D.R.E.A.M. Project

In early January a group of 13 Latino students from Columbia College embarked on an adventure to change the lives of children in the Dominican Republic. We chose to work with the Dream Project, a non-profit organization already established in the northern part of the Dominican Republic. This service project was funded with generous support from some Columbia College trustees and other supporters. The Latino Alliance students also raised funds to make this project possible. Our journey lead us to rebuild the classrooms at Colonia Nueva elementary public school where 400 children attend. We cleaned, scraped, painted murals, and even re-furbished desks & chairs to make the classrooms useable again. Our group also set up afternoon art workshops for teenage community members.

After coming back from this amazing journey, Columbia College students are working on a documentary that gives life to our experiences and the significance of the service trip.

These photos you will see if you click here were taken through the eyes of the following participants:

Ana Maria Soto (Director of Latino Cultural Affairs)

Kimberly Weatherly (Director of African-American Cultural Affairs)

Awilda L. Rodriguez (Graduate Assistant)

Luis Chavez

Yessica Guerrero

Irma Iliana Gutierrez

Iliana Ramirez

Sandra Herrera

Joelly Mejia

Melissa Perez

Elio Reyes

Dianna Rodriguez

Mayra Rodriguez

Alexa Rubinstein

Abraham Velazquez Tello

Enjoy!