TAKE A TRIP + CHANGE A LIFE - A travel with purpose program

      Santiago Rodríguez, Dominican Republic

      CS
      Caritas Smile
      • Email address verified
      3 reviews
      Jun 23 - 29, 2023
      Group size: 10 - 15
      TAKE A TRIP + CHANGE A LIFE - A travel with purpose program
      Santiago Rodríguez, Dominican Republic

      Caritas Smile
      • Email address verified
      3 reviews

      Jun 23 - 29, 2023
      Group size: 10 - 15

      About this trip

      Travel with purpose - Take a Trip Change a Life with Caritas Smile -  6 Nights / 7 days 


      OUR JUNE 2023 PROGRAM 


      The Take a Trip Change a Life Impact Tour program inspires travelers – many of them people who want to make a difference – to engage with local communities while learning a new language and culture first hand. This service and travel with purpose program is designed for individuals who are looking to ignite purpose and power into their life's journey by immersing themselves into the culture and the community of Dominican Republic. The program is uniquely designed to give people the tools necessary to take meaningful action in their lives through the power of giving back.


      This trip will take travelers to the mountains of Moncion in the Dominican Republic. Along with breathtaking hikes, peaceful meditations and morning mindfulness & light yoga practices, our travelers connect with the local community as well. Art, food, and music are a BIG part of our experiences. 


      We will be invited into local homes, play with children, and surprise communities with toys, clothes, and unforgettable experiences.  It's an opportunity to generously give of ourselves while receiving the gift of  humility and gratitude. 


      The goal is to uplift the community and spirits of the poor while learning about the culture and community. 


      ART + FOOD + MUSIC

      Experience the art, cuisine, culture, and music of the Dominican Republic

      • Eat gourmet authentic Dominican food
      • Learn the basics of merengue and some batchata
      • Explore off the beaten path eco-tours
      • Visit local artists and help children create art
      • Full beach day
      • Discover the impact of your gererosity
      • Community outreach service projects with locals
      • Learn the customs and traditions of the Dominican people
      • Participate in our signature “Random Acts of Kindness” where you will surprise communities in need with food, blessing bags, clothing, and toys
      • Make lifelong friendships and more

      Activities - Dominican Style

      We will have Dominican dance lessons,  a trip to the mountains to learn about local culture, as we walk through the fields, visiting villages, a morning of visiting a local plantain farm, visits to nearby beaches. A hike from the top to the bottom of la presa de Moncion.


      Every other day will be more lightly scheduled with a dynamic and a restorative mindfulness and yoga session offered, and the middle of the day for hiking, river walks, journaling, the beach, 

      What’s included

      • Ground Transportation
        Included
      • Three Meals
        Included
      • Handcrafted Journal
        Included
      • Eco-tours activities
        Included - Hiking, local exersions, river tours, cultural activities, dance lessons
      • 24/7 security
        Included
      • Coffee/Tea/Water
        Included
      • Travel T-shirt
        Included
      • Community tours
        Included
      • Cultural tours
        Included
      • Fiesta bus tour
        Included
      • Mindfulness sessions
        Included

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
        Your flight from your location to Santiago Dominican Republic
      • Flight Insurance
        Not included

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      $2,199
      Deposit: $199

      Itinerary

      CEO & Founder
      CEO & Founder Sixcia (pronounced six-see-ya) Devine

      ¡Hola! Hello! 

      Welcome to Caritas Smile, Take A Trip Change A Life travel with purpose program.

      My travels in developing countries have taught me that generosity has the power to change the world and unite humanity. 

      It inspired me to create the charity, Caritas Smile. The word Caritas in Latin means love of humanity and in Spanish multiple tiny faces. The word smile is simply happiness:). One word in Spanish and another in English to symbolize the unity of two worlds.

       Caritas Smile, is a pro-mission, non-profit organization with a drive to empower communities in need while changing the lives of those who travel with us. Travelers in our signature program, Take a Trip Change A Life Program perform random acts of kindness (building homes and schools, and offering art and English programs) in orphanages, hospitals, and poverty stricken communities in developing countries, mainly in Dominican Republic. We not only improve lives, but engage with the community, go on hikes, swim in rivers and beaches, learn about the rich art, food, and music of the country. 


      Take a trip and change a life becuase the life that you change will be yours.



      Your Organizer


      CS
      Caritas Smile
      3 reviews
      Caritas Smile is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. It's retreat program- Take A Trip Change A Life is a soulful, purpose-driven, social enterprise dedicated to positively transforming lives and engaging with humanity through transformative travel experiences. Caritas Smile's mission is to inspire, educate and empower women and children worldwide by performing goal driven acts of kindness to communities in need in the US and in developing countries – mainly Domincan Republic.

      Reviews

      I've been on retreats around the world and several volunteer projects. This was the perfect blend of service and spirituality. Before each day of service, we had yoga and mindfulness practices in spectacular settings looking at mountains and beaches, Working with the children and their families was the highlight of the trip though. Language barriers don't matter when you're in service. As much as the kids enjoyed our activities and presents, though, the volunteers received the real gift. Every day, my heart was even more full. And I feel like I met a new extended family with the other volunteers. There's nothing I would have changed about this journey and I can't wait to do it again!
      By Marcia N for Dominican Republic Volunteer Trip - Moncion, Santiago Rodriguez on Jan 18, 2024
      LR
      I first met Sixcia Devine and heard about Caritas Smile & their adventures at a leadership program back in May 2022. The minute Sixcia started sharing with me the life-changing and important work she does in the world with her organization Caritas Smile, I knew this was something that I wanted for myself to personally experience, and then share with my community and the world. I had absolutely no idea how this was going to happen or what an extraordinary adventure this would be both personally and professionally but knew it was something I wanted to do. From the very start, Sixcia had organized a soul filled, heartfelt, well, organized, jampacked, service focused, professionally organized, life-changing, Journey for both the participants and the recipients. We spent several days learning about the culture of the country. We learned about their music, their foods, their interests, their needs, their struggles, their desires, and learned abo how we can be of service to this community right now. Many lives were changed throughout our time together. The lives of Caritas Smile‘s participants and every single soul that we touched along our journey. Then, the lives of those souls that have been, in some way, inspired or touched and the ripple effect of kindness and love that has been created is endless. I can’t wait to journey with Caritas Smile’s team again, and again, and again…
      By Laura R for Dominican Republic Volunteer Trip - Moncion, Santiago Rodriguez on Jan 18, 2024
      jl
      Jami Lieberman My heart is so full. Our team will be bonded for life. This week taught us so much about each other and our strengths both physically and emotionally. Our deep sense of wanting to make a better world one smile at a time. Thank you Sixcia Devine what a tower of intense love you are. The lessons we take with us are deep. Thank you Heather Marcus Berg Laura Waldorf Reiss Dahlia Chesnoff Lessne Carrie and max neumann Jodi Grobman Brunsvold Jonathan Ward Jodi Brunsvold JR Jose chano anji neulyn and angel baby. We are a #family 1h Like Reply 2 Sixcia Devine What a lifetime of Joy
      By jami l for Dominican Republic Volunteer Trip - Moncion, Santiago Rodriguez on Jan 11, 2024
      This review makes us smile! Thank you Jami for taking a trip and changing so many lives. From the waterfall hike to radomly surprising kids in need to the wild boat ride in the mangroves, you are a real superstar. We are missing you fun laugh! We're looking forward to a lifetime of friendship. We LOVE your LOVE!
      By Caritas Smile on Jan 13, 2024
      CS