OCHS Alumni to Volunteer in Dominican Republic

After returning from a charity mission to the Dominican Republic six years ago, two Virginia Tech students vowed to do something to help the impoverished children in Puerto Plata. Project Esperanza was born.

Following in their footsteps are four 2010 Ocean City High School graduates, one who attends Virginia Tech, where the organization is based.

Kelsey Boylan along with Marie Weatherill, Vince DeSantis and Chriss McCall are all busy with college studies, but they will take time from their schedules in March for the trip. 

"When the group of us go there in March, we will be leading educational arts and crafts that cover topics such as a healthy diet, hydration and germs. We have also set up to teach a lesson about the Holocaust to those in the boys' home, generally ages 15 to 19," says Boylan, who has made the same the trip before.

In addition to teaching, the group hopes to install rain barrels on the sides of homes to collect and store rainwater, so it can later be used as drinking water. The cost is $80 per setup, and donations are needed. The four have made a plan to distribute bookbags upon arriving to the area, as an addition to the group's goals.

All of the students agree that it is important to help the impoverished because their needs are so overlooked.

"It seems as though people tend to try and sweep the poor and underprivileged under the carpet, because frankly it's easier than doing anything about it. By going on this trip, I hope to end this trend of conscious ignorance towards the impoverished, even if it is on a personal level," says Chris McCall.

Marie Weatherill and Vince DeSantis were active members of the Ocean City High School's Student Council.

"After coming home from this trip, I will be thankful for all that I have," Weatherill says. "In today's world, many of us take for granted our ability to go to college and pursue our dreams. For many in the Dominican Republic this is an unreal reality." 

DeSantis relays a message that it isn't hard to help out and he hopes the four will set an example for others. 

"We want people to appreciate the inequalities in standards of living in areas close to the United States."

After graduating from college, the students have many aspirations. DeSantis wishes to attend graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Weatherill wants to travel and find a job that makes a difference in people's lives. McCall has hopes of becoming an English teacher or writer, and Boylan wants to travel for a year and possibly find an internship in another country.

The projects are funded primarily by donations from the Virginia community near Virginia Tech. But Project Esperanza has received some help from Ocean City.

Books bags and donations towards the rain barrels are needed. To help these students reach their goal, email Boylan at kelseyb3@vt.edu.