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
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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
*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
