CEED Project Mission
To enhance education in small communities where the opportunity for a quality education is not economically feasible.

Connecting Education to Practical Life
Instruction methods are based on teaching basic skills that apply to everyday life in Cabrera. Studies show that students are more engaged and motivated about learning when they see how to use their new skills.

Becoming a CEED Cabrera Teacher is both a tropical adventure and a real learning opportunity. The Cabrera Project is more than just teaching; it is also a Professional Development Program that provides you with critical skills for teaching kids and adults. Professors, from major U.S. Colleges of Education, will offer workshops throughout the year. Here you’ll learn and put into practice:

• Practical Life Curricular Connections
• Differentiated instruction and grouping
• Classroom management strategies
• Assessment, recording and reporting strategies
• Application of skills in practical life projects
• Cultural education and community service
• Team work and working in a learning community
• Mentor teaching

• Early childhood/Montessori Teachers will need a degree or license in early childhood education, a certificate or experience with Montessori methods.
• K-8 Educators in this category must provide transcripts, license or credential.
• TOEFL or equivalent Certificates of completion from an accredited program.
• Vocational/Environmental Education: Education in the trades is of vital importance to Cabrera. A project proposal should be attached with your application, stating what you can do and what you can give. What you can do and what you can give. Some of the most important educational needs are:

• Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanics
• Culinary
• Medical/CPR
• Information technology
• Environmental science

• Administration
  Experience in supervision and evaluation of educational programs and personnel is needed.

Attaining Assistance with Sponsorships:
If your application is selected, you will be given the option to create a posting on the CEED project website seeking sponsors. The posting is meant to help you raise funds for your travel and living expenses. CEED will also supply literature and brochures for you to distribute for your cause.

Information about the Dominican Republic (DR)
There are several good sources of information about the DR. Guide books and travel websites may be helpful, but a better
English-language site with DR news and information is DR1 (http://dr1.com). Information on this site doesn’t always match the realities of life in Cabrera, so please contact us if you see anything of concern.

Getting to Cabrera
The closest airport to Cabrera is Puerto Plata (POP). American, Jet Blue and Continental offer direct flights to POP from several cities in the U.S., but the most common hubs are Miami and New York. Santo Domingo (SDQ) is also an option. It is slightly farther from Cabrera, but it is served by more airlines from more locations in North America and Europe. In most cases, we can arrange transportation from the airport to Cabrera for newly arriving teachers.

About Cabrera

Cabrera is a small village along the picturesque North Coast of the country. It has a very authentic “parque” in the center of town, which is alive with music, dancing, bars and people watching. The town is peaceful and safe, with excellent access to a half-dozen world-class beaches (5-15 minutes drive in either direction).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabrera,_Mar%C3%ADa_Trinidad_S%C3%A1nchez
http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/destinations/north_cabrera.php  

Getting Around

In Cabrera, walking is an option (though it’s not much fun in the heat and rain). Motorcycle taxis (motoconchos) are available for short trips around town, and minibuses (guaguas) can be taken to nearby beaches and towns. Larger buses serve the big cities like San Francisco, Santiago and Santo Domingo. Many teachers buy a moped (passola) or motorcycle, and some buy a used car. The market for used cars is thin in Cabrera, but more are available near San Francisco (Two hours from Cabrera).

Health and Safety

CEED teachers receive local health insurance, which entitles them to free or low-cost treatment at most hospitals or clinics any where in the country. Cabrera has a hospital and several health clinics that provide generally good service for basic ailments. Most doctors have been trained in North America or Cuba, and a fair number speak English. There are also several good dentists in town. A higher standard of healthcare is available in neighboring towns and cities, in the event of chronic illness or trauma. Medicines must be purchased from local pharmacies. The most notable health threat in the area has been dengue fever. Cases in Cabrera have occurred, but they are uncommon. Using mosquito nets at night, putting screens on windows and wearing repellent will greatly reduce your risk of contracting this disease. Also, you should not drink water from the tap.

Money Matters

You should be able to live comfortably in Cabrera on $500 per month. Buying larger items (e.g., moped or motorcycle, car, inverter, some furniture and appliances) may require additional funds. Typically, credit cards are not accepted by stores in Cabrera or neighboring towns. There are ATMs in Cabrera, but the most efficient way to get cash from a US-based checking account is to cash a personal check with the local money changer. (No commission, no questions!)

Crime

Cabrera is a very small town and crime is infrequent. Neighbors generally look out for you and your property. There have been
very few instances of violent crimes in Cabrera, but theft is possible, particularly for things that are left outside or unlocked.
When travelling to larger cities like Santiago and Santo Domingo, caution and common sense should be enough to avoid trouble.

Power

Black outs and power fluctuations (spikes and low voltage) are extremely common, unpredictable, and sometimes long-lasting
throughout the DR. Many homes have an array of regulators, inverters and a bank of car batteries to power lights and small
electronics during blackouts. If you are bringing electronics to Cabrera (e.g., laptops, iPods, etc.), be sure to bring a solid, reli-
able power strip (or two, or even three) with a surge protector. An extra battery for your laptop is not a bad idea. Replacing or
repairing electronics can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s better to protect them from the start.

Language and Culture

There is a small international community around Cabrera, and it’s not uncommon to hear conversations in Spanish, English,
French or other languages – sometimes all at once. Around town, most local people speak Spanish. Learning and using Spanish
will go a very long way with parents, neighbors and others in the community(even just a few words or phrases help).

The biggest challenge to adapting to the local culture (for most) will be to slow down. Dominicans are easy-going and friendly,
and in general, life is much slower-paced in Cabrera than it is in North America and Europe. People take time to greet each other
every day, and they often sit in front of their houses, talking with whoever passes by. Family, friends and neighbors are welcome
to stop by for a meal, and fruit growing in the back yard is communal. A moped is a perfectly good way to transport a family of
five (and their luggage), and music is meant to be shared with the neighborhood. For the most part, these differences are not
objectively better or worse, they’re just different. Flexibility and a sense of humor are the best assets when things get silly
(which they will!).

Do I need to get a visa?

Almost all of our year-round volunteers never get a visa because the process can be complicated, and fees are too high. Visitors
from the US, Canada, and most EU countries who do not obtain a Dominican visa prior to entry are required to purchase a $10
tourist card upon arrival at the airport. Plan on carrying exact change in US dollars for the initial $10 fee. This tourist card allows
you to stay in the country for 60 days. You may incur an additional fee for an extended stay. Generally if you say you have been
volunteering here, the fee may be lower, but expect to pay as much as $80.

Respect for Local Laws

Foreign teachers are guests in the DR, and very visible ambassadors of CEED in a small town like Cabrera. Like any good guest,
we are expected to follow the local laws and respect local authorities. Drugs, excessive drinking, soliciting prostitutes, or other
offenses could not only bring shame to the foundation, but they could land a person in jail. Please help us maintain our position
of respect in the community by obeying local laws and understanding that people in the community have high expectations that
we will exhibit exemplary standards of professionalism and decorum in and around the community.

Get your application in now!