4.9.2016

Departure

We just wanted to let you all know that all students have successfully completed the program and are on their way home.

Thank you to all of our student volunteers’ families and friends for following along on their journey.

4.6.2016

Laguna Dudu

Dear reader,

Today we visited Laguna Dudu. We went zip lining into water and cliff jumping. The drop was 30-40 ft high. Almost everyone went for the drop, though a few chose to just swim and enjoy the sun. Everyone walked away in one piece!

We followed up with a dance class at home base where we learned to dance the bachata and merengue (and a little salsa at the end) with some volunteers from the local community. Through this experience the leaders of the day were able to hone their leadership skills and strengthen their weaknesses.

Because we didn’t have a specific task to focus on today, we were able to talk and hang out with a larger variety of people. The closer the group grows, the more efficient we work as an entity. This was already in effect over the course of the first working days, as are efficiency drastically increased every time we have grown closer as a team. To create a sense of unity and to keep moral up while we grew tired, we even created a singalong playlist.

Not only do we grow as leaders, but we grow closer as a group.

4.5.2016

Back to Polanco

Today we went to Polanco again, to finish the bottle house for Maria. We tried our hardest to finish the house. However, we eventually ran out of time and had to leave. But so far the house looks great because the people helping us were very skilled and we worked better and more efficiently as a group, and pushed ourselves harder since we gained experience from the first day. We had lunch there again and tried fresh coconut water.

After lunch we went back to work, cleaned up, and went to a town nearby called Caños Dulces, where we visited Johnny the beekeeper and his family. We walked across a shaky wire bridge and saw hives made of hollowed out logs and palms, and the new and improved boxes that GLA is helping to make. No one was stung and we were able to try fresh honey comb, and tried cacao nuts which did not taste anything like chocolate.

Afterwards we went back to the base and were given time to go to the beach, pool, or take a shower. We then had dinner and had a leadership session where we talked about gaining confidence and how small changes can increase charisma. After this, we had Human Security, where we talked in-depth about the economy and the gap between the rich and the rest of the world. We then ended the day off with some free time.

4.4.2016

First Day of Service

Today we went to Polanco for our first day of service.

We were welcomed by the locals as we toured the community and learned about their lifestyle. After our tour, we began working on a house for a single mom named Maria. The group mixed cement and finished up the latrine. After a few hours of hard work, the team ate a delicious lunch prepared by Maria. We continued to bond with one another, and eventually we went back to work on our group service project.

→Everyone with the addition of our dog Oscar 🙂

Finally, after many hours in the sun, we mixed our last batch of cement and added it to the floor of the house. When we arrived back at Home Base, we attended a cooking lesson in which we learned to cook fried plantains. Then we had an opportunity to go play on the beach or swim in the pool!

After dinner, Giorgio, the leader of Human Security, gave us a brief overview on what Human Security is. We ended the day with mentor groups, where we talked about our expectations for the trip and fully introduced ourselves. Tomorrow we will be going back to Polanco to hopefully finish what we started. So far, we’re off to a great start, and we’re excited for what’s to come.

-Written by: Ambria, Claire, Mary & Victoria

4.3.2016

Arrival

We just wanted to let you know that all students have arrived in the Dominican Republic to begin their Spring Break program.

We look forward to sharing insights from the DR with you all whenever they become available.

4.3.2016

Departure

Hi families and friends,

We just wanted to let you know that all students have successfully departed from the Spring Break program.

We wish to thank our amazing teen volunteers for their contributions of time, energy, and passion during their time in the Dominican Republic, as well as their supportive family members and friends who followed along with their journeys.

3.31.2016

New Program Blog and Photos!

Hi guys! Today we split into two groups- group one to Caño Dulce and group two to Polanco.

In Polanco we built a house for a women named Maria and her family. Maria is a single mother of three children and before GLA was living in a one room home under poor conditions. We helped to line the walls with plastic bottles, which helped reduce their garbage problem. We then cemented the walls with cement we helped make with the locals. In addition we built her a latrine and flattened ground for a water tank. We also enjoyed playing with the local children.

In Caño Dulce we prepped the workspace for planting. We cleared all of the leaves and palm fronds with machetes and pick axes because it was extremely overgrown. We then sorted piles of palm fronds into attainable piles for the locals to burn and create fertilizer.  After this we moved the dirt into the garden beds so that when the next group came they would be able to plant the different vegetables and crops.  Giorgio took us on a tour of the community where he showed us the cacao trees which fueled the communities economy and also the beehives that provided honey for the members.  There was also two local girls who were the ages 2 and 4 who helped us move some of the dirt and rocks into the garden beds they were extremely helpful.

After our day at the communities, both groups met for a cultural activity. A local woman taught us to cook a plantain dish called fritas, popular in the Dominican Republic. After a trip to the beach and after a delicious dinner, we learned about environmental security from Georgio and split into our mentor groups. We then were able to reflect on the day and focus on our leaders’ goal- it was important to realize what we were doing in the community and the impact that we were able to make.

3.29.2016 (Two Updates Today!)

Sunday Blog

Hi guys! Today was our first full day at the Dominican Republic. We started the first day with an amazing breakfast and continued the day with a 2 hour car ride trip to Brison where we hiked 5 miles in total up a mountain. We were in a rural part of the country and along the way we stopped at a small elementary school where we learned a little bit more about their education. Although many choose to drive up the mountain or take a donkey we all bravely hiked the hill and are still sore.

At the top though we were met with a refreshing treat, ice cream, and an amazing home cooked meal. A local even played us a song by using a plastic bag as a whistle. We met some very cute young girls along the way who hiked with us. Many of our GLA volunteers practiced their Spanish.

On our way down we planted 600 orange trees in 20 minutes. We learned later that day how this contribution will contribute to the Dominican Republic’s human security. Exhausted when we got back, we all ran to the beach to cool off. There was a local boy who picked some coconuts for us, which we cracked open and drank their water.

We had great first day, sore legs and all. We are all making friends very quickly and are all extremely close despite it only being one day!

Monday Blog

Hi parents – today we traveled approximately an hour away from home base to a place called “Dudú!”

The activities there included zip lining and cliff jumping into the picturesque lagoon, cave exploring, and various sports. We enjoyed a buffet style lunch with rice, beans, chicken, plantains, and a few other Dominican goods including ice cream! We then spent time hanging out with our newly made friends and learned more about each other… completing the “goals” we had each made in the morning.

We returned back to base camp, and some went down to the beach to finish off the day with another refreshing swim while others stayed on campus and relaxed. We then had dinner and our leadership and human security lectures followed by free time and lights out.

We love you and we miss you terribly!