Thank you for visiting one of our GLA Program Blogs! Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 1-2 Blog Posts Per Week from international staff. It is very unlikely programs will send blog updates daily.
2. Blog Updates sent on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning.
3. Due to many factors including internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes staff are only able to send text.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GLA Staff

 

Thank you for visiting one of our GLA Program Blogs! Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 1-2 Blog Posts Per Week from international staff. It is very unlikely programs will send blog updates daily.
2. Blog Updates sent on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning.
3. Due to many factors including internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes staff are only able to send text.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GLA Staff

Saturday March 10, 2018

Hello from the Dominican Republic! The Global Health track is all here and ready to get to work today on our sanitation service project.

Sunday March 11, 2018

Today as part of the GLA family we set out to begin our first project. Together we aim to (over the next two days) build a fully functional bathroom facility. We began by using recycled bottles to create the insulation and inner pieces of the bathroom and digging a 6’x6’x6′ hole for the septic. Tomorrow we hope to finish the septic and cement the outer walls of the bathroom. We left the site with smiles on our faces and bug bites all over.

Best wishes,
Leaders of the Day – Alec and Basile

Monday March 12, 2018

Today we went back to the home of Doña Chita and completed bottling, as well as cementing some of the walls in her new bathroom. In addition, we completed digging the 4 foot hole for the septic tank. Afterwards, we took a tour of the community, and discussed natural medicines and insecurities that the community faces; such as water shortage and climate change. After returning to the lodge we headed to the beach. Later in the night, we had our lecture. We also had a discussion about why we are here and how we plan on impacting our community.

From the most AMAZING Leaders of the Day – Kaitlyn and Anna

Tuesday March 13, 2018

Today we took a boat ride to a snorkeling sight in Sosua. We got to see many colorful fish and even some of us enjoyed a mouthful of salt water! It was very fun and we all had a great time. We then got to get a taste of back home for a change, and had pizza and piña coladas for lunch.

Next, we got to relax at Playa Alicia, where we tanned and swam in the clear water. For some, the sun loved us a little too much and left us a little crispy. We ended the day when we headed home and chowed down on some fantastico tacos! Miss all of you back home!

Love,
The Leaders of the Day – Victoria and Jillian

 

Wednesday March 14, 2018

GHI prepared to depart for Verge Policlinic (a local clinic). With great anticipation, we students were relieved when we finally arrived and met Doctora Peña. At the clinic, she showed us her daily routine, which included consulting patients, operating the ER, and working the pharmacy. Once we were done at the clinic, we cooled off with some refreshing ice cream and played at a local park. Once back at the lodge, Javier led a class in order to teach us our responsibilities for the Brigade tomorrow. We were very eager to participate in a clinical simulation in order to practice our new skills. After dinner, we watched a documentary about the international aid system. Movie night consisted of dominican hot chocolate and snacks. We ended the night on a sentimental note by opening our envelopes of Love & Kindness.

Paz y Amor,

The Leaders of the Day – Julianna y Sabrina

Thursday March 15, 2018

Today our GHI group went to Severe, to support the Haitian batey. We set up a clinic with a local doctor, and saw 29 patients. We were separated into different groups, where we registered patients, took vitals, preformed a clinical interview, shadowed the doctor consultations, and handed out medications. After a long day of hard work, we played with the children, and then slept on the bus ride back to the lodge!

Thank you for visiting one of our GLA Program Blogs! Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 1-2 Blog Posts Per Week from international staff. It is very unlikely programs will send blog updates daily.
2. Blog Updates sent on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning.
3. Due to many factors including internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes staff are only able to send text.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GLA Staff

Saturday March 17, 2018

We made it to the Dominican Republic! With 80 degree weather and sunny skies, we look forward to the adventure ahead. #GHI

Monday March 19, 2018

We began the day with the beautiful dominican sunshine. At 6:30am we started with a group run that’s optional for the students. Staff member Alex went with us! Next our breakfast consisted of oats, frutas, tocino, french toast, y juevos.

After breakfast the group was given half an hour to get ready for construction day. When we arrived to our service site all members had their game face on, ready to work! Accomplishments of the day: we completed bottling the bathroom walls and mastered making concrete. After we finished eating a delicious lunch, we played baseball with some locals (they played very well compare to us ….) Practice makes perfect though!

After our tough day at the service site, we headed out to the beach for a good swim to cool ourselves down. We ended the day with dinner and mentor groups. In mentor groups students have the opportunity to really break down their thoughts from the day and talk about it with the group for input or discussion. Staff also challenges us to express ourselves through journaling.

  

Wednesday March 21, 2018

Today we began the day with a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, cinnamon oatmeal, granola, and fruit. Javier, a staff member, taught us about vitals and how to take body measurements of the patients for the clinic tomorrow, and then we headed off to the clinic. The doctor showed us around the facility (which is a small house) and answered questions about health care. All of the treatments and medications are paid for by the government and free for the patients. We came back to home base for a delicious lunch of rice, lentils, broccoli, fruit, and fresh squeezed juice.

With our energy restored, we climbed back into the bus for an adventure. We hiked through a jungle-type scenery and then picked up tons of garbage. Eventually, we made it to Cabarete Caves – a beautiful fresh water cave. One by one we jumped into the cool, refreshing water. It is now free time and many are involved in an intense card game while others are relaxing. Soon we will have dinner, watch a documentary called Poverty Inc, and have time to discuss the day in our groups. Lights out at 9:58pm instead of 10:00pm… We talked a bit too long last night. Whoops!

-Leader of the Day, Annie

Thursday March 22, 2018

Today, we went the same community that we went to previously for constructing bottle structures, to take vitals, and distribute vitamins for people in the community. We spoke to the locals, and were able to work on our Spanish. It was very interesting, and an experience that taught us. Later, we took a surprise stop at an ice cream shop, and ended the day with a pool party, playing cards, and many got their hair braided.

Thank you for visiting one of our GLA Program Blogs! Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 1-2 Blog Posts Per Week from international staff. It is very unlikely programs will send blog updates daily.
2. Blog Updates sent on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning.
3. Due to many factors including internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes staff are only able to send text.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GLA Staff

March 24, 2018

We made it to the Dominican Republic! We are excited to spend the week working hard. But don’t worry… we will play hard too!

March 25, 2018

Today we started our first Construction Day! We separated into three groups and worked on helping improve the sanitary conditions of the community. At three different job sites, we painted and helped build bathrooms for the elderly. During the time we were there, we had fun with the locals and groups we were working with. After we got back, we went to the beach and got to soak up the sun! We had some amazing food for dinner, including fried fish, pasta, potatoes, plantains, delicious fruits, and passion fruit juice. Following dinner, we had a lecture introducing us to the health issues in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Finishing the night we went into our mentor groups to discuss the day. Today was a blast and we hope the rest of the week will be just as fun!!!

Love,

First Global Health Leaders Of the Day (LODs) – Joe, Grace, Sophia, & Kimberly’

March 26, 2018

Today we continued our previous construction projects! One of the projects that we continued was the building of a bathroom using recycled plastic bottles. The bottles, which we collected but the community, provided insulation maintaining a 10 degree (celsius) temperature cushion. After the bottles were secured by chicken wire we were then able to slab, slather, and smooth cement on the walls. We also dug a hole to put a septic tank into so that there can be circulation of water in the bottle bathroom. Another projects that we worked on was painting the finished product of another bottle bathroom. After working we had the opportunity to play with children and tour the community. When we got back to home base, we ate dinner and watched a documentary about the effects of climate change and the the importance of the preservation of Earth. We look forward to the rest of the week!

All the best from your LODs,
Cece, Shannon, Katelyn (Treesy), Jason

March 27, 2018

After our two days of construction work, we took a day to explore Sosua and go snorkeling. Unfortunately, the high tide and wavy water caused the majority of the group to get seasick until they got their land legs back. After getting off the boat, we had the opportunity to get fresh fruit juices and drinks from a local stand in Sosua. We were able to drink those along with our pizza lunch on the beach. While pursuing the shops lined along the beach, we were able to pick souvenirs for ourselves and our friends back home. After departing Sousa, we went to Playa Alicia where we were able to swim in the clear waters and lay on the beach. Consequently, this sunburnt group fell asleep on the bus and woke up to free time before Taco Tuesday (dinner). Soon a mentor will be taking a group on a night walk to star gaze, after which no one will have any trouble sleeping. Overall, we had an adventurous day and are excited to begin our medical brigade training tomorrow!

Signing out,

LODs – Caitlin, Emily, Kaitlin, and Alayna

March 28, 2018

Today we began the day by beginning to train for the medical brigade that we are running tomorrow. We learned about each of the stations, including how to take vitals. We then did a practice run through of all the stations with a pretend patient. We stayed at home base for lunch then departed for a surprise! Turns out, the surprise was going to a local ice cream shop, which was very fun for everyone. From there, we went to tour a local medical clinic. This is an example of primary care in the Dominican Republic. They offer services such as vaccines, checkups, and programs for intervention. After the tour, we returned to home base to watch a documentary called Poverty, Inc. We are looking forward to the brigade tomorrow!

-Leaders of the Day: Ruth, Grace, Mikaela, Alex

 

March 29, 2018

¡Hola familias! Today was our medical brigade day in La Grua. We started the day with a scrumptious breakfast and then headed out for the two hour commute complete with breathtaking views of the Dominican Republic. We helped set up a pop up clinic and helped sixty patients receive the medications they needed. We worked alongside doctors and translators to provide care to the best of our ability. We saw a variety of patients ranging from 1 month to 73 years old. Our stations included: registration, vitals, clinical interview, waiting room, doctor consultation, pharmacy, and data transcription. This was also a perfect opportunity for us to practice our Spanish, French, and learn a little bit of Creole. We concluded the medical brigade by playing with the local children and interacting with the community. The day ended with a presentation about leadership and us spending a little time in our project groups. ¡Hasta luego!

With love,

LODS – Karishma, Annie, Dana, Kaitlyn J

Thank you for visiting one of our GLA Program Blogs! Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 1-2 Blog Posts Per Week from international staff. It is very unlikely programs will send blog updates daily.
2. Blog Updates sent on weekends may be delayed until Monday morning.
3. Due to many factors including internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes staff are only able to send text.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GLA Staff

March 31, 2018

We have arrived! Looking forward to the adventure ahead.
#DominicanRepublic

 

April 1, 2018

Hey all!
Today we went to a community named Caño Dulce. We were able to sand and paint walls of a bathroom. We also made cement to finish off the floor of the bathroom, which was needed to transform it into a useable bathroom for the community. We also got the opportunity to meet the family of the house. We got to interact with the children and the animals within the family. This was a great learning experience and helped to jumpstart spanish-learning for many.

Yesterday when everyone arrived, we were all sitting in an awkward circle and we didn’t really interact much. But as the night went on, we were all singing Disney and throwback songs!! Today, we helped each other out and if it wasn’t for the connection that we built, we probably wouldn’t have accomplished all of the work that we got done. Today is the second night and we feel like we’ve all known each other for so long! We can’t wait to see you guys back home, but with how things are going right now…we never wanna leave !!

 

April 2, 2018

Hey y’all! It’s your two southern bumpkins from North Carolina, Sara and Garret. We are all here just like two peas in pot learning together through helping the community. Today we went to Caño Dulce for the second day to help with the second coat of cement on the walls and the bathroom floor. This involved us making 9 cement patches. After we finished the hard work, we got a community tour. Lucky for us Johnny, a local bee keeper, showed us the town and let us try some of his fresh honey, which was so delicious. After day 3 we have all come together as one, and though we miss our family we never want to leave.

April 3, 2018

¡Hola compadres!

It’s Jessica and Lily and here’s a little update on our adventure:

Today we went to Sosua to snorkel and chill out on the beach. We ordered plenty of island drinks and ate a ton of pizza! Afterwards, we went shopping. Bracelets were in high demand! Finally, before going back to base camp, we stopped at Playa Alicia to body surf. We got PUMMELED! But we had a great time! We are so thankful for our families that let us go on this trip and can’t wait to tell you all about it!

April 4, 2018

Hi everyone! Bubbles and Brownie here (aka Charles and Browning)! Today we had the chance to follow the doctor of the Veragua community clinic. We learned that this clinic is an emergency room, pharmacy, and regular doctor’s office all in one. Plus, it’s totally free and is available to any individual who needs help. Later when we came back to the lodge, we had a pool party and the girls (and some of the boys) got their hairs braided by Rebecca, a local community member. We had a pretty chill day overall, which is a nice break from the mixing of cement. Tomorrow we’re going to run a medical brigade, take vitals, and treat patients!! Can’t wait 🙂

April 5, 2018

Hey, it’s your two favorite city gals (Clarice and Erick). Today we started off the day by having pancakes for desayuno. After that, we had vitals training with medical professional Javier, and departed to the community of Cano Dulce to set up the medical brigade. We all worked in different stations ranging from taking vitals to working in a pharmacy. After helping the community we came back to our home base to enjoy some delicious dinner.