In March, I will be going on a 5 month mission organised by the Dominican friars and Dom&Go. It will take me to the small isolated village of Pangoa, located in the south Peruvian Jungle, on the foothills of the Andes, and 8 hours north of Machu Pichu.

Photo: The children in front of the Pangoa Boarding Home

My mission is to take care of a boarding house of 50 children aged 11 to 19. I will be responsible for their well being, acting as a pastoral guide and friend. I will be giving English classes, music lessons, helping them with their school work and organising activities. I will also be directing laudes every day, in the absence of a priest. Finally I will be asked to participate in the maintenance of the boarding house, with chores ranging from painting to keeping the grounds clear of the ever invading jungle.

Photo: Rémi, my predecessor, giving music classes.

This boarding home was built by the Dominicans in order to allow students to go to school. From Matsiguenka and Queshua tribes, most of the children live approximately eight hours away from the nearest school by foot, making it impossible for them to go. The Pangoa boarding home allows these children to have access to national education.

Photo: A Pangoa child studying in the candle-lit room one evening.

The children living in the boarding home come from extremely difficult backgrounds. Our role is to bring help and guidance to children often mistreated and abused. I hope I will be able to bring at least a little joy into their lives. Because there is only one adult taking care of all 50 children, Dom&Go welcomes my help, and yours.

The living conditions in the middle of the jungle are precarious to say the least. With no drinkable water, barely any electricity and no cellular network, the most basic of needs become luxurious. Transportation is by boat and motorcycle. Because the nearest town is seven hours away, even water is rationed.

For this mission, I will need to raise a minimum of €2600. This budget will allow me to contribute to paying for my plane tickets, my transportation there, my vaccinations, my equipment to live safely 5 months in the jungle, the expensive malaria treatment, and other vital expenses (more details below). Exceeding this budget will also allow me to buy extra school materials, paper, pencils, and small music instruments, for the children.

Help me help the children !

Who am I?

My name is Charles. I am 21 years old, from Paris. Throughout my life, I have lived in Switzerland, the US England and France. Singing is one of my greatest passions. When I was 10, I joined the American Boychoir School, which allowed me to perform more than 600 concerts in 47 American states out of 50. Last year I graduated from Durham University with a degree in Politics, International Relations and Music. On a gap year, I have decided to be of service to the Church and the Dominican Community by helping those in need. By donating to me, you will allow me to give a helping hand in Pangoa, where they desperately need it.

Who is Dom&Go?

Dom & Go: the international volunteering of the Dominicans

In 2000, the Dominican friars gathered in Assembly in Manila to found Dominican Volunteers International (DVI), allowing young volunteers to help the Dominican brothers and sisters in their mission. In 2015, the brothers of the Province of France founded Dom & Go, in order to welcome French volunteers to join the international Dominican volunteering experience.

Community & Mission

• Dom & Go sends young French volunteers to Dominican communities abroad.

• Dom & Go welcomes volunteers from other countries to Dominican communities in France.

• Each volunteer participates in the community life of the brothers and sisters welcoming him/her.

• Each volunteer receives a mission, related to his/her talents and skills.

Mission and community are the two pillars of Dominican volunteering. In 2016, more than fifteen volunteers were sent on missions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America and Europe, for missions from 3 months to 1 year. Each volunteer follows at least one adapted training session before leaving. A sending celebration marks the departure of the volunteers on their mission.

Dominicans: 800 years of mission.

Since 1215, Dominican brothers and sisters have traveled the world to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. They strive to follow their founder Dominique's footsteps, as they are sent out to love and care: "since he loved everyone, everyone loved him." The Dominicans live in communities, where they share a life of prayer and study in a spirit of poverty and joy. They are helped by lay people who join their different missions: teaching, chaplaincy, caring for people, human development ... By joining us as a Dom & Go volunteer, you too can participate in this great adventure ...

Video: a Dom&Go volunteer around Pangoa and Barranquilla, on the Urubamba river.

For more information on Dom&Go, and the Dominicans in charge of more missions like this one, please visit: http://www.domandgo.fr

Mission Dom&Go au Pérou