By Eden Tresize, Spanish Teacher
Established in 2005 and fully funded by donations, Project Esperanza serves the Haitian refugee and immigrant community of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, focusing on education, social aid, and community development. Their mission is to improve quality of life for those living in the most challenging conditions - through education, empowerment, and opportunity.
They envision change that is lasting and self-sustaining - change that fosters independence rather than dependency. By expanding access to education, employment, and improved living conditions, and by building strong, long-term relationships, they aim to empower the people they serve to shape their own futures.
The primary focus is operating two preschool/elementary schools designed specifically for Haitian immigrant children. Each year, PE educates approximately 275 students, aged 3 – 18, many of whom have had limited or interrupted schooling. The school day runs from 08:00 – 13:00, with lunch provided. For older students who are several years behind grade level, we offer an afternoon programme from 14:00 – 17:30. We also provide scholarships for students continuing their education beyond Grade 6.
Their work extends beyond the classroom. They provide housing, food, and a supportive family structure for vulnerable youth and young adults in a group home, and they respond to urgent needs within the communities they serve.
Each summer, PE hosts a six-week English immersion camp, where English-speaking volunteers help lead engaging activities. English skills are a vital asset in this tourism-driven region.
In the summer of both 2023 and 2025, groups of ICS students (current and former) spent 2 weeks volunteering at the PE summer camp, “Cambia Mis Estrellas” for their PDE (Personal Development Experience) and (we hope) returned to ICS with a new understanding of the world. The students from 2023: Noah T. and Andrea G. (class of 2025), Wyatt P. and Sam B. (former ICS students), Camille T. (current Grade 11) and Peter H. (current Grade 11). Summer 2025 students were: Camille T. (current Grade 11 - this time for her own PDE), Giorgio G. (current Grade 11), Faustine V. (current Grade 11), Borys W. (current Grade 9) and Iga W. (former ICS student).
PE would love to continue this partnership, hosting volunteer ICS students during the summer camp or the school year, and facilitating exchanges for French and Spanish language learners, as well as those interested in Dominican and Haitian history and culture.
Over the years, Project Esperanza has built long-standing partnerships with schools and universities in the United States such as Pace Academy (Atlanta, GA), Morehouse College, and Virginia Tech, whose students volunteer with us in person and remotely throughout the academic year.
To learn more about the programs or explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please visit esperanzameanshope.org.
The PE summer camp is completely volunteer-based and if there are no volunteers, unfortunately there is no camp session. The volunteers plan out lessons, deliver them to the students who rotate through stations (arts & crafts, music, games, advanced English, etc) and play with them during recess and break time.
In the past, volunteers have also buddied up with a PE student and invited them/sponsored them to join in after-camp activities (snorkeling, surfing, cooking lessons, scavenger hunts, kayaking…)