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Every year the Hogar del Niño school and day care centre in La Romana town, near to Casa de Campo is blessed by the arrival of 4 Americans who spend nearly a year volunteering in the school, contributing not only their time and hard work but also endless amounts of love, whilst they carry out life-changing projects and initiatives.
Here one volunteer, Hilary Marck who was at the Hogar del Niño from July 2010 through to June 2011 tells us her beautiful story of love, passion and hard work at the Hogar del Niño.
Hilary at the Hogar del Niño in La Romana
Beginning in July of 2010, I was blessed with the opportunity to work in an amazing school in the Dominican Republic through Stonehill College’s International Extension Program. My experience was absolutely life-changing, as I learned and grew in more ways than I could have ever imagined. In fact, I don’t think I have ever had a job in which I believed so much in the significance of my work; a job where each day, I woke up and was truly looking forward to the day ahead. Since high school, I always knew that I had a passion for service and traveling to far-away places to work with other communities and learn about their cultures. This fire within me couldn’t be ignored, so I knew that a year of service after graduating from Stonehill was the right choice for me. Spending 11 months living in La Romana in the Dominican Republic allowed this passion to be nurtured in such a way that I had never felt more alive. It really did surpass my every expectation.
Work hard, play hard – good times at the Hogar del Niño
There were a variety of programs that I worked on at Hogar del Niño. One of my favorites was a program that I started for 8th grade girls to address issues such as self-esteem, body image, and how to handle stress. I met with the girls in small groups each week, and we did fun activities and had excellent conversations surrounding all of these issues. It was enormously rewarding. In addition to this, I was in charge of the school’s extracurricular program, where I organized art, theater, recycling, and English classes for the kids. This “Informal Education” program is a fantastic program where volunteers are always welcome. Lastly, I also co-directed a program with the high school seniors to help them accomplish the 60 hours of community service that is necessary for them to graduate. Teaching English to 5th graders on the side was another project that kept me on my toes.
Jade Franco, Diane Tobio, Hilary Marck and Sara Vincenzi volunteered together at the Hogar
Towards the end of the year, I decided to start a program which would allow exceptional student leaders at the Hogar del Niño to have another opportunity to go to college after they graduate. It is called the “Leaders Program”, and it began when I decided to fundraise for the college education of an outstanding student at the Hogar who has dreams to one day become a doctor. This is a program that I am extremely passionate about, as I truly believe in its potential to change lives by offering students another chance at higher education.
To learn more about the “Leaders Program” and to maka a donation, click here!
In the Hogar del Niño’s crib room which cares for more than 200 babies every day!
I’ve heard people say that doing a year of volunteer service abroad is “the hardest work you’ll ever love”, and I found this to be extremely true. Initially, it came with its own set of uncertainties, discomforts, and frustrations…but in the end, I wouldn’t have traded my time at Hogar del Niño for anything else in the world.
What a fantastic story! Thank you so much for sharing Hilary!