Financial Disclosure for Volunteer
Service

The following disclosure is made by us in regard
to the cost of your volunteer service.   We are
thankful for your willingness to work in our
community and to use the Foundation to channel
your energy and good will.

There are two types of volunteers, those who live in
Las Terrenas or come to the area on vacation and
want to volunteer some hours.  There are no fees
or charges for this group and we are thankful for
any service time provided by such individuals.    

The other type of volunteers are those who come
for specific programs with the Foundation,
generally stay in the volunteer house, Casa Paz, or
come to work exclusively with us.  The following
applies to the latter group:

  • Program fee:  We charge a flat fee of only
    US$200 for all volunteers staying 15 days or
    more ($225 for 2009), US$100 for volunteers
    staying 14 days or less (US$125 for 2009).  
    Volunteers are given placement, orientation and
    local logistical assistance.  Unfortunately the
    Foundation lacks the funds to support
    volunteers in any way, so volunteers are
    responsible for all other expenses during their
    time of service (food, lodging, transport,
    medical, etc.).
  • Housing:  There are many housing options in
    Las Terrenas, most of which can be found
    here.  Other locations not listed there are also
    available and are best discovered on your own.  
    Some of these locations may offer discount
    rates to our volunteers.
©2007 Fundación Mahatma Gandhi.  Todos los derechos reservados.
We invite you to consider using the Foundation's volunteer house , Casa Paz,
which costs significantly less than comparable hotel rooms and apartments in
town (as low as $5-7 a day).  The facility operates on the basis of shared rooms
with shared baths.  There are no single occupancy rooms available, but if the
house is not full volunteers could be placed in single rooms upon request.  
Additional details appear here, please read.

  • Food and cooking expenses:  a plate of local dominican food (plate of the
    day) costs $3-5 depending of where you go.  The plate usually consists of
    rice, red kidney beans and meat (beef, chicken or pork).  Drinks are extra.  
    Depending on your lifestyle and dietary needs, your food expenses may run
    $5-25/day when using the kitchen in Casa Paz.  There's a toaster, blender,
    and a stove, as well as a refrigerator in the house.  If you lodge elsewhere,
    some places may offer breakfast with your rental, or meals in the $5-15 range
    (leaving Lobster out!).  There are many bakeries and small colmados and
    barras (small stores) which often offer sandwiches and juice shakes).  The
    colmados offer basic fooc items and drinks, like a convenience store.
  • Medical expenses:  Volunteers are responsible for all medical expenses and
    for optional health/medical insurance which should include medical
    evacuation and any other needed coverage to send you home in the event of
    illness or death.  There's a local public hospital with limited emergency and
    medical services.  A new private small medical center has opened a block
    away from Casa Paz, with emergency services and there are other physicians
    in town.  Emergency medical transport is available through DomRescue.
  • Transport:  There are taxis in town mostly for tourist transport (and they can
    be expensive).  There are also moto-taxis, pick-up trucks and vans for
    transport in the local area. The moto-taxis are used for local transport in town
    by many folks.  We encourage you to walk as the town is not very big and
    recommend that you use a helmet if riding on moto-taxis.  (Other transport
    info here).  We may be able to make some bicycles available for volunteer
    use during their stay.
  • Banking:  There are five banks in town and an equal amount of ATM
    machines.  There's also an office of Western Union.  The town is mostly a
    cash-economy environment with extremely limited use of credit cards, other
    than its use in ATM machines.
  • Donations:  We appreciate all donations of books, library materials and
    educational materials (see a list here) which can be used for your own
    activities during your stay or at some other times.  Donations of tax-deductible
    money are accepted via ACES North America in Pennsylvania.  These
    monies are to be used for project expenses under strict IRS standards.  It
    takes 5-10 working days for funds to be received on site.  If you’re interested
    in making a donation of goods for shipping to the Dominican Republic
    (containers are sent every so often to the D.R.) or if you wish to donate funds
    for projects (including your own) please contact ACES at http://www.
    acesnorthamerica.com/ and specify that your donation if for the Fundacion
    Mahatma Gandhi projects.

Please notice that at the present time the Fundación Mahatma Gandhi is in the
process of obtaining official government recognition in the Dominican Republic,
that it does not pay salary or benefits to any of its board members or officers,
that most costs for operations are covered by its founders or local donors, and
that donations are used 100% on specified projects.  If you have questions
about our finances or about how donations are used please feel free to ask us
at correo@fundacionmahatmagandhi.com.
Estimated costs (in US$):
FMG fee:  $125-225
Food: $5-20/daily
Lodging: $5-15/daily
Local transport: $2-4/daily

Send your program fee and
housing payments to:

Annette Snyder
1035 NE Hawthorne
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Make check or money order
payable to Annette Snyder.
Fotos de voluntarios,
Volunteer photos
aquí / here.
Fundación Mahatma Gandhi
Visión Global, Desarrollo Local
Mahatma Gandhi