Working with teenage boys in the Dominican Republic

Members from InspireDR Entrepreneur Program with their instructor, Eline, and Lluvia

My story at InspireDR started when I met Yann, director of InspireDR, at a karaoke bar in March 2024 while visiting the Dominican Republic. With a lot of enthusiasm, he told me about the organization, an NGO dedicated to empowering the boys of Cabarete. Visiting the next day, I immediately felt the positive energy of InspireDR—an organization with a clear mission, vision, and real impact! I was sold. After a brief return to the Netherlands, I came back to start as Social Enterprise Coordinator, helping to set up the entrepreneurship program for our senior members, affectionately called hombresitos (young men).

But wow—I was not fully prepared for the challenges and lessons ahead. Adjusting to a new country and language is one thing, but teaching Dominican teens in their own Dominican Spanish is another. During my first week, one of the boys arrived with his car and a massive boombox. I thought, “Oh God, how will I handle all this energy?” Who was I, as a Dutch woman, stepping into the unknown?

What followed were intense months of adjusting to the heat, the language, and the culture. It was a steep learning curve, and I’d like to share some of my reflections—for the benefit of InspireDR and anyone working with teenage boys in the Dominican Republic.

Put Your Ego Aside

One of my first lessons was to put my ego aside. Working for an NGO is fundamentally different than working for a business. At InspireDR, everyone is motivated to do the best for the boys. I wanted to do everything “right” from the beginning, but quickly realized that the path of service is full of learning moments.

For example, the boys didn’t make eye contact with me after a handshake—something considered disrespectful in my culture. But here, it wasn’t personal at all; it was simply different custom. Over time, I shared why eye contact matters to me, and now they practice it when greeting me. At the same time, I’ve learned to value their ways of showing respect and connection. Cabarete is a tourist town, so this exchange benefits them too, preparing them for interactions with visitors while honoring their own culture.

InspireDR's Entrepreneur Program in action.

Adjust to Their Way of Thinking

The Dominican Republic invests about 3.9% of its GDP into public education, which creates challenges for students in areas like self-reflection and critical thinking. That’s why I focused on helping the boys connect their goals with their personal interests.

When I asked one boy what he wanted to be, he said, “An accountant.” But when I asked why, he couldn’t explain beyond, “Porque—because.” We talked about what being an accountant really meant, and he realized it might not be his passion. Later, after team activities and personality tests, the boys were able to present careers that truly matched their interests—and explain why. Education is about planting seeds. We never know which ones will bloom, but we can do our best to plant good ones.

Community leader a guest speaker for InspireDR's Entrepreneur Program.

Importance of Male Role Models

I was struck to learn how many Dominican boys grow up without active father figures (Dominican Today, 2017). This absence can create emotional challenges, which is why bringing in male role models from the community felt so important.

We invited real estate agents, marketers, finance professionals—and even my own father—to share their knowledge and stories. Seeing Dominican men who are successful, values-driven, and community-minded inspired the boys deeply. I could see it in their eyes: having relatable role models matters.

Boys Don’t Like Being Told What to Do

Like teens everywhere, our boys value independence. At first, I struggled to get the same respect and attention I might have received back in the Netherlands. Over time, I learned it was less about culture and more about establishing trust, respect, and clear boundaries as a teacher.

One breakthrough was introducing a ball as a “talking stick.” It gave the boys structure while letting them stay active, and it worked beautifully. In our Cookies for a Cause project, I also learned to step back and let them take the lead. That shift—from “teacher” to “coach”—helped them grow in confidence and responsibility.

Patience, Lots of Patience

Dominican culture tends to be more relaxed with time. At first, I was frustrated when boys arrived late. But I realized flexibility was key—otherwise, I’d spend my energy being annoyed instead of teaching. Life here has its own rhythm. Rainstorms, last-minute changes, or unexpected opportunities are part of daily reality. Learning patience has been one of my greatest lessons.

Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

One of my favorite aspects of Dominican culture is the ability to find joy in the moment. Relationships, laughter, music, and dancing are central here. I’ll never forget spontaneous dance breaks in class—what better reminder that learning and joy go hand in hand?

InspireDR's Entrepreneur Program special project, Cookies for a Cause.

Looking Back

The most valuable part of this experience has been witnessing the growth of the boys. Watching them mature, step into leadership, and take pride in their projects has been incredible. And none of it would have been possible without the supportive InspireDR team.

When I started, I called our students hombresitos. Now that they’ve graduated from the program, I can truly call them hombres—ready for the next school of life.