The Batey Relief Alliance
The Batey Relief Alliance is apolitical and about improving human conditions. Volunteer professionals come from diverse backgrounds, and they work in situations, which challenge them to use their skills and knowledge of cultural sensitivities to the fullest. BRA regularly has overseas volunteer positions in the Dominican Republic for qualified candidates willing to work in 1) fund and organizational development, 2) health and education, 3) project implementation and coordination, 4) office management and administration, and community organizing. BRA’s healthcare volunteers, for example, are multilingual and composed of licensed/experienced professionals, medical students and residents in the fields of general medicines, HIV/AIDS, pediatrics, optometry/ophthalmology, dentistry, podiatry, gynecology, and parasitic/infectious/bacterial disease control. To register with BRA as a volunteer, please click on HOW TO APPLY.
BRA POLICIES
HEALTH VOLUNTEERS
If you are a licensed health care professional, medical student or resident with a strong desire to serve overseas, BRA’s Volunteer Program will match you with a challenging assignment in a setting where you can fulfill your personal goals and use your professional skills to make a meaningful difference.
PURPOSE OF THE BRA’S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The work of volunteers is an important component in BRA’s quest to improve the quality and increase the accessibility of health-care in the developing world. For example, volunteers travel to the Dominican Republic and address immediate health needs through direct patient care, and/or provide medical training to help upgrade existing skills of local health care providers or to students interested in participating in the humanitarian effort. The ultimate goals of our health volunteer placement are to providing basic health care — and to assist local personnel assuming the role of educator and provider, thus continuing the learning process.
Short-term volunteers
Throughout the year, BRA recruits healthcare volunteers who wish to work at its medical facilities in the province of Monte Plata – or to travel with the organization on ten-day medical relief missions inside the bateyes and other communities.
BRA generally recruits general practice physicians, dentists, optometrists, pediatricians, gynecologists, nurses and assistants, and other specialists in such areas as tropical medicine, public health and epidemiology. Midwives may also be needed in particular projects. Applicants should have at least two years professional experience in their areas of specialization. Please note that BRA may have field positions for medical students seeking internships or other forms of work experience. Under some other circumstances however, graduating students may be recruited to provide supervised care.
As a BRA volunteer, you will play a pivotal role in bringing lifesaving medical aid to some of the world’s most underprivileged people. The organization’s recipients are generally the batey populations living in extreme poverty. The dynamic, energetic, and culturally sensitive professionals we seek are encouraged to apply by submitting a copy of their resume and professional license along with a cover letter to BRA’s New York address or at bra@bateyrelief.org.
In general, it is an advantage for volunteers to have some experience of living or working in different cultural contexts. BRA operates with international teams, and a good command of English and/or Spanish is useful, as is a second or third language, such as Haitian Kreyol. Please note that humanitarian mission work is professionally demanding. You must be willing to work long hours and perform simultaneous tasks in hot temperatures.
All volunteers are responsible for their own travel expenses. BRA does not cover the costs of air travel, lodging and meals for short-term volunteers. Expenses incurred however are tax-deductible. Partners and families may sometimes accompany a volunteer on an overseas assignment. This is a rare occurrence, however, and depends on the organization’s need. Each request for accompanying dependent is assessed on an individual basis. Sometimes, missions can be found for a couple of which both partners are qualified to work for BRA. Please contact us in advance for more details.
Long-term volunteers
The duration for our long-term overseas assignments is a mininum of one year – and apply to health and non-health volunteers. To apply, volunteers must submit a copy of their resume and professional license, a letter stating clearly the reasons for appling and what they wish to accomplish, and three recommendation letters. All documents must be sent to BRA at P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230. To qualify, all health volunteers must be in good standing with their local medical practice boards; hold medical dregrees from accredidated medical schools in the US or Canada; and hold a professional license to practice medicine.
Qualified volunteers will be working primarily at BRA’s medical facilities in the province of Monte Plata. All volunteers may be fluent in Spanish, but must be team players; have ample experience working and living in very poor areas in developing countries; be culturally sensitive; and be willing to work hard in hot temperatures. Volunteers spending one full year may receive support through BRA in air fares, small monthly lodging and meals stipends, full insurance coverages, etc.
NON-HEALTH VOLUNTEERS
BRA invites and welcomes volunteer professionals to share their expertise with the organization in fund and organizational development — or in a particular project that matchs their professional background. By clicking on PROJECTS, you will have a general overview of where your skills might be needed.
HEALTH ADVICE FOR CANDIDATES
Preparing for a healthy experience overseas begins long before you leave home. The challenges encountered during your time overseas will demand high levels of both physical and emotional well-being. Taking care of yourself is important, and it starts with your preparation at home.
Find out all you can about your destination. Health care varies from country to country and between locations within a country. The health facilities may be less sophisticated than those in home land, and medical supplies and skilled doctors may be scarce. Living in a rural area with limited health facilities poses different risks than city living, and therefore takes more preparation. A little common sense, a positive attitude, knowing the health risks, and following precautions are all important steps in staying healthy during your BRA placement. If you have a condition which requires on-going medical treatment, set out your medical needs early so that you and BRA can explore possible accommodations based on your needs.
BRA will work with you to help you plan and prepare for your health needs during your posting. For long-term volunteers, early medical clearance through BRA ensures that you are fit to work overseas and that specific health concerns are considered before you leave your country. Further information on health preparation for both long and short-term volunteers can be found in the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov.
Since you are ultimately responsible for your own health and life, be prepared to take preventive measures. Read the CDC website carefully. Talk to friends and colleagues who have lived overseas. Consult a travel clinic. Read up-to-date health literature and attend a pre-departure briefing. The information will help you make wise choices to reduce your risk of becoming ill.
The information presented on this website does not replace seeking medical advice from a travel medicine expert who will take into consideration specific personal health issues, your country of assignment, age, etc. This information is offered as examples of areas to consider and especially actions that can be taken to prevent illness in the first place. Although we attempt to maintain current information, website updating may not keep pace with information changes.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
International Affairs — Development Associate
Position & Assignment: The Batey Relief Alliance–BRA seeks to recruit two (2) highly motivated and disciplined and learned interns to work as Development Associates. The assignment is: GRANT WRITER FOR PROJECTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI.
Responsibilities: Qualified candidates will perform the following tasks including, but not limited to, 1) analyzing and evaluating with BRA’s CEO organization’s overall program plans and objectives, 2) analyzing, evaluating and designing with BRA’s in-country Executive Director projects based on community needs, 3) conducting funder identification, grant research and proposal writing, 4) submitting proposals to prospective funders, and 5) following up with BRA’s CEO and prospective funders on pending proposals.
Qualifications:
Graduate or Ph.D. program in international/public affairs, Public Health/Policy Research.
Experienced in writing grant proposals for non-profit and NGO organizations.
Have excellent speaking, writing and computer skills.
Knowledgeable of global public health work and policies and humanitarian affairs.
Be bilingual (Spanish and English).
International Affairs — Field Liaison
Position & Assignment: The Batey Relief Alliance seeks to recruit one (2) highly motivated, disciplined and creative interns to work as Field Liaisons
Location: Haitian-Dominican Border (Pedernales, Dominican Republic and Anse-à-Pitres, Haiti)
AND
Santo Domingo and Monte Plata, Dominican Republic (offices & healthcare facilities)
Responsibilities: 1) coordinating with local groups to design and develop programs, 2) serving as a regional representative to local authorities, 3) performing on-the-ground research, 4) writing project reports, grant proposals, and press releases, 5) participating in meetings and conferences, 6) assisting with short-term medical missions, and 7) serving as a liaison between the CEO and local staff.
Qualifications and skills:
College degree
Background and interest in global health, international development, and community-based work
High level of proficiency in Spanish and English (Haitian Kreyol and/or French a plus)
Excellent speaking and writing and computer skills
Experienced in writing grant proposals for non-profit/NGO organizations (highly recommended)
Experienced in working abroad, particularly in a developing country (highly recommended)
Creativity and ability to work independently
International Affairs — Executive Aide
Position & Assignment: The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) seeks to recruit one (2) highly motivated, disciplined and learned interns to work as Executive Aides at its Dominican Republic’s Headquarters.
Responsibilities: Qualified candidate will perform following tasks: 1) set up mission trips, 2) translate correspondence and reports, 3) coordinate with local staff activities, 4) attend meetings, 5) perform research, 6) write project reports, grant proposals, and press releases, 7) coordinate volunteer efforts, 
assist with short-term medical missions.
Qualifications and skills:
College graduates in International/public Affairs, Public Health/Policy Research, etc.
Have experience in writing grant proposals for non-profit/NGO organizations
Have excellent speaking, writing and computer skills
Have knowledge of global public health work and policies
Be bilingual (Spanish and English a+)
Computer and internet literate (a+)
Have experience working abroad, particularly in a developing country
General Application process/requirements: Submit: 1) one letter from the dean accepting to offer credit for the internship, 2) two letters of recommendation (faculty/employer), and 3) a two—page personal statement about the candidate’s general interests in humanitarian work and special goals in the internship assignment.
Duration of Internship: One year.
Location of Internship: United States or Dominican Republic
Work schedules: 20 to 30 hours a week. Home-based work is acceptable, especially if in the US.
Compensation: The internship is non-paid. School credits can be arranged. Accepting candidates will be provided with the unique opportunity to be directly involved in international work, to use their academic skills and experience to enhance international living, and to use their internship work experience to pursue careers in government, international organizations, media, etc. BRA’s CEO will provide direct supervision.
If working in the Dominican Republic, interns will be awarded 1) free round-trip air fares, 2) $350 monthly stipends to cover basic lodging and meals, and 3) free insurances. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to individually secure additional funding to cover other basic needs in the foreign country.
Contact: Contact Ulrick Gaillard, CEO, (917) 627-5026, or bra@bateyrelief.org or bateyrelief@mindspring.com.
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