Nickname: gus

Review: I have traveled the world on this type of vacation. I totally recommend them as better than resorts vacations. I now live in the Dominican Republic hoping to host many groups that may want to came here to assist a community.

Date reviewed: Sep 14, 2006 10:22 AM

Nickname: ladyofthetropix

Review: I personally have seen the many wonderful and life changing experiences that have transpired in the DR. I have a small hotel in Sosua www.tropixhotel.com that many missionary groups, medical students, dental students, veterinary students, doctors, and Peace Corp, stay at my hotel for R&R after spending many long, hard, days working with the wonderful people of the Dominican Rebuplic. I provide for them the much needed respite. of comfort and safety, hot showers, airconditioning, pool, pizza, and pancakes, and the beach. If I can help in any way, I will be glad to do so.

Date reviewed: Sep 6, 2006 2:30 PM

Nickname: DrChrisHE

Review: Absolutely I encourage these as a human, as a public health professional, and a mother. We are five U.S. citizens living in the Dominican Republic and while my husband does work for a U.S. company, my 16-year-old is working for Dominican wages (about a $1/hr for those with good English and some Spanish or the reverse). Believe me, after making $8/hr babysitting in the States, he has truly come to appreciate: how hard the locals work; how valuable second and third, languages are; the value of money; and just how spoiled most Americans are. We also have two younger children who go to the local outdoor market and traipse though all the barrios with me. Seeing kids delighted to be Rollerblading, albeit naked, with one rollerblade has an impact. We don't have TV, nor potable water coming from the tap...electricity goes on and off throughout the day. Think about longer stays. If more Americans did this, the world would be a much better place.

Date reviewed: Sep 5, 2006 3:01 PM

Nickname: Buddy

Review: I agree with Local Charity's comments. These views are fully present in the pictures included in this photo essay. The tourists are all shown in positions of superiority, as teachers or benevolent workers. Also, Spanish is not the only language spoken in most towns in Guatemala, but is a second language. Do these trips reinforce cultural misunderstandings and destroy local jobs?

Date reviewed: Jul 26, 2006 4:58 PM

Nickname: local charity

Review: Hello, I have a negative view about charity/volunteer activites in foreign lands. Most Americans have a limited view of the world and believe they are helping others (or satisfy their ego). In most cases, we find our self contibuting to the complex issues there--taking sides and spreading our hidden agenda. My view is to volunteer/donate locally. The issues we understand better here then some unknown issues somewhere. -Alex

Date reviewed: Jul 6, 2006 10:00 PM

Nickname: natgeotravelina

Review: More volunteer vacations for the whole family here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/resources/st_summervacation0607/summer.html

Date reviewed: Jul 6, 2006 8:28 PM

Nickname: Alexandra

Review: Excellent story! Thank you for raising awareness of the many cross-cultural volunteer opportunities that exist. I have enjoyed seven volunteer vacations with Transformational Journeys and found them to be life changing and impactful!

Date reviewed: Jul 5, 2006 8:13 PM

Nickname: David Yussen

Review: Your readers may also be interested to learn about an opportunity through Global Volunteers! Visitors are welcome on our service programs worldwide. Global Volunteers, established in 1984, is an international leader in providing "volunteer vacations" with more than 250 scheduled teams annually, working in more than 100 host communities on six continents. All service program fees are tax-deductible and discounts are available for students, families, and groups. Visit our Web site to learn more: <A HREF="http://www.globalvolunteers.org">www.globalvolunteers.org</A>!

Date reviewed: Jul 5, 2006 2:55 PM

Nickname: Shirley

Review: I am really disappointed that you didn't include American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations, which are weeklong trail maintenance projects that improve the condition and safety of hiking trails on public lands. These trips provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to see the country, explore wild lands and wildlife, have fun, learn new skills, meet new friends and make a difference for our nation's trails. Recreation has increased dramatically in importance for the American people, yet the federal investment for recreation and land conservation has not increased accordingly and has actually decreased. Trail building and maintenance apparently don't rank up there with helping poverty stricken families in Romania or teaching English in Guatemala but without volunteers here in the US to help with the enormous backlog in trail maintenance we are likely to lose these invaluable resources for future generations. Whatever happened to that phrase charity begins at home.

Date reviewed: Jul 1, 2006 3:36 PM