A Fathom™ journey is about personal transformation, too. Most on-board activities will be not just a learning experience, but also a chance to explore your own depths. And a chance to spend some meaningful time with people who share your view of a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

The Adonia is a modern ship with a full range of amenities. And you’re invited to take advantage of every one of them. You’ll have ample leisure time to spend at the pool, in the gym, at the spa, or tucked into a comfortable chair in the on-board library.

The more you know before you go ashore, the greater your impact is likely to be. On board, you’ll have a chance to learn some basic Spanish, see documentary films about everyday life in the Dominican Republic, and participate in other activities to help prepare you for the great adventure to come.

Impact Education
Where are the needs? And how can you help? On board, you’ll have a chance to explore those questions in depth, to focus more clearly on where you can make the greatest impact during your time onshore, and to connect with like-minded travelers to do some community-building of your own.

Impact Activity Training
During your outward journey, workshops and other on-board activities will help prepare you for your impact experience and help you learn how to apply your skills and talents in the most effective way. For example, you could learn about water shortages in developing countries and put yourself in the role of an aid worker to improve access to clean water. When it’s time to begin your chosen impact activity in earnest, this kind of on-board training will enable you to hit the ground running.

In the nearby villages, is where you’ll put your skills, your passions, and your shipboard orientation and training to good use. For three days, you’ll work alongside local residents and Fathom's partner organizations, adding your unique input to projects that focus on improving environmental, educational and economic conditions for the aspirational and hard-working people of either the Dominican Republic or Cuba. Yes, of course they’ll be learning from you. But the chances are that you’ll be learning a lot from them, too.

Impact Projects in the Dominican Republic

Impact - Education

• English Learning: With the high demand in English education, Fathom makes a great impact with school-age to adult learners. You'll work with both teachers and students on activities designed to create interests and excitement in the learning process and aid in language retention. For adult-learners you'll be able to participate in Community English activities that help bolster employment opportunities for lower income adults.
• Creative Arts, Music: Although children who participate in creative programs have shown increased attendance, higher reading comprehension and writing skills, and stronger problem-solving and creative-thinking capacities, the Dominican public school system has limited creative outlets for students. You'll have the opportunity to be part of an innovative summer camp program designed to tackle the problem head-on.

Impact - Environmental
Potable water and reforestation are integral to the livelihood and health of Dominicans. Fathom has joined forces with established organizations and local artisans to produce and distribute clay water filters. Reforestation efforts involve activities that range from the simple potting of tree seedlings and transporting plants, to assisting local Dominicans with establishing and managing tree nurseries, to the more strenuous efforts of cultivation and planting.

Impact - Economic Development 
The efforts for economic development allow you to contribute to the work of local women's cooperatives. You can participate in the complete product cycle of chocolate production: from planting and cultivating of the organic cacao trees, to preparing the raw materials. You can contribute to an Arts and Crafts Production Cooperative that works with recycled paper. Further economic contribution is made through the Host Family Program designed to give local families access to the tourism economy and give you the opportunity to get to know a Dominican family. There are also opportunities to contribute to the Healthcare system through Special Needs Rehabilitation programs as well as Home Improvement programs where you can help to provide better living conditions to participating families' homes.

Cultural Immersion Experiences in Cuba
Your time on the island is intended to be a true cultural immmersion experience – part learning, part sharing, part pure enjoyment, part pure enjoyment, as you get to know the Cuban people face to face. In Havana you'll meet business owners and workers and see, firsthand, why current restoration efforts.