VCU TRiO, DMC student groups take on the Dominican Republic

Mar 18, 2025 - 17:25

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VCU TRiO, DMC student groups take on the Dominican Republic

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) student groups, TRiO and Developing Men of Color (DMC), participated in a service-learning, study abroad trip in the Dominican Republic.

TRIO is a federally funded student program that supports low-income, disabled and first-generation undergraduate students. DMC aims to support the growth of young men of color.

Mid-march, students traveled to the Dominican Republic to learn more about human security alongside 7 Elements (7e), a local organization that works to create sustainable communities.

7e focuses on human security and introducing people to those issues. The 7 elements of human security are economic, environmental, food, health, political, personal and community.

The students were able to live like locals in the community of Las Canas in Gaspar Hernández. As part of their service-learning aspect of the trip, the young travelers helped build a bench for a basketball court, cement the foundation for a medical center and participate in a medical brigade.

(Photo: Shay Lumpkin/Virginia Commonwealth University)

"This experience opened my eyes to the many resources that I have regular access to -- the things that are normal in the U.S., but rare in the Dominican Republic," said Mikayla Lindsey, a VCU TRIO student.

The students said this trip was a great, eye-opening experience.

"I have learned firsthand the shortcomings and struggles physicians face in countries such as the Dominican Republic, lacking the required medical resources to adequately address the community," said Mahamed Abdulkadir, a VCU DMC member.