ARMANDO ROSENBERG ORPHANGEORCHID FOUNDATION

Phi Kappa Theta’s Alternate Spring Break to the Dominican Republic

Entrance to Hogar Escuela Armando Rosenberg

Even though Hogar Escuela Armando Rosenberg wasn’t the biggest school or orphanage, it had a cozy feeling that really allowed everyone to feel welcome.

Even though Hogar Escuela Armando Rosenberg wasn’t the biggest school or orphanage, it had a cozy feeling that really allowed everyone to feel welcome.

Orphanage Center Complex

Class Room

It’s easy to see that these students were not given the best studying environment, but they never took their education for granted.

Play Ground and Garden

The playground is an area where the children loved to spend their free time. The joy in their faces when we pushed them on the swings was priceless. Next to the garden was where we stored our equipment (paint, brushers, rollers, etc.).

Painting the Complex

On the first day of arrival, we set out to buy paint for one of the buildings, and used that paint for the remainder of the week painting a large side of the main orphanage building. This was our main task through out our stay in the Domincan.

Fixing Some Desks

From big projects such as painting the building to small things such as fixing these desks, we tried to lend a hand in any task at the Hogar Escuela Armando Rosenberg

Children at the Orphanage

Our experience with the children at the Armando Rosenberg Orphange was cherished. We were embraced with kind hearts and freindship. Our interaction with the children on a daily basis was our favorite and most memorable part of the trip.

Spending time with the Children

While not all of the students lived at the orphanage, we still got a chance to spend time with both a majority of the residents and students. We shared meals with the children and hung out during their recess and afternoons.

Brothers with Antonio, our host

Antonio was the brothers’ host through out the trip. He spoke both English and Spanish and supervised the volunteer work around the grounds. He had a great sense of humor and kept us motivated to work even when the weather got scorching hot. One of our best memories with Antonio was when he brought out a long stick with some cardboard attached on the end. We ended up lighting the cardboard on fire and “incinerating” some bee hives because they were in dangerous proximity to the kids.

Playtime with the Children

In this image is Micheal Monaco 10’ playing baseball with some of the younger children after school. Despite the need for improved play grounds, children at A.R.O. love playing sports during free time. This was a key bonding time between Phi Kap brothers and the children.

Playing with the Kids

In this picture is senior, Pat Miller. While this was his final spring break as a college student, Pat made the decision to make it an alternate spring break, and found his time at the A.R.O to be priceless. He favorite memories of the trip were during their recess.

The children’s entertainment

A major portion of the children’s free time was spent singing and acting. Not only did the children embrace us as friends but they also wanted to put on shows and sing.

Team USA playing High School

Area Surrounding the Orphanage

While the area around the Orphanage wasn’t the best, the Orphanage itself was a safe haven where the children could play and get an education. There were many similar areas to the ones in these pictures in the Dominican Republic.

Hotel Balcony and Hotel Grounds

This is where we could come back after a hard long day of volunteer work to cool off. The weather in the D.R. was beautiful and amazing.

Sites in the D.R.

Christopher Columbus’ Son’s House

The tourist attractions in the D.R. were fun because we got to see and learn about a different country’s culture and history.

Final Product of Painting

While painting the building was hard work, the transition that we saw from the beginning of our project to the end made the entire process worth while. Antonio, our host, was very pleased and appreciative of our hard work.

Goodbye Pictures

Prior to our departure we were able to get one last picture with Antonio and one of the Orphanage nuns.

Last Picture Before Departing: Tony our Taxi Driver

Although it was sad to leaving the A.R.O and the Dominican Republic, our experience was life-changing.

This was the last picture we took before departing, with our driver, Tony.

A Thank You From Sister Doris Rios

The END

A special thanks to the Orchid Foundation and our Alumni Board for making this trip possible.