in country.

Pastors from other countries and the US are strongly encouraged to come and work with the church and with the school.  For example: A team of pastor’s who could come Monday through Friday and help teach could make a tremendous impact.

Row is doing work in the following places and needs folks to help with several types of projects:

  1. La O’Ja
  2. Batey 7
  3. Palo Alto
  4. Ja Gui Meyes
  5. Bombita
  6. Canoa
  7. Vincente Noble
  8. Cabral
  9. Barahona
  10. Batey Cuchiya
  11. Batey Santa Maria
  12. Batey H9
  13. Batey Isabela
  14. Pa Raiso
  15. El Cacigue
  16. Tamayo

Projects range from installing windows, doors, concrete floors, painting projects, additions of new kitchens, trade schools, roofing projects, ground breaking for foundations, latrines, VBS, constructing education materials closets, mission house, meeting areas, new wells, lockers, along with needs for educational and personal hygiene supplies. 

Additionally, a person willing to spend 1-2 month’s could learn to speak Spanish and make drastic measures to help.

Team Activities:

VBS, Construction, Medical/Dental projects, Bible Studies, etc. are all welcome.  Educational packets and supplies are also needed.

Teams can come for a week or two or longer.

Costs:

Guest House – $30.00 p/night w/ meals. OR Hotel-  ~$65.00 p/night. w/ breakfast only.

Transportation (with us) :

  • Van:$50.00 p/day plus gas (which runs about $4.00 US p/gal)
  • Truck: 50.00 p/day plus gas (“         “)
  • Bus (1): 100.00 p/day plus gas (holds about 30 people)
  • Bus (2): 200.00 p/day plus gas (holds 47 people)

Or/ teams can negotiate their own transportation and insurance which usally would run 75.00-120.00 for an SUV or small van.

Total is about $500.00 plus airfare.

Contacts:

Pastor Pedro Kery Johnson
Email: pastorpedrokeryjohnson@hotmail.es
Phone: 809-524-2497 (home)
               809-721-8797 (cell)

Dr. Jorge Volquez
Unit #4022 – THMBH
Barahona, DR
(Charlie Evans has Dr. Volquez’s phone and email for medical)

Aldi
Email: aldi@row.org
Phone: 770-880-8079

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