Hola chicos y chicas!
I hope all is well with you back home and that you have readjusted smoothly after the two amazing weeks we shared here in Dominican Republic.
For most of you this was your first time traveling abroad by yourselves and I hope you are satisfied with the choice of place you made. It’s my desire that this island (which I love so dearly for being my birthplace) has showed you many lessons, including a little glimpse of what you’re potentiality is and the impact you can make one day in the world.
In the short time you were here you were able to share with communities that are extremely appreciative of the work you put into the projects that seek to make their livelihood less insecure. From contributing to the building of a clinic in the Haitian-Dominican Center of San Rafael, to painting the Clinic Los Patos, to restoring water wells in Cachote, to building a lab for the Clinic of Cachón, all of you have contributed to something bigger than yourselves and for that THANK YOU!
It is so easy during high school to be individualistic and only think of our own so-called “problems” (which we renamed situations) but YOU are all different… You care for others and want to see society make steps in the right direction, especially in terms of our global health, which encompasses everything from food, to shelter, to access to medicine and good quality medical attention. I’m very keen to see how you will all take part of this change that will take place in the future.
Amongst the memories we share I’ll always remember how competitive you all were playing capture the flag at Cachote, how hilarious the love you had for José was (he still asks about you), how much fun we had during our leadership activity with the obstacle course, the hard work you put into perfecting your cementing skills, your incredibly original rap styles (“4 bars and pass”) and of course, Bahía de las Águilas.
I can confidently reassert now what I told you after your Capstone presentations: I love how kind you were to each other and the way you challenged one another with questions, without any malice. Please keep that up. Keep looking out for people around you and getting better at knowing yourselves before making the rest of the world a less insecure place.
With all the love I have for you,
-Giselle (:
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