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.
