What You'll Teach and How to Prepare

Our entire curriculum is designed to provide a positive learning experience for youth. Volunteers are encouraged to focus on the fun experiences and accomplishments of the project rather than on attaining "perfection."

So what subject will you teach? The RWE staff will assess your skills and match you to a need. Don't worry, you don't have to be an expert. A positive attitude and warm smile are often more important than hard skills. Nevertheless, here are the subjects we focus on... So if you'd like to sharpen your skills beforehand, we've provided some resources.

WOODWORKING provides the opportunity for young people to experience the sense of accomplishment associated with completing a project. It also provides them with an opportunity to understand wood, construction techniques, design principles, and to develop hand-eye coordination. Youth will learn how to identify different hand tools and how to use them, measure and mark lumber, and sand and finish a project, as well as general safety procedures.

SEWING also provides young people with the opportunity to experience the sense of accomplishment associated with completing a project; to develop an understanding of textiles, construction techniques, and design principles, as well as hand-eye coordination. Research has found that youth who sew develop skills needed to become more creative thinkers.

COOKING is designed to help youth develop both project and life skills. Project skills are specific to the food's subject matter, such as learning how to bake cookies or make their favorite dish. Life skills relate to the process a member undergoes when participating in an activity and are useful long after the member completes a project. For example: learning nutritional values of foods and the importance of planning a menu.

Youth will also be able to learn about

  • Healthy food selection
  • Food safety
  • Food preparation
  • Careers in food

COMPUTER BASICS is designed to teach basic computer operation, including all the parts to a computer, as well as basic computer literacy. Youth will also learn basic Windows operations and beginning word processing.

 

What to expect in your travels

 
Expect to have a wonderful experience volunteering with Ready, Willing... Enable! Nevertheless, don't set your expectations too high regarding the amenities. This should give you an idea of how it's going to be.

Accommodations
All volunteers are housed in a secluded peaceful mountain location just outside the capital city. Rooms are double occupancy and all have a private bathroom. Your room, like most accommodations in the Caribbean, is not air conditioned. Our mountain location and the room fans keep the temperature comfortably cool.

Food and Diet
Three meals a day plus a snack will be provided. Our cooks feature the local cuisine of Dominica and a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from the island. Locally baked breads are also available. And fresh fish is always plentiful, as is locally raised chicken.

Getting Around
Transportation arrangements have been made by RWE to take you to and from the worksite and on a tour of the country and other excursions.

Volunteers who wish to venture out on their own during free time can make use of the minibuses, which make travel easy and inexpensive. The minibuses are known as "Transport" and are a great way to get to know the people. They travel the length and breadth of the island, and everyone uses them. The atmosphere is festive, with all seats occupied by all ages and reggae music in the air. The owners name their transports individually, and you can request them by name. These can be rented for private use as well. Many people travel on foot. It's probably the best way to experience the beauty of the island. Roads are narrow, however, which makes for a more interesting ride. Caution should be taken when walking. The buses are available from the capital city to where volunteers are staying should and normally run up until about 8:00 PM.

Mail
While in Dominica, you will be able to send postcards and letters back to the US. However Dominica, like many other countries in the world, does not offer the level of mail service you would expect in the United States. Therefore, it is very likely you will reach home before your postcard! Your mail may make it to the US before your return if sent during the first few days in Dominica.

Telephones
Long-distance communication via telephone is available and not terribly expensive. Phone cards are available for purchase in Dominica that allow for calling to the US at reasonable rates. US phone cards do not work here. Before you depart for Dominica, we will provide you with phone numbers in Dominica where friends and family members in the US may reach you in case of emergencies.

Internet Access
The West Indies enjoy some of the latest technological advances. We are very fortunate that the place our volunteers are staying is equipped with wireless service. We will have a computer available for volunteers to check their e-mail while in Dominica. You may wish to bring a laptop, but keep in mind the risks involved with bringing it on the trip, and RWE is not liable for its care.

Etiquette and Dress
The way our volunteers dress is important. We want our volunteers to be comfortable, but we must also demonstrate professionalism and respect at the worksite. Men and women can wear shorts, but we ask that they be long enough to cover the knee while standing. Light cotton clothing will be more comfortable for you. You may wear t-shirts as long as they do not have anything printed on them that may be deemed offensive. In general, we tell volunteers to remember that they are not only representing RWE but also the United States.

The Native Tongue
Though English is the official language of Dominica, most people speak French Creole (Kweyol - often referred to as patois).

There are many other differences between the US and Dominican versions of English. For instance, Dominicans never say "Good Evening" but greet one another after sunset with "Good Night." When greeting someone they may just say "OK" or "Alright." This is perfectly acceptable reply, and does not mean that the person does not want to interact with you.

Roseau, the capital city, is referred to throughout the island as "town." Thus you will hear people saying they are "going to town," when in fact they are going to the capital. All other municipalities are known as villages, regardless of their size.

Locals are often impressed and honored when visitors make the effort to learn basic greetings in Kweyol. In order to teach volunteers basic Kweyol, we will have a native speaker present during orientation.