DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Beachside Service Adventure – July 28

Time Capsule Letter – October 2016

Hi guys!
It’s Ben! I hope you’re all doing well, and haven’t forgotten me or the team yet! My summer in the DR is wrapped up and now I have a chance to reflect on the great memories we built together.
The house in Las Canas is complete, painted up and filled up with a grateful family of 9 and the water is flowing readily in Las Canas thanks to the water tank and piping we helped with.

When I think back on you guys I think back on the time we had together, I think back on the most ridiculous ‘lights out’ checks of my life, a coffee machine that kept mysteriously vanishing from the other groups kitchen (no idea what was happening there, haha!) and group of people who made me feel really loved and appreciated from start to finish.

Keep pushing boundaries (not your parent’s boundaries… Do whatever they tell you!), keep travelling, keep learning about the world and keep in contact, honestly, you guys are cool.
Thanks for being a great part of my life, I look forward to hearing the next chapter in yours,

Benjamin O’Hanlon.

Juliann, I still have no raincoat I hope you’re enjoying it.

Summer Blog Posts

Today we arrived in the Dominican Republic. Immediately after exiting the airport the heat hit us like a physical blow. We took an hour bus ride through the culturally enriching landscape of the Dominican Republic. Upon arrival a few of us played cards and others to pass the time until the others arrived. Once they did, we took a trip down to the beach, taking in the refreshing, crystal clear water, with some engaging in a soccer game with local kids. The beach truly surpasses any that can be found in the states. The water is a clear turquoise and so warm that one does not hesitate to jump right in. The sand is fine and soft, and the beach is surrounded by lush green vegetation. After soaking up the beautiful breezes and sunshine, we returned back to home base to socialize and become acquainted with everyone as we all settled in. Then at 6 pm we ate dinner, a meal mainly consisting of rice, beans, chicken, vegetables, and deliciously sweet and satisfying local fresh fruits such as mango, watermelon, banana, and avocado. Soon after we had orientation to review some rules and meet our mentors, discussing ways to respect and engage each other throughout the trip. It was a really encouraging experience and reminded us to reflect and take home lessons learned from our service here in the Dominican. Then, as it got closer to lights out, we gathered around our huts and got to know each other better. We look forward to these times of day when we can relax and bond. No regrets thus far 🙂

Sincerely, Juliann Li and Marissa Dibilio

July 29, 2016

After waking up from the roosters, we all enjoyed an amazing breakfast of eggs and ham with fresh fruit picked right in the village. We finished breakfast and walked about 20 minutes to the work site. At the work site we added onto a house that GLA has started building for a family of 7. There were three different jobs that we rotated through. First, we put recycled plastic bottles between chicken wire and wood beams to create insulated walls. Second, we made rough concrete and spread it on the walls. Then, we made smooth concrete to give to the men helping us to spread over the dry rough concrete.It was amazing to see how fast the walls went up with all of us working together! The locals made a delicious meal for us, and we spent a lot of time playing and TRYING to speak with the little kids. We are lucky to have a few fluent spanish speakers on this trip to help us out! After about 5 hours of rewarding service and lots of sweat, we all hit the beach to cool off. There’s a beach only steps away from the home base. After the beach, we had a dinner of fish, spaghetti, vegetables and fruit. Julia, Katie, and Sophia arrived at 6:30 after their flight was delayed, then canceled. Georgio, a man who studies environmental science, taught us a lot about human security around the world. Now, after some time for reflection on the day, we are headed to bed, excited for tomorrow!
-Sarah Gill, Julia Stahlkuppe, Maggie Olson
The late arrivals: (left to right) Sophia, Julia, and Katie

July 30, 2016

This morning we started with breakfast, bacon, eggs, fruit, toast an more. We then departed for our reforestation project in a small village. We helped to build a path to promote ecotourism. After constructing the path out of large rocks and sand we were able to cool off in the water of a collapsed cave system. We were able to jump in to clear water was 25 feet deep and enjoy the cold refreshing water. After helping out in the local community for the morning we jammed out on the bus for 20 minutes on our way to a bee farm. At the bee farm we crossed a wire foot bridge to get to the bees. Johnny, the bee keeper, gave us fresh honey that was delicious. After, the bee farm we had some free time to go to the beach and swim in the ocean. After, our class was taught how to make toastones, which are fried plantains. For dinner we ate tacos and then watched a documentary on world population. Ben then took us to the beach to listen to music and look at the stars.
-Lee, Kristen, Alex,

July 31, 2016

Today on our 4th day in the Dominican Republic we spent our second visit at Las Canas bottle house. Our goal was to finish bottling the back wall and to complete half of the concrete flooring in the new house. One way we worked efficiently was to split our work into 2 groups. One group worked on making the cement that was used for the flooring. While the other group worked on filling the back wall with bottles and putting rough cement over it.
As we worked on constructing the new house for the Dominican family we realized what it is like to live in the Dominican Republic and experienced what we saw difficult, that they considered every day life. As we continue to work on the house we realize how different the seven elements, economic, political, food, environment, personal, community and health are in the Dominican Republic are compared to at home.
Isabel, Lauren, and Jake

August 1, 2016

Today we woke up, had some pancakes and local honey, which was a special treat. We then headed to Dudu Lagoon on a bus that had WIFI! We were all so excited for the first adventure day of our trip. First, we went to exchange our money to pesos. We then arrived to Dudu after about an hour and half drive, and got straight to zip-lining and cliff diving into the lagoon. We also had the chance to visit a dry and wet cave where the water was crystal clear. So pretty!!! Others enjoyed the opportunity to play beach volleyball and soccer. After some free time exploring Dudu we had lunch at a buffet style restaurant at the lagoon. The lunch consisted of fried chicken, rice, and beans. There was also a chance to buy ice cream and cold drinks too. Shortly after lunch, we left for Playa Preciosa. It was a rainy day and a high tide, so we didn’t have a chance to really go into the water, but we still got to sit and enjoy the beautiful beach and take pictures. While at the beach some local vendors brought out some jewelry and wooden goods and we looked, and some ended up buying some of the goods too. Soon, we drove back to the home base, had free time, dinner, our daily leadership lecture and mentor groups which is where we ended the day. It was a fun-filled day, although the rain was on and off throughout the day. It’s crazy that we have already hit the halfway mark of our trip duration, and we are excited to get back to work tomorrow!

Love, the Leaders of the Day:
Kayla Burns
Amanda Ramos
Brandon Alliata

August 2, 2016

Today we rose earlier than usual to eat breakfast in order to arrive on time in La Grua which is a 2 hour bus ride from camp. When arriving in La Grua we explored a building that a previous GLA group had constructed. We then made our way to our work sites which were pipes laid throughout the community. The pipes are intended to carry the water from the tank that was also build by a previous GLA group. We used shovels and pick axes to cover the pipes. We then ate lunch in a community center and then took a tour of the community. We learned about the Haitian Refugees that live within the community and played with the local children, then started our departure home. On the way we stopped for ice cream which was refreshing for all. When we arrived back at base, we went to the beach and swam in the rough surf. We then headed back for dinner. Following dinner we had a lecture on Human Security which was followed by a documentary that discussed both Dominican and Haitian locals. We are exhausted but also excited to head back to the bottle house for the last time tomorrow!
Sophia H, Hannah W, & Michelle L

August 3, 2016

Today on our 7th day in the Dominican Republic we split into two groups. One group went to Las Canas to help finish the construction of the bottle house. The second group went to another bottle house to paint. Both groups were successful in completing their goals of working hard and efficiently all day long.The group at the other bottle house was able to finish painting the whole house. This was our last day working on the bottle house at Las Canas, so we had to say our last goodbyes. We were able to understand and appreciate everything we have in our lives from this experience. We then came back to the lodge and headed to the beach to wash off and relax. After a dinner of fish and chips we went through the standard procedure of a leadership lecture and mentor groups where we reflected on our past weeks ups and downs.
Julia L, Julia M, Katie

August 4, 2016

Some of us woke up early to watch the sunrise at 6 am. That started the day well. Then we had breakfast an hour early at 7 am. The papaya was incredible at breakfast and everyone liked it. We left on the bus for Brison at 7:30. We arrived there at 9:30 and began our hike up the mountain. The hike was much longer than expected and was very difficult for some. However, we forged ahead and were greeted with lunch at the top of the mountain. The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed the break and the view at the top of the mountain. We sat and talked with Dona Maxima, and a talking crow. Afterwards we took a group picture before heading down the mountain. On the way down we planted passion fruit trees. After finally making it back to the buses, we all cried tears of joy in the A/C and slept the whole way home. Upon return to the camp, groups presented their research projects on global issues. For dinner, we had TACOS, which everyone loved and all the guac was eaten. After dinner, Giorgio led the human security lecture. We learned a lot about how stuff is processed and produced. Lastly we had our last mentor groups and enjoyed a bonfire. Shoutout to our homies!!!!

Henry, Emmy, Hannah T 🙂

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Beachside Service Adventure – July 28 – August 6, 2016

Time Capsule Letter – October 2016

Summer Blog Posts

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