Hola hola mi gente!
We can’t believe it has already been so long since our Dominican Republic trip ended! We can still
hear all your vivacious laughter from over the palm trees and among the skwarks from the roosters…
Do you miss chicken and rice yet? We knew you would! We miss you all here at the lodge. We still
reminisce about our lollipop moment closing ceremony….you were such a memorable group. We
want to say thank you for your effort, participation and energy that you put into the project this
summer. We could not have done it without you.
We have fond memories of waking up peacefully and heading down to the beach to yoga, meditate
and watch the sunrise. Of heading to work sites at Caño Dulce and Polanco, and the adventure
days, anticipating the beautiful waters and the white sandy beaches. We know that you guys are
probably starting back with school (or college YAY) but we wanted you to know that we will forever
remember the laughs and good times that we shared. I hope that you know your time spent in the
Dominican Republic did truly make a lasting impact on the communities here, you have left your
stamp in the cement and in our hearts.
You will forever be a part of the work done at Polanco, providing water for a community of over 200
people. Clean water management is fundamental to global health. Almost one tenth of the global
disease burden could be prevented by access to clean water, and you guys have played a part in
this important puzzle by helping to install a water tank and provide bathrooms to numerous families.
We are paving the way to better health for these communities by putting in concrete floors, which not
only aids the living and cleanly conditions of a family, but helps keep them safe from infectious
preventable diseases and respiratory infections. Our brigade days and vitamin distribution were very
successful, you guys treated 89 patients and handed out vitamins to 58 children and 4 pregnant
women, which is integral to their physical and cognitive development.
We hope that you take the skills and knowledge from this trip into all aspects of your life, and that
you remain to be globally engaged, hardworking and motivated to make a different to the wellbeing
of people all over the world. We were so impressed with the effort put into participating in our
lectures, and capstones, thank you! The quality of your capstones were astonishing and have given
Us as a team a lot of inspiration. We remember you as garbage eco- friendly, mental health
awareness raising kitchen safety crew!
Not to mention the hard work you guys did, we also had so much fun! You guys made the group as
great as it was as you all brought your individuality to the table. We were all blown away from how
well you all worked together and provided each other strong emotional, mental and physical support.
This is what true leaders are made of, we give each other a step up so we can grow together.
GHI.A – you were amazing! The level of care and concern that you showed to each other, the staff
and the members of the community will never be forgotten.
Here are Some special moments from our trip:
-Jumping into the blue water from the zipline at Dudu Lagoon
-All the evenings dancing with Ideliza, Loubens and Guillermo
-Playing basketball after the vitamin distribution
-The impromptu beach surprise afternoon at Playa Alicia
-The lollipop leadership moment ceremony, and all the happy tears….
-Painting the houses at Caño Dulce, and learning about the families stories
-Getting caught in the thunderstorm ay Rio Yasica!
-Playing the panuelo game on the beach
-The Clinic Brigades, and the playful and cheeky children
-The Last sunset together on the final evening.
-The star gazing night.
Please stay connected! We hope to see you again.
Abrazos,
Hilary, Averi, Guillermo, Isabella and Ideliza
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