DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Beachside Service Adventure – June 20 – June 29, 2017

DAY 3

We woke up to the sound of cows, chickens, and girls swimming in the pool downstairs. Funky bacon for breakfast and mashed potatoes. A little taste of our Home land on the bus ride up to the working site with Miley Cyrus 2009 top song of the year “Born in the USA”. We settled quickly into a work routine of cutting chicken wire, nailing them to each of the wooden frame work and finally inserting recycled plastic bottles into the hollow walls. The plastic bottles were gathered by locals from the shore La Boca, a place where the river meets the ocean. Throughout the day, friendly interactions between students and locals were recurrent. Neighborhood youth danced to American rap songs that were playing through the speaker that we brought, a basketball scrimmage started after lunch and the local adolescents dominated the game. After a day of hard work and cultural exchange, we spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the sun and surf in the Caribbean Ocean.

Hello families!

Today was another eventful, wonderful day in the DR. It started with a crazy morning at Dudu Lagoon where we zip lined into the beautiful clear water. We stayed here for our delicious lunch played volleyball, soccer and Frisbee while others tanned. After, we boarded the bus and headed off to La Playa Preciosa where we once again swam, tanned and drank Piña Coladas (virgin). We came home to our lovely meal of fish, rice and avocado and watched a movie about climate change. What a day! Cannot wait for tomorrow.

By: Hannah Dudiak, Bridget Duncan, Amelia Heckman, Anna Ogan, Jenna Conrades

June 26, 2017

We had pancakes this morning! The cooks read our minds and we miss food from home, but the fruit is really good. Then we left for our last workday at the bottle house and got a lot of work done however we weren’t able to finish. We were able to finish most of the bottling and get some cement on the walls. Halfway through, it began pouring and we all worked in the rain. For lunch we had chicken, rice, and beans. Towards the end we played with the little kids. They loved pretending we were horses and getting piggy back rides. It was really fulfilling to be able to create a house for a less fortunate community family. We have so much privilege and it’s great to know that we have an opportunity to help out. They helped out on the site.

Later that day we spent time in the pool, beach, and had dinner. We finished up the documentary, “Before the flood” and we learned about CLIMATE CHANGE. It was interesting to learn how much we impact the environment and what we could do to make it better at home. Also we were too rowdy last night so we have to go to bed 15 minutes earlier. It sucks. And we might’ve learned our lesson. Also there are a lot of bugs here and it really sucks. Really bad. its so bad. You have no idea.
Day 6 done.
From the best leaders of the day to ever exist at a GLA program,

Claire, Ashley, Kate, Abrielle, and Robyn

Day 7

The group woke up to booming thunder and rain. Although the rain was strong, the group persisted. After a hardy breakfast, the Beach Side Service Adventure departed to Severe. The bus ride was long and bumpy, but the work that was done made it worth it. The Severe School was in need of much work. The walls were dirty, the windows and doors were rocky and falling apart, and the ground was uneven and filthy. The fact that kids have to sit in the grotesque environment while trying to learn is heartbreaking. The group set to work, sanding the walls, painting, and mixing concrete with the help of workers and the local kids. The group went on a tour to learn about the local customs. After a lot of hard work, the group left for a local market. The market changed the lives of many people. The kids aggressively begged for money, and the venders viciously tried to sell their products. The environment was  terrifying and everyone was put into an awkward position.
Once we returned to the lodge, we had a delicious dinner and the group had an active discussion about charity and its pros and cons.  We are very excited for the activities coming up in these last few days!

-Hunter, Brynn, Sophie, Dylan, Kelly

DAY 9!!!