ISI Timmy Club Completes a Week of Service, Culture, and Connection in the Dominican Republic

During the last week of school, a group of ISI students traveled to Montecristi, Dominican Republic, for a week of hands-on service and cultural immersion with Timmy Global Health. The group partnered with the local nonprofit Banelino and community members in Batey Isabel, working together to renovate a community center that will serve as a valuable space for local families.

Each day began with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the worksite. Under the Caribbean sun, and in nearly 90% humidity, students took on challenging construction tasks. They cleared debris, mixed cement, hauled cinder blocks, stripped paint, and prepared the building for a full renovation and repainting, as well as delivering supplies they had collected through donations beforehand. Over the course of the week, the team’s confidence and collaboration grew. What began as small, fragmented tasks evolved into a shared vision taking shape. On the final workday, the group painted the entire structure and left their handprints and initials on the front of the building, a symbol of their lasting connection to the space and the people.

While the physical labor was significant, it was the human connection that left the deepest mark. Students shared meals inside the homes of community members, communicated across language barriers, and slowly formed bonds with the local construction team. By the end of the week, there was laughter, shared inside jokes, and social media exchanges. What started as instructions and nods had transformed into genuine community and connection.

Beyond the work site, the students immersed themselves in the region's culture and history. They toured local museums, explored a banana plantation and a salt mine, and took a train tour of Montecristi. One day, they hiked through El Morro National Park to take in breathtaking views of the coastline. On their final day, the group visited nearby islands by boat, swam in the mangroves, explored a sandbar, and even caught a glimpse of Haiti across the water.

The trip ended with a final group reflection and an evening of cultural dancing, including merengue and bachata. Students shared what the week had meant to them, how their perspectives had shifted, what they had learned about teamwork, and how they had grown from the experience.

In just one week, the group built more than just a building; they built trust, community, and lifelong memories. The project they completed in Batey Isabel will serve many in the years to come, but the lessons of service, resilience, and connection will stay with the students forever.

Special thanks to Timmy Global Health, Banelino, and the people of Montecristi for welcoming our students with such generosity and warmth!