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There are so many ways to give back to leave the places visited better off because you were there, or to leave a better person because of your experience. Often it's both!
Go BIG has partnered with multiple organizations that protect children, animals, and landscapes. If schedules permit, and pre-approval is granted, micro-volunteering opportunities can be available in certain areas of the tour. The goal for these volunteering opportunities is to allow for Go BIG travelers to be introduced to some incredible organizations that are making a difference for individuals, communities, landscapes, animals, and the world as a whole. The hope is that these opportunities will inspire future engagement with these organizations or similar ones. Each organization is unique as are the opportunities available to engage with them. Some of the opportunities will allow for seeing completed projects that the organization was involved in, some will allow for meeting of the staff members, others will allow for direct involvement. The specific engagements possible for one tour date may not be available for all tour dates, and we will do our best to provide maximum engagement for those that are interested.
Give some of your scheduled free time to volunteer. We will organize it and provide transportation for you.
at an orphanage or community support organization.
at wildlife rescue & rehabilitation centers or domestic animal shelters.
Go BIG buys requested supplies and delivers them utilizing our tour transportation. Deliveries are made during non-tour itinerary times. Tour guests can take part by monetary contributions for the supplies or by joining the delivery team if they are so inclined, but taking part is completely optional.
Go BIG’s philosophy: Preservation through education and mindful travel. Tourism when done right, helps people (both traveler and host) appreciate what they have as a resource to be preserved.
Help yourself to a new perspective by getting to know some of the charitable organizations Go BIG supports.
Help spread knowledge and goodwill by giving a mini lecture of a subject that you know well.
Charitable Donations
Volunteer w Animals
Volunteer w People
Educate Yourself
Educate Others
We at GBT feel it is important to try to counterbalance any environmental footprint increases caused by travel-related services - we bypass the current voluntary carbon offsetting marketplace and offset our footprint independently.
To nurture community pride in the areas' unique ecosystems bolstered by community outreach initiatives that are grounded in environmental understanding based on research and education.
A community of foreign and domestic members that strive to balance growth with preservation in stewartship of the environment.
We highlight the innovative projects of partnering NGOS throughout the tours' tineraries (see organizational descriptions below).
We utilize GBT transportation to deliver donations and requested supplies to in need and often remote communities and organizations we have partnered with.
SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization focused on ensuring that children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it grow up with the care, relationships and support they need to become their strongest selves.
We believe that truly bonding with a child has the power to change the world.
OUR VISION Every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security. Families come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, including foster families, extended families, and kinship care. However, what truly matters is that children and young people have a sense of belonging, of being surrounded and supported by individuals who care for them, whom they can rely on and trust, who believe in them, and who are available when they need someone the most. A nurturing and trustworthy relationship is the cornerstone of the kind of family environment we envision for every child and young person.
OUR MISSION We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities. We are here for children and young people no matter their background, experience, culture, heritage, religion, sexual orientation, political alignment, gender, disability, or origin. They are our priority, and we do whatever it takes to ensure that they grow up empowered with trust and a feeling of belonging. Our work is adapted to local contexts and customs, as it must be in order for us to reach those who need our support.
OUR VALUES
DREAM Founder Michel Zaleski got started by bringing down Dartmouth College students to supplement teaching at Cabarete’s two public schools. This effort inspired additional donors to construct classrooms, libraries and bathrooms to support the new volunteers. With the understanding that the public education system would continue to need support, DREAM built its own facilities and registered as a US and Dominican non-profit, formally establishing DREAM in 2002.
DREAM has grown from one small community in Cabarete to 15 throughout the country, educating more than 6,500 children, youth and young adults through 17 innovative programs. DREAM offers literacy, early childhood education, youth leadership, the Bachata Academy and community programs to ensure that all children and youth within our partner communities never lack access to necessary resources again.
OUR MISSION Provide high-quality educational opportunities to children, youth and families in the Dominican Republic.
OUR VISION Our transformative education programs respond to gaps in the national education system and empower at-risk children and youth to create a better future for themselves and their families. Through innovative approaches to literacy, early childhood education, youth leadership, music instruction and community support, DREAM promotes critical thinking and independence to enrich lives and strengthen sustainable communities.
OUR VALUES Inclusive, innovative and community-based education for all. At DREAM, learning never stops and opportunity is our great equalizer.
Equity We respect diversity and fight to overcome prejudices, promoting the integration and inclusion of all regardless of race, sex, physical condition, religion or economic status.
Integrity We act with respect, responsibility, honesty and authenticity, supporting our words with our actions.
Opportunity We believe that everyone deserves the same opportunity to learn and develop, and we create the right conditions for them to thrive.
Quality We strive to continuously improve our programs, providing the best educators and a steadfast commitment to always producing the best results.
Sustainability We develop programs that can be successfully implemented and replicated in other communities in the country, leaving behind the necessary tools for future generations to continue their development.
Transparency We aim to track every achievement and dollar spent on our programs and provide detailed reports on all our activities.
Compassion is a Christian organization that helps children in poverty around the world. They provide holistic care, education, health, and spiritual support to sponsored children and their families. Compassion also empowers sponsors to build meaningful relationships with their children through letters and gifts. Compassion has been serving the poor for over 60 years and has a proven track record of financial integrity and effectiveness. Compassion is a charity you can trust and love.
WE RELEASE CHILDREN FROM POVERTY IN JESUS' NAME
That is our mission, which we work to achieve through a holistic approach to child development. We carefully blend physical, social, economic and spiritual care together…in Jesus' name.
WE HELP DEVELOP CHILDREN INTO ALL GOD INTENDS THEM TO BE
Child development equips children today with skills to succeed tomorrow. Holistic child development provides opportunities that encourage the healthy development of all aspects of a child — spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and even economically — early and throughout life.Holistic child development means we begin assisting a child in poverty, in some cases, when the child is still in the womb, and it means we go all the way through young adulthood with the child. Holistic child development requires a long-term approach and goes beyond simple involvement in the life of a child. It involves long-term dedication and perseverance, and it changes as a child’s needs change. Holistic child development is tailored to a child's age, gender, health, culture, and family situation.
WE DO ALL OF OUR WORK THROUGH LOCAL CHURCHES
We work with thousands of local churches around the world, and each church partner tailors our holistic child development model to the contextualized needs of the children in its community, to best deliver the whole life care the children need. We work primarily through child sponsorship, but also have specific initiatives to help babies and mothers, to develop future leaders, and to meet critical needs.
FUNDEMAR is an organization dedicated to promoting the sustainable use of coastal marine ecosystems and resources through research, education, and support for the development of conservation projects. It has a multidisciplinary technical team of biologists, ecologists, and educators capable of carrying out actions and projects with scientific rigor as well as a network of local and international volunteers with a vocation for service, who make their knowledge, resources, and efforts available to the organization in support of the organization's objectives.
Since its foundation in 1991 by Professor Idelisa Bonnelly, FUNDEMAR has consolidated strategic alliances with national and international organizations.
FUNDEMAR has the ability to influence and mobilize actions and opinions on key aspects of its mission such as: conservation of ecosystems and coastal marine resources at the national level and their protection in alliance with local communities.
REEF CONSERVATION
MARINE MAMMALS
MANATEE REINTRODUCTION, MONITORING, AND PROTECTION
Reef Check is a non-profit organization leading citizen scientist to promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities worldwide.
VISION: Thriving reefs, cared for by communities sustained for generations to come.
Founded in 1996, the Reef Check Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical coral reefs and temperate kelp forests. With offices in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz, California and volunteer teams in more than 40 countries and territories, Reef Check’s mission is to lead citizen scientists who promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities around the globe.
Reef Check performs three vital tasks necessary to promote stewardship of sustainable reef communities worldwide:
TRAIN and organize teams of local volunteer citizens, scientists, and divers. They collect data on reef health and assess climate change's impact on their reefs.
PROMOTE public education about reefs and the ocean. Our goal is to develop a team of ocean ambassadors with the skills and knowledge to make a tangible and meaningful difference for marine conservation in their local communities.
DEVELOP ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions for reef conservation and restoration.
The David Ortiz Children’s Fund provides essential support for children in the Dominican Republic and in New England who cannot afford the critical cardiac services they need. We are proud to partner with CEDIMAT Hospital in Santo Domingo, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital to fulfill this mission. Through outreach, education, and support for medical care, we’re committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children who require life-saving heart surgeries.
OUR WORK We’re committed to enhancing the health and well being of children who require life saving surgeries.
OUR IMPACT Improving cardiac care in both New England and the Dominican Republic, our investments in the U.S. help inform advances abroad and save lives around the world.
OUR REACH You can help us save lives! 2000 kids in both New England and the Dominican Republic are born each year with congenital heart disease. And they need your help to thrive.
OUR MISSION The David Ortiz Children’s Fund provides essential support for children in the Dominican Republic and in New England who cannot afford the critical cardiac services they need. We are proud to partner with CEDIMAT Hospital in Santo Domingo and the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children to fulfill this mission. Through outreach, education, and support for medical care, we’re committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children who require life-saving heart surgeries.
In addition to funding pediatric cardiology surgeries for low-income children, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund has provided:
In Enda Dominicana, we are dedicated to supporting rural and urban communities in their efforts to promote the responsible use of environmental resources and human development. Our support includes, among other things, the search for funding, knowledge, and technical expertise, as well as the facilitation of relationships between community organizations and the private sector, universities, local and national governments, with a focus on territorial management.
Since 1984, we have been engaged in development and environmental support activities in Dominican rural and urban communities as Enda Caribe. In 1992, a process of transformation began in the local NGO Enda Dominicana, which today oversees all of Enda's projects and responsibilities in the country. Enda Dominicana was incorporated by Executive Decree No. 357-03 of April 8, 2003. It is also registered under the Law on Non-Profit Associations No. 122-05, with incorporation registration number (NRI) 007184/01/2013.
MISSION To contribute to the construction of a responsible, autonomous society, promoting human development, the conservation and preservation of natural resources, human formation, participatory research and action, respect for human rights, pluralism, openness, and the articulation of popular and scientific knowledge.
VISION A world of solidarity and peace, respectful of human rights and dignity, social justice, and cultural diversity, where resources are distributed equitably and managed in the interests of current and future generations.
VALUES Respect for the environment. Sustainable development. Social justice for all. Community development.
Aldeas de Paz is a charity that works in the Dominican Republic, especially in Samaná province. It runs programs for people with disabilities, youth development, community development, and marine conservation. It relies on donations, grants, and volunteers to support its work. It partners with local institutions and international organizations. It is accountable to the Dominican government and the public. It aims to empower people and protect the environment.
OUR PRINCIPLES Meaningful ethical volunteer programs, we are independent from political, religious or business interests and maintain independence by completely funding and operating our programs with the practical and monetary contributions of volunteers and interns.
Aldeas de Paz is committed to delivering meaningful ethical volunteer programs by prioritizing community needs and fostering sustainable development. We promote responsible volunteering by providing pre-departure information, ensuring cultural sensitivity, and advocating for ethical and responsible volunteer practices. We prioritize transparency, collaboration, and fair compensation for local staff and partners.
OUR MISSION We promote a culture of peace and foster cross-cultural exchange for people of all races and nationalities and we practice voluntary community service where we provide additional opportunities in education, sports, culture, health care and social development. We assist our beneficiaries to develop their potential and improve their own lives.
OUR VISION Offering volunteers and interns the great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish and immerse themselves in the Latin and Caribbean culture. We share the values of peace, justice and tolerance. We focus on the preservation of cultural values and the empowerment of young people while valuing local knowledge and working with cultural sensitivity. Our volunteer opportunities are truly the microcosm of a world where people join together, giving priority to improving life for humanity and promoting a culture of peace as a practical way to both prevent and resolve conflict.
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners.
OUR MISSION To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
OUR VISION A world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.
The Dominican Republic’s vibrant diversity of plants and animals attract scores of visitors from around the world. It is home to more than 5,600 plant species and 300 bird species. Residents appreciate the natural environment for its beauty but also depend upon it for food and as a source of livelihood. This is why The Nature Conservancy has helped establish national parks and marine managed areas around the country from areas around Samaná Bay to Parque Nacional del Este. These protected areas promote sustainable fisheries and coral reef and mangrove conservation, and also support the government’s commitment to protect 20% of its marine and nearshore environment by 2020 through the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.
PROTECTING WATER AT ITS SOURCE In the Dominican Republic, the Conservancy is introducing Water Funds, tools that are being applied for the first time on a Caribbean island to conserve freshwater throughout the nation. Through partnering with local groups, the Conservancy has established two Water Funds to support four watersheds that Dominican supply water to more than 60 percent of the Dominican Republic’s population.
PROTECTING MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS Since its launch in 2008, the Dominican Republic has provided key leadership and support for the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI). The CCI is an unprecedented collaboration in the Caribbean in which each participating country commits to protect at least 20% of its nearshore marine and coastal environments by 2020 and to ensure the protected areas receive sufficient, reliable endowment funding to sustainably manage them into the future.
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FISHING PRACTICES The Conservancy is working to promote sustainable fishing practices, in order to protect the Dominican Republic’s vital marine resources and ensure that the livelihoods that depend on them have a sustainable future. This includes initiating “no take” seasons to allow certain species breeding and recovery time and monitoring lobster and conch fisheries to gauge the health of marine habitats. In addition, the Conservancy has conducted, in collaboration with local community groups, a series of seminars to raise awareness about invasive lionfish and the need to protect parrotfish in the Samaná Bay area.
Our mission is to significantly improve the health and well-being of the dogs (Coconut Hounds) and cats (Coconut Cats) living in the Dominican Republic. This mission is being accomplished through several programs supported by the commitment and compassion of our volunteers, donors, and followers.
SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS Reducing overpopulation is a crucial, massive, and ongoing effort and is one of our biggest projectss. We regularly work with veterinarians who come to the island to volunteer their time and talent to work with our team to attain this goal. Most of our patients are street animals that we round up, as well as those that are owned by poor Dominicans and Haitians whose animals we treat for free. We have performed 9,000+ surgeries to date to reduce the animal population, resulting in hundreds of thousands of fewer unwanted animals roaming the streets.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS Our volunteers go into local communities and provide free flea, tick, and parasite medicines as a preventive action to help hundreds of animals every month. They also check on animals in their areas for more severe issues and they treat those issues on site or bring the dog or cat to a local veterinarian for care if needed. We also hold monthly parasite clinics on a regular schedule in areas throughout the country where Dominicans can bring in their pets to get free flea, tick, and parasite medicines as well as basic care.
EMERGENCY VET SERVICES DCDR will help street animals as well as those owned by poor Dominicans and Haitians by taking them to a local vet and paying for treatments needed including; x-rays, surgeries, wound care, medications, etc. Without this service hundreds of animals would die or suffer needlessly each year.
EDUCATION Our education program encompasses everyone from school-aged children to local law enforcement officers. We educate about animal care, animal cruelty laws, proper treatment of animals, how to approach animals, and what to do if they run across an animal in need.
ADVOCACY The only way to institute real change is to make sure that animals are legally protected. We are continually working to institute the changes needed on the island to ensure animal safety.
FOSTER AND ADOPTION PROGRAMS Whenever possible, we place our street dogs and cats with loving and caring foster parents who will provide a home for these animals until they can find committed and qualified families to adopt them. We have helped thousands of street dogs and cats find new homes.
