WCDSB Dominican Republic Encounter With Faith and Hospitality 2015

Purpose The goal of the WCDSB is to provide an opportunity for students to experience… The goal of the WCDSB is to provide an opportunity for students to experience… FAITH FAITH SERVICE SERVICE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY JUSTICE JUSTICE SOLIDARITY SOLIDARITY

Host Encuentro Dominicano con Fe y Hospitalidad Encuentro Dominicano con Fe y Hospitalidad (Dominican Encounter with Faith and Hospitality) (Dominican Encounter with Faith and Hospitality)  Since 1991 Encuentro Dominicano has offered justice and faith based learning opportunities for both youth and adults from first world countries.  Encuentro Dominicano focuses on living in solidarity with the poor of the Dominican Republic.

Goal of Encuentro Dominicano A) Educate citizens of the developed world about the global structures that create and sustain poverty and injustice in our world (see the world through the eyes of the poor). A) Educate citizens of the developed world about the global structures that create and sustain poverty and injustice in our world (see the world through the eyes of the poor). B) Encourage its participants to become practitioners of peace and justice in their own communities (charity is not enough). B) Encourage its participants to become practitioners of peace and justice in their own communities (charity is not enough). C) Provide students with an opportunity to experience Catholic faith in action. C) Provide students with an opportunity to experience Catholic faith in action.

Where Dominican Encounter is located in the municipality of Consuelo within the province of San Pedro de Macoris.

ACTIVITIES Accommodation with local host families Accommodation with local host families Hospital and school visits – dialogue with high school students Hospital and school visits – dialogue with high school students Day trips to various cultural and historical centres Day trips to various cultural and historical centres Discussion with Free Trade Zone workers (sweat shops) Discussion with Free Trade Zone workers (sweat shops) Mass and conversation with religious brothers and sisters Mass and conversation with religious brothers and sisters Trip to a nearby beach Trip to a nearby beach

WHEN The team will depart on Friday November 20, 2015 and will return on Friday November 27, 2015 Please note that students will be missing one week of school and are responsible for informing their teachers prior to the trip and catching up on any missed assignments. Please note that students will be missing one week of school and are responsible for informing their teachers prior to the trip and catching up on any missed assignments.

Cost / Fundraising The cost of the trip will include:  Return flight (approx. $ )  Accommodation with host families, food, ground transportation (Approx. $600) The cost of the trip will not include:  Immunizations  Passport  Souvenirs / Gifts  Extra Snacks

Student Selection Criteria Students must: Students must: * Attend a WCDSB Secondary school * Be in grade 11 or 12 during the school year. * Have parental consent if under the age of 18 years old.

Selection Process Four to five students will be selected to represent each secondary school. Four to five students will be selected to represent each secondary school. The selection committee will be evaluating applications based on the following criteria: The selection committee will be evaluating applications based on the following criteria: Involvement in the school community Involvement in the school community Willingness to embrace a faith and culture based learning experience Willingness to embrace a faith and culture based learning experience A completed application that reflects good character and leadership potential A completed application that reflects good character and leadership potential

Questions?