The Young Leader

by

Dominican Republic – Spring Break Service Adventure – March 30 – April 6, 2019 – Combined Track

Time Capsule Letter

Hola hola!

Time goes so fast! We cannot quite believe it has been so long since our amazing week in the Dominican Republic ended. Me and Junior wanted to say hello, and remind you of your lasting impact here in our communities.

We have fond memories of waking up to the smells of pancakes and the loud squawks of the neighbouring goats and chickens. Of heading on our way to work sites and hospital visits to the sounds of merengue and bachata, passing past the palm trees, wandering cows in the glorious sunshine. Of teaching each other dance moves, swapping stories about homelife and fussing over Ernie and Oscar. And  of course the adventure days, the beautiful waters, delicious fresh virgin pina coladas and white sandy beaches. 

We know that you guys are probably back with school, but we wanted you to know that we will forever remember the laughs and good times that we shared. I hope that you know your time spent in the Dominican Republic did truly make a positive impact in Polanco, La Tierra and Las Canas.

You will forever be a part of the work done at Las Canas, you guys nearly completely finished  the hard work in building a bathroom for Alejandro and his family. Having access to a bathroom is so integral to overall health, access to sanitation and dignity. The local children will always remember that Sunday they spend helping you all hammer in nails and collect bottles for the walls. Our vitamin distribution in Polanco was a huge success, we got to give integral supplements to 48 children and elderly community members. Not only that,  you all go down in history as one of the most successful and the FIRST medical brigade the community La Tierra ! Well done guys! Thank YOU for all your effort and hard work.

We hope that you take the skills and knowledge from this trip into all aspects of your life, and that you remain to be globally engaged, hardworking and motivated to make a difference to the wellbeing of people all over the world. We loved hearing about all of your stories, hopes and dreams, and really do hope to see you here again one day.

Not to mention the hard work you guys did, we also had so much fun! You guys made the group as special as it was by being so close knit and inclusive.

You were a superstars throughout the entire program, your comments and questions during reflection time were impressive. Keep expressing yourself and those bright thought you have.

You were amazing! Please stay connected!

Abrazos,

Hilary and Junior

 

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts! 

Saturday March 30, 2019

Hello friends and family!
All students arrived safe and sound to the Indalo Lodge. After unpacking and settling in, we all headed for a tour around are home base, to introduce the students to the grounds and give history of the organisation. After a traditional dinner of ‘la bandera’ chicken, rice,beans, veg and fruit, we headed to the beach to watch the sun set over the water.
We had a very successful orientation and ice breaker session. The students all engaged and asked lots of questions. Our leaders for the following day were volunteered and prepared for the day ahead. I am very excited for this week with this wonderful group!
Saludos!
Sunday March 31, 2019

Dear parents,

The first day of this truly life changing experience opened our groups eyes more ways than we ever thought imaginable.  Allowing everyone to engage in building a newly structured bottle house, eating new exotic foods, and successfully passing our swim tests made for one awesome day! We woke up for breakfast at 8:15 before leaving for our 20 minute walk through the rural community which we worked in.

We worked a long and hard 3 hours, hammering nails, cutting chicken wire, collecting bottles, and playing with the children. We headed back to our lodge at 12:00 for our first lunch and to relax for a short hour before we headed back to work hard for another 3 hours. Once we ended our time at the bottle house, we were all exhausted and in need of showers. We were hot, sweaty, and covered in dirt, but we still smiled and were very happy with what we accomplished.
Coming back to the lounge, we got to swim in the pool, lay in the hammocks, and learn about what 7E stands for. We had an in depth talk after a delicious meal and sang happy birthday to one of our group members, Cam! We had such an amazing day and can’t wait to see what else the Dominican has to offer, and what more we can give to this beautiful island!
Love Camile and Cam (Birthday boy 🙂 )
Monday April 1, 2019

Dear Parents,

Today was our second and final day working in the village. We continued to build the walls of the bathroom, and then finished up filling the walls in with concrete. The weather was very humid and sunny but smiles were even brighter:) We got to hang out with the locals and hear their amazing stories. Once we had finished the walls of the bathroom, we discovered ground mangoes. We washed and peeled the fresh Dominican fruit, a refreshing snack.
On our walk back to the lodge, we stopped at a local colmado (market). We enjoyed the sweet treats while taking a relaxing walk along the beach. Dinner consisted of delicious rice, meat and curry. Just before our evening reflection, we gazed upon a beautiful cotton candy sunset. The night finished with a quick debate about “The Economy vs. Human Rights”. We are all so excited for tomorrows adventure day!
Love Aine and Yohana (Hey Moms)

Tuesday April 2, 2019

Buenas noches!
the fourth day of our adventure was full of fun! we woke up earlier than usual this morning at 6:50 so we could go to the beach and do some yoga.It was pretty out there and so relaxing, it was an amazing way to start our day. Next we hoped in the bus and drove an hour to a local beach where we went snorkeling, tanning, for massages and braided in our hair, and even shopped in a village.
We all had so much fun and got tons of little souvenirs for memories. After the beach we went to the local supermarket where most of us experienced swapping our currency so we could buy snacks for our room and movie night which took place in our lodge tonight. We all got comfortable and relaxed while watching a movie on mental health issues. This trip has been so so fun and we can’t wait for many more adventures!

Muchos saludos

-Sarah, Arielle

Wednesday April 3, 2019

Dear Parents,

Today we went to a local hospital only ten minutes away from the lodge where we got to see the primary level of health care in the Dominican Republic. There we got to ask the doctor any questions we had, from how much she is paid to what a typical day at the clinic is like.
After a filling lunch of rice, salad, fruit, and pork we ran through a simulation at the lodge in preparation for the vitamin distribution to follow. Once we arrived and set up a pop up clinic the next few hours were very busy. We saw fifty patients and practiced our Spanish while taking the families vitals and recording medical history.
Once we returned to the lodge we rested well before eating dinner. After dinner we watched a movie on the divide of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the interactions between these communities today. The movie was very moving and sent many of us to tears for the Haitians of this nation who are currently facing discrimination.
Overall the day was full of new experiences and our group really came together to achieve allot.
Serenity Fields
Thursday April 4, 2019

Hols padres!

We have just ended day 6 of our adventure abroad! This morning, we woke up and ate an awesome breakfast consisting of: eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Then, we went to a local community to setup  the medical brigade for locals to come and receive necessary medications and vitamins. We literally operated a hospital on our own! We had different sections of the brigade, including registration, vitals, interviews, doctor shadowing, pharmacy help, and data input.

The view from the brigade was beautiful and super super green! We got to eat nachos halfway through the brigade, and finished our hard work before taking a walk through the local community. We then came back to the lodge, getting free time to go by the beach or hangout in the hammocks.

After eating dinner around 7 PM, Hilary explained how we are able to stay involved with GLA, different volunteering opportunities, and what it means to be a global citizen. Each day we learn something new from our experiences and our leaders! We love this tropical island and don’t want to leave!

Saludos,

Camille and Vincent
Friday April 5, 2019

Hey parents,

Today was sadly our last full day before departure. Although your kids miss you, they are all very sad to leave. Today we started of the day very early and saw the sunrise on the beach. We then took an hour and 45 minute bus ride to Dudu Lagoon, where we adventured in the caves and swam in the bright blue lagoons. We had a delicious lunch and then voyaged to the next beach.

We all had non alcoholic pina coladas in pineapples while we soaked in the natural beauty of the beach. When we got back to the lodge, we went to the beach again and watched the sunset as we said our final goodbyes to the ocean. We then gave out our paper plate rewards, personalized for each student and our amazing mentors. We finished off the night by stargazing by the pool. Our final goodbyes tomorrow will be hard, but the amazing memories from this trip will last forever.

Olivia and Sarah

by

Dominican Republic – Spring Break Service Adventure – April 6 – April 13, 2019 – Combined Track

Time Capsule Letter

Hey Loves,

We hope you are all happily settling in to your new/old lives at home! We miss you and wanted to send you an update from Las Canas.  We completed the bottle house and Alejandro’s family has moved in. Slow but sure, we finished up the walls and taught newcomer students to tackle problems. The base you set for us truly helped us in continuing this work.

We often reminisce on your maturity and kindness. You all surprised us with the way you tackled new and uncomfortable situations. Your thoughtful queries during discussions and work days showed us the ability you have to analyze your situation and respond in an appropriate and impactful way. Whether we were figuring out work strategies or enjoying a piña colada at the beach you all managed to convey true personality and caring. 

Our little family turned out to be amazing. Remember the night we had a campfire on the beach and danced bachata? Or all the laughs we had with Loubens? We hope you can remember the moments you felt happy, uncomfortable, inspired, and determined. We hope you carry those memories with you and use them to empower you to stay globally engaged. 

Reach out if you need anything!

With love,

Leslie, Hilary, and Loubens

P.S. #HunterforPresident

 

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts! 

Saturday April 6, 2019 

We have arrived in the Dominican Republic! We are excited to start new projects, meet new friends, and take in some sun. Stay tuned for updates!

Sunday April 7, 2019

Hello All,

Today we all went to a locals home to build a bottle house. The bottles help maintain a comfortable temperature for the residents and also are very good for the environment, they are used for a useful purpose and thus taken out of landfill! We layered plastic bottles into the walls then covered them in mesh and cement. Throughout the day we met many locals and all worked together and we were very productive.

This evening we spent about an hour and a half taking and learning about the insecurities that countries like the Dominican Republic face. Some of these include health, food, political and many others. Talking about these issues really made us realize that we take so  many things for granted in the United States. We are feeling reflective and very grateful.

See you soon,

Mikayla and Rubby

Monday April 8, 2019 
Hello Families,
Today we went back to the bottle houses that we started working on yesterday. We were able to finish the projects that we began working on the day before. Today was filled with smiles and hard work, and we even got to make friends with some of the locals from the community. We focused on nailing in the final chicken wire screens, as well as cementing the bathroom and outdoor walls.
Throughout the day we were brought various fruits from the locals such as bananas and mangoes (which were all super yummy)… After our work day we went back to the lodge and relaxed for about an hour. We were greeted at 7pm with delicious coconuts from Alejandro and Marcos, two guys from the community we helped today.
We are all exhausted from the long day we had, but we realized how fortunate we truly are. For today’s reflection we created teams and had a debate over whether or not the Dominican Republic should be allowed to build a sports arena in a batey. This taught us about the complicated relationship between the DR and Haiti. Overall, today was very productive and we learned a lot about the communities and countries of the island.
Hasta la vista,
Lindsay & Cooper 🙂
 
Tuesday April 9, 2019
Today we had a really fun and adventurous day! We went to a beautiful beach where we went snorkeling. After, we relaxed on the beach where we ate pizza and drank local drinks. Some examples of drinks would be the pina colada, or the virgin lime margarita. Some students slept on the beach while others took photos, read their books, or talked to locals.
After, we went shopping in the local markets, where we bought local Dominican artwork, t-shirts, and caps. After we went to the market and bought some snacks. Upon returning to the lodge we read our books and hung out by the pool while we learned French from Loubens; a local director who speaks five languages. After learning French, we ate dinner and watched a movie about the unfair drug monopoly that Western companies hold in African and Asian countries. After we began to settle for sleeping and discussed the movie.
Written by Vishnu Raghavan and Alicia Tonachio
Wednesday April 10, 2019

Hi everyone!

Today we prepared for Friday’s medical brigade. We began by taking a small quiz about both Dominican and Haitian health. We were trained and then split up into groups to preform a simulation. Within the simulation we went through the registration process, how to take vitals, interview patients, as well as how prescriptions are distributed. Following the simulation we visited a local health care facility where we met with a doctor and learned more about health care in the Dominican and received a tour of the small facility.

After our visit we were surprised with an ice cream stop on our way back to the lodge, where we were able to experience Dominican ice cream! We concluded the day by watching a video that educated us about Las Hispaniola and its divided Dominican and Haitian communities. Following the video we learned first hand about the hardships Haitians face while living in the Dominican Republic. Loubens, a Haitian GLA staff member, spoke of his experiences while living in both countries.  Looking forward we are all very excited for tomorrow at Dudu Lagoon!

Madison and Mary Jane

Wednesday April 11, 2019
Hi all,

Today was a fun and relaxing day at the Dudu Lagoon and a beach. Our day started with a turbulent forty minute bus ride to Dudu Lagoon. There were multiple freshwater lagoons along with rock caves. We had fun jumping from the rocks into the lagoon. After a delicious lunch we headed off on another bus ride to La Playa Preciosa (Precious Beach). At the beach there were several vendors who sold us jewelry and helped us practice our Spanish, French and German. We bought earrings, bracelets, and necklaces made from shark teeth and beautiful metals. Some of us enjoyed the warm and refreshing ocean while others took naps on the beach.

Afterwards, we returned to the lodge where we read our book, played cards, swam in the pool, and spoke with the cooks. Also, we got scrubs for our medical brigade tomorrow. After, we had local soft tacos for dinner. After we discussed the racial tensions between Dominicans and Haitians. Then we watched a Ted Talk about being a global citizen and how we can implement what we learned at home. To complete our day, we listened to music and played cards.

by

Dominican Republic – Spring Break Service Adventure – April 13 – April 20, 2019 – Global Health Track

Time Capsule Letter

Dear Global Health team,

Time goes so fast, I can’t believe that a few months have passed already after our week working together in the DR last spring break.

I hope all of you are great and, you are still in contact as group (I pretty sure you do!).

I been in contact with Loubens. He is great, he continues working with groups and keeping his great attitude. He told me that the water tank in “Cano Dulce” it is almost finished. Several groups been worked hard to do this possible and, I’m excited when I think of you guys started this project. Do you remember us carrying all those buckets with sand or cement? It was challenging work, but we did great as a team and we did give the first steps in this amazing project.

Also, I spoke with Sarah. She still surfing in the North Coast beaches and taking care of the bees with Jonny. She beening working with groups to continue offering the medical attention and vitamin distribution in communities like ‘NY Chiquito’ and “Islabon” (Do you remember the little puppy in Islabon? It has grown a lot and is very friendly).

The 3 of us, we remember you guys with a big smile in our faces, for the amazing work that you did, the good moments we had and, the great conexion that you created as group.

We hope you are all well, continue using all the thing you learned in the DR, and you continue be involved with the global situation and been part of the solutions. Remember, is always a way to keep you involved!

Mi mejores deseos y saludos,

Javier Zavala

International Director GHI DR

 

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts! 

Saturday April 13, 2019

Students have arrived for the DR: Spring Break Global Health track program! Two more students arrive tomorrow and then group will be complete. Tonight we had a traditional Dominican plate for dinner and we had the opportunity to meet our staff.  We’re looking forward to the rest of the trip!

Sunday April 14, 2019 

Today Carla and Christa arrived to complete the group. We woke up at 7:45am to eat a fruit filled breakfast and have orientation to go over rules, schedules, etc. After orientation we drove a bus to the community Caño Dulce. We mixed cement together, put it in buckets, and carried it up a hill to build a foundation for a water tank.

At 12 pm we ate lunch in a community persons home with their family and friendly dogs. The lunch was rice, pork, veggies, and fruits. We got back to work after lunch continuing to mix cement and talk with the people of the community. Finally, after taking a tour of the community, we made our way back home to take the swim test. Lastly, we had free time and reflection about the 7 Elements of Human Security after dinner.

-Ashley, Reese, & Lucas

Monday April 15, 2019

Today everyone woke up for breakfast at 8. After breakfast, we were trained for vitamin distribution and learned to take vitals. After training, we visited a local clinic to get an inside look on healthcare in the Dominican Republic. We got the opportunity to talk and ask questions to a local doctor. We then came back to the lodge to have a delicious lunch consisting of chicken, plantains, eggplant, and fruit.

After lunch, we headed out to Islabon for vitamin distribution. We all split up to help out. Ella and Owen were in charge of registration. Victoria, Bobby, Reese, Angie, and Bella took the vitals of the patients. Ashna and Porsche did clinical interviews while Becca, Ashley, Hannah, and Ella did nutritional interviews. Additionally, Lucas assisted a doctor in nutritional diagnostics. Finally, Carla, Alex, and Christa took part in the vitamin distribution.

When everyone returned to the lodge we met up with Kira who spent the day at the lodge because she did not feel very good (don’t worry she’s ok). We then went to the beach and played soccer and came back to eat dinner. After dinner we watched a video talking about the differences between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The night concluded with laughs and lights out.

From the leaders of the day:

Bobby, Portia, and Hannah

Tuesday April 16, 2019

Today was our first adventure day, a, and it was awesome!!!

Breakfast was delicious, we had pancakes, fruits and other foods, we especially loved the pancakes. Our first stop was at the market to exchange money and then we were off to Sosua beach. We snorkled and saw some really cool fish, it was so much fun. Then we hit the beach and had pizza. The pizza was out of this world!!! After lunch, we played in the water, went shopping and layed out on the sand.

After that, we went to the supermarket to grab lots of snacks. When we got back we all played card games and took pictures. Then we had dinner fried chicken, fries, fruits and vegetables… so good. After dinner Owen (one of the students) asked Ella M. (his girlfriend) to prom on the beach, she was very surprised. At the end of the day we had lecture and then went to bed.

Ella O, Owen and Ella M.

 

Wednesday April 17, 2019

Today, we went to the medical brigade in a very fun community called Nuevo York Chiquito, or Little New York. We divided into 6 separate stations with 2 different shifts in order to accommodate all 58 of our patients.

In the morning, Bobby and Carla started things off at registration. Ashna and Hannah conducted clinical interviews, where they essentially gathered general information about the health of each patient. Bella, Victoria, Angie, Ella, and Becca took vitals such as height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure. Ashley was in charge of the waiting room, where she directed patients from getting their vitals towards the doctors. Alex and Portia worked alongside the doctors who were examining patients. Reese, Christa, Owen, Lucas, and Kira worked at the pharmacy, reading prescriptions and giving patients the medications they required.

After our morning shifts, we are a delicious lunch of salad, mashed potatoes, chicken, pasta salad, and a lovely assortment of tropical fruits.

In the afternoon Victoria and Angie worked with registration and Ashley and Christa interviewed patients. Ashna, Bobby, Reese, Lucas, and Owen took patients’ vitals. Carla was in charge of the waiting room and Kira and Ella helped with doctor consultations. Bella, Portia, Alex, Hannah, Becca, and Ella worked in the pharmacy.

At 4:00, we arrived back at home base, and from 4:00-6:00, we had free time, when we went to the pool and played games. We had a lovely dinner of pasta, sweet potatoes, tostones (fried plantains), and fruits. We had a climate change lecture at 7:00, and went to bed at 10:00.

Overall, the day was fun and eventful. We met and interacted with some amazing people and some of the cutest children in the world. Working in the brigade was an amazing opportunity, and we think we can speak for everyone when we say that today, we made memories that will last us a lifetime.

~ Ashna, Becca, Kira

Thursday April 18, 2019

*Blog for April 19 was also posted today. Scroll down to see the post.

We started the day with our usual 8am breakfast consisting of pancakes, eggs, bread, cereal, granola, fruit and a banana smoothie. At 9:15 we left for the Dudu Lagoon. When we arrived at Dudu we first went swimming in the caves where we jumped off a small cliff into the clear, blue water. Then we went into the lagoon and we swam for a while. Next, we sunbathed and went on the swings before lunch. For lunch we had a buffet with salad, chicken, rice, beans, and mango.

Afterwards we hopped back in the bus and headed to playa preciosa (precious beach). At this gorgeous beach we played in the ocean and tanned on the beach. We also had the opportunity to buy some handmade jewelry and souvenirs from the locals. Sadly, we had to leave and head back to the lodge for dinner. We had paella, broccoli, mango, plantains and pineapple. Afterwards we hung out, had a culture night, and went to sleep.

– Victoria, Angie and Bella

Friday April 19, 2019

Today was a really exciting and hot day! We all worked together to fill buckets with sand and cement in order for the water tank to be built on the hill. We stood in an assembly line in order to pass the buckets up the hill. The day was filled with laughter and amazing ice cream!

Also, there was a special Global Engagement lecture by Carly who is an alumni from GLA / 7E. She continues to go on and plan different trips yearly while attending Tulane University. Our last day will be ending with tears on the beach in the moonlight.

– Carla, Christa, & Alex

by

Dominican Republic – Spring Break Service Adventure – April 13 – April 20, 2019 – Community Impact Track

Time Capsule Letter

Hey Loves,

We hope you are all happily settled in to your new/old lives at home! We miss you and wanted to send you an update from Las Canas.  We completed the bottle house and Alejandro’s family has moved in. Slow but sure, we finished up the walls and taught newcomer students to tackle problems. Your hard work truly helped in finishing the structure.

We often reminisce on your maturity and kindness. You all surprised us with the way you tackled new and uncomfortable situations. Your thoughtful queries during discussions and work days showed us the ability you have to analyze your situation and respond in an appropriate and impactful way. Whether we were figuring out work strategies or enjoying a virgin piña colada at the beach, you all managed to convey true personality and caring. 

Our little family turned out to be amazing. Remember the night we danced bachata and had a dance competition? Or all the laughs we had with Junior? We hope you can remember the moments you felt happy, uncomfortable, inspired, and determined. We hope you carry those memories with you and use them to empower you to stay globally engaged. 

Reach out if you need anything!

With love,

Leslie, Marie, and Junior

 

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts! 

Saturday April 13, 2019

We have all arrived safely! Excited for the adventure that lies ahead!

Sunday April 14, 2019

The day started off with a breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, cereal, granola, and fruit. We had orientation before going to the worksite. At the worksite we mixed cement and put it on walls. We also dug a hole for a septic tank. We walked back to home base for lunch. After we rested, we came back to the worksite and worked for a couple more hours in the sun. We did swim tests and played cards during free time. After dinner, we worked in our journals and learned about human security.

Leaders of the Day (LOD’s): Edgar and Dominic
Monday April 15, 2019
This morning we woke up and the weather was beautiful. We ate breakfast consisting of rolls with butter, eggs, fruit, fried cheese, cereal, oatmeal, and granola. Afterwards, we drove for an hour and a half. We made it to Brison to go on our hike. Although it was hot, sweaty, and out legs were burning – we made it to the top and saw the most beautiful view. We sat and ate lunch with a local dominican family.

After lunch we relaxed and took in the insane view before hiking back down. We made it back to the bus an hour and a half later and drove back to the lodge. Once there, we went to the beach and played soccer and tanned. We came back to the lodge for dinner and had rice, fruits, chicken potato and carrot stew (called sancocho), broccoli and lemonade. We closed off the day with a discussion about the relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We are excited for some cement fun in Nueve York Chiquito tomorrow.

LODS: Abraham, Alice, Morgan

Tuesday April 16, 2019

Wake up, breakfast, blah blah blah – you know the deal! We drove to an unfinished home. Using assembly lines, handwork, & loads of sweat, we mixed 8 bags of cement to partially floor the building. The experience provided by this opportunity was unlike any other. We were directly able to see and interact with the people we were impacting.

There was paw patrol band-aids + lots of water breaks, but we worked so so hard. Using consensus building tactics we came together at the end of the day to play an educational game of Dancing Mafia. There were both awkward and enthusiastic dances, but we learned a lot about working together, leadership roles, and everyone’s dance skills.
P.S. Long live Omar and Junior the Haitian King.

LODs: Chloe, Tana, and Omar (aka Liam)

Wednesday April 17, 2019

Today we woke up at 7:30 and started our day. After our delicious breakfast we took an hour long bus ride to Sosua Beach. Shortly after, we picked up our life jackets and snorkel gear. We snorkeled in the beautiful clear water and saw some fish. We then went back to the beach to eat pizza, play soccer with locals, and swim in the water. We had the chance to go souvenir shopping after the beach as well. We came back home to the lodge, ate dinner, and had an interesting discussion about climate change and social activism after watching a documentary.

See you soon,
Ryan, Brandon, Tate

Thursday April 18, 2019

This morning was a relatively early morning, as we woke up at 7:30am and ate breakfast at 8am. At 9 o’ clock we left for the famous “Dudu” Lagoon. The lagoon was beautiful! We enjoyed jumping into the chilly cave lakes. After the swim, we had an intense volleyball game, showing off the groups teamwork and athletic talents.

Afterwards, we had a buffet lunch to fill our starving bellies. We then headed out to the majestic beach, “Playa Preciousa”. After riding the waves and sipping pina coladas, we headed home and commenced Free-Time. We had a scrumptious dinner at 6pm. Later, we had a lesson on the traditional dominican dance called Bachata. We ended the day off with a competitive dance battle!

LODs: Jenna, Akshay, Lauren

by

Dominican Republic – Spring Break Service Adventure – March 23 – March 30, 2019 – Community Impact Track

Time Capsule Letter

Hey Loves,

We hope you are all happily settling in to your new/old lives at home! We miss you and wanted to send you an update from Las Canas.  We completed the bottle houses and Alejandro’s family has moved in. Slow but sure, we finished up the walls and taught newcomer students to tackle problems. The base you set for us truly helped us in continuing this work.

We often reminisce on your maturity and kindness. You all surprised us with the way you tackled new and uncomfortable situations. Your thoughtful queries during discussions and work days show us the power you have to analyze your situation and respond in an appropriate and impactful way. Whether we were figuring out work strategies or enjoying a piña colada at the beach you all managed to convey true personality and caring. 

Our little family turned out to be amazing. Remember the night we sang songs and danced bachata? Or all the laughs we had with Junior and Loubens? We hope you can remember the moments you felt happy, uncomfortable, inspired, and determined. We hope you carry those memories with you and use them to empower you to stay globally engaged. 

Reach out if you need anything!

With love,

Leslie, Marie, and Junior

P.S. We miss you guys!!  

 

Click here to jump down to the most recent posts! 

Saturday March 23, 2019

We are in the Dominican Republic! We are excited to start new projects, meet new friends, and take in some sun. Stay tuned for updates!

Sunday March 24, 2019

Today my fantastic community group and I spent a majority of the day mixing and passing cement. The cement was used to lay out a floor for two rooms and a hallway. The woman whos house we worked on said that due to material restrictions, she had been working on that same house for 8 years. I loved meeting some of the locals, and practicing our Spanish with them.

-Drew

Monday March 25, 2019

Today we went on a 7 mile hike on the Montaña de Brisón. We met many locals and learned about daily life in this community. First we stopped at Juanita’s house to rest and buy bracelets, candy and drink water. We also got to taste the native cacao plant.

At the top of the mountain, we had lunch at Doña Máxima’s house. She prepared chicken, rice, plantains, beans,  and an eggplant dish, as well as fruit. After lunch, we were treated to popsicles and enjoyed the beautiful views. When we got back we enjoyed free time by the pool with the other group Global Health. We then had dinner and watched a film on climate change.

Love,
Alex and Abby

Tuesday March 26, 2019

Today our group had an amazing day exploring the different bodies of water including Gugu Lagoon as well as “la playa”. We got to swim under a cave as well as freshwater lagoons full of vegetation and a beautiful landscape.
Our beach experience was great as well with Pina Coladas inside pineapples as well as observing and buying locally made jewelry. Once we got back from our adventures outside of the lodge when we came back we bonded over card games, checkers, and talking by the pool. It was a great day in the DR!
-Kylie Hix

Wednesday March 27, 2019

Today was our first day working on the bottle house in Las Canas. We
got out first “bola” (free ride) by the GHI track and when we got to
the house, we started working right away. We dug a really large septic
hole for the toilet, met the daughter of the house Diana, started
filling the house with plastic bottles, and had a great time! When we
got back, we had a delicious dinner after free time by the pool and
learned about the difficulties between the Haitians and DR through the
stories of Junior and Loubens.Love, Kerry and Maddie:)
Thursday March 28, 2019

Today we went to continue building the bottle house. Some of us cemented the walls and some of us put bottles in the walls. We did two sessions -one before lunch and one after lunch. We almost completed one full room. Today it rained so our free time consisted of hot chocolate. For dinner, we had TACOS! -which was the best dinner yet. We ended the day hearing all about the leaders stories and watching a TED Talk that inspired all of us to be Global Citizens. Currently, lots of her branding, journaling, and car games going on. It was a day for the books!

Your leaders of the day Ava & Kayla

Brought to you by