Yesterday, the group went to the center in the city to start the day off. We continued working with the kids' personal journals and sat down to work with more kids than were present the previous day. As always, the kids showed us how much fun they can have doing the simplest projects. The energy and power these kids emit is undefinable.
Later that day we went to the country organization to have our last day with these kids. It was field day, and everyone was so excited to be able to present all the activities that we've been working on for so long. Of course, it rained... but that did not phase our team, and we ended up doing all the activities inside. We took a walk to "the dump," but were not able to climb the steep hill in the rain. It was a powerful experience none the less.
It was a very emotion goodbye as we left the center and our new friends.
Our last day at the center was today, and our advisors along with the staff at the center constructed an epic pirate scavenger hunt game full of activities that allowed us to run around the city with the kids. Everyone is in consensus that today was the perfect end to an amazing week with this group of kids.
We had a reflection with the staff of the center that was both touching and inspiring. Despite the high level of sadness about leaving, our team is extremely content with all the work we were able to do this past week.
What an extraordinary and life changing experience this week has been for all of us...
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday, March 4....
We woke up today and went to the city again with everyone to start the kids' personal journals. It was great to sit down and work with them. Their energy and interest was not unmatched by their will to have fun with anything and everything. We even ended up having a mini war with the stamps we were using.... war paint for everyone. As usual, we ended up on the basketball courts to play with everyone, and it was great to see the kids in their element.
Later today we took a trip back out to the country to work with more of the same group of kids some of us saw Monday. We had three groups; art and literacy, math and science. All of the kids were so well behaved and welcoming, and everyone had an incredible experience.
Reflections... how significant that time has proven to be...
Later today we took a trip back out to the country to work with more of the same group of kids some of us saw Monday. We had three groups; art and literacy, math and science. All of the kids were so well behaved and welcoming, and everyone had an incredible experience.
Reflections... how significant that time has proven to be...
Tuesday, March 3...
Today the entire group went to the city to work with the kids, and those of us that did not go yesterday were introduced to an extraordinary organization and staff. We were able to sit down with the kids as they ate breakfast, and then the activities began. We had an amazing time playing games with the kids, having them take pictures, and playing some guitar. All of the children that we have met so far are incredibly individual and fantastic to work with.
In the afternoon, we took a bus to a village that has been working so hard to build a school. We walked around the village and we taken back by the kindness and warmth of the people in the community. The school, which was next to nothing ten months ago, had several buildings complete and others in the process. We got to sit and interact with some of the kids of the community in a classroom (which was beautiful), singing songs and painting all of our faces.
Our reflections were full of inspiration and emotion. We are all so ready for tomorrow...
In the afternoon, we took a bus to a village that has been working so hard to build a school. We walked around the village and we taken back by the kindness and warmth of the people in the community. The school, which was next to nothing ten months ago, had several buildings complete and others in the process. We got to sit and interact with some of the kids of the community in a classroom (which was beautiful), singing songs and painting all of our faces.
Our reflections were full of inspiration and emotion. We are all so ready for tomorrow...
Monday, March 2, 2009
March 2nd, Off to work with the kids...
Today we split into two groups, the majority went to the Center in the city, while a select few went to the country to a community center to meet another set of kids for the first time.
The first group in the city had a great time interacting and playing with the kids. They played dodge ball, took pictures, and even had some of the kids take pictures and video of the activities.
On the way out to the community center we reached a point where it seemed like we were in an entirely different country. We were presented with an introduction video that showed us what life is like for the children that live here, working in the dumps for money. After all the introduction songs from the kids, our small group spit up into two groups of two to work with the kids. One group did necklaces with beads, while the other had music and literature activities.
When our morning session was at an end we all met back at the hotel to share our amazing experiences and eat some lunch, which was great.
Next, the entire group made the venture back out to the community center. We watched a short documentary and the director of the program explained the history of their project, and the dreams that they all have for the program. It was heartbreaking and inspiring to hear the director speak so passionately about his goals and ambitions for the center, and it touched everyone deeply.
When we got back to the hotel we reflected on the day, and the overall opinion was that we all want to move here and help in any way we can... at once!! I can't even begin to describe the emotions that we are all feeling, so I'm not going to try. It is personally the most inspiring and life changing experience I have ever been presented with, and everyone agrees that it will be incredibly hard to leave. We all want to stay forever!
....Robins BFF wants Robin to tell her Godsons Charlie and Dylan to know that they are with her every moment that she is working with these special children...
The first group in the city had a great time interacting and playing with the kids. They played dodge ball, took pictures, and even had some of the kids take pictures and video of the activities.
On the way out to the community center we reached a point where it seemed like we were in an entirely different country. We were presented with an introduction video that showed us what life is like for the children that live here, working in the dumps for money. After all the introduction songs from the kids, our small group spit up into two groups of two to work with the kids. One group did necklaces with beads, while the other had music and literature activities.
When our morning session was at an end we all met back at the hotel to share our amazing experiences and eat some lunch, which was great.
Next, the entire group made the venture back out to the community center. We watched a short documentary and the director of the program explained the history of their project, and the dreams that they all have for the program. It was heartbreaking and inspiring to hear the director speak so passionately about his goals and ambitions for the center, and it touched everyone deeply.
When we got back to the hotel we reflected on the day, and the overall opinion was that we all want to move here and help in any way we can... at once!! I can't even begin to describe the emotions that we are all feeling, so I'm not going to try. It is personally the most inspiring and life changing experience I have ever been presented with, and everyone agrees that it will be incredibly hard to leave. We all want to stay forever!
....Robins BFF wants Robin to tell her Godsons Charlie and Dylan to know that they are with her every moment that she is working with these special children...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March 1, Day 2 Vamos a la Ciudad y la playa
Today we woke up early after a late night of dancing and festivities. Breakfast is always a bit confusing with the language barrier, but it was delicious none the less once everyone received their order. The bus ride was a few hours, but it gave some of us time to catch up on sleep and talk about the day to come. We arrived around ten o'clock and began exploring the city, eventually breaking into smaller groups so that everyone could get the most out of our time here. The historic city was littered with beautiful architecture and we were able to see the first cathedral of the new world. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we could have spent hours looking around the city, in the local shops and walking along the coast, but after two hours it was time to meet back at the bus and embark to the beach.
Driving to the beach was an experience in itself as we were surrounded by the culture and the bluest water. Once we parked, we walked through a mini food market that smelled amazing before reaching the sand and the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. The people were beautiful and welcoming, minus the hotel workers that did their job to rip us American tourist off ridiculously. We met so many people, and a few of us played soccer (futbol!) with some kids on the beach. There was a dish of food that included an entire grouper with papas fritas that was amazing, though it might have been the cause of stomach problems among the group. Overall, the beach was overwhelmingly beautiful and an epic experience.
When we got back we decided to just get some food and prepare for the next day, packing suitcases and such... what a great day.
Driving to the beach was an experience in itself as we were surrounded by the culture and the bluest water. Once we parked, we walked through a mini food market that smelled amazing before reaching the sand and the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. The people were beautiful and welcoming, minus the hotel workers that did their job to rip us American tourist off ridiculously. We met so many people, and a few of us played soccer (futbol!) with some kids on the beach. There was a dish of food that included an entire grouper with papas fritas that was amazing, though it might have been the cause of stomach problems among the group. Overall, the beach was overwhelmingly beautiful and an epic experience.
When we got back we decided to just get some food and prepare for the next day, packing suitcases and such... what a great day.
February 27th, Day 1 Vamos a la Republica Dominicana!
Hola everyone,
We arrived in the Dominican Republic safely yesterday evening. We had a safe drive to our lovely hotel and spent the evening exploring the area. We discovered that we arrived during Independence Day and enjoyed a wonderful surprise fireworks show, concert and carne food. We also met some people who were on our plane from Melbourne, FL. Throughout the night we enjoyed walking around the local monument and taking in the Dominican culture as well as the wonderful sights. We met a lot of nice locals who spoke English as well as some ones that like to try to sell us everything under the sun. One person spoke to us of how much pride he has in his country, how much he loves the Dominican and how beautiful it is. Despite our slight language barrier, it was a very rewarding conversation.
Today, February 28th, was our first full day in the DR. We had an early start (6:30am) and woke to homemade breakfast, fresh squeezed orange juice and Dominican café. We then made the short walk to one of the first centers we are to work with during our ten day stay. After a brief introduction we all boarded busses bound for a camp in the mountains; a hands on group building workshop. Today our group and the students at the center were going on a field trip.
We began the day with some activities meant to break the ice between our group and the kids, and it didn’t take long before we were all mingling and communicating despite the language barrier. The activities included some strenuous physical relays that brought us all together and forced smiles and laughter among any that participated. Everyone had an incredible time running around and making friends, and towards the end of the day we sat down for a reflection where we discussed the impact of our interaction thus far. Some tears were shed and hearts were opened as we realized how significant of a trip this would be, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We were taught that even though you have a language barrier, language should never stop you from being able to communicate through a smile, through a laugh or through your body language to the people around you. One of the advisors from the center told us “you never walk alone.”
For the rest of the day we took part in a mini “Olympic game” session and slowly built our smaller groups of two and three people, to seven and ten and then eventually we all bonded together. Our memories thus far are unforgettable and are proven in the hundreds of pictures we have taken. We even received contact information for one of the counselors at the camp. She speaks English very well. She was taught at a Dominican institute and she even knows a slight bit of French.
For the evening we are on our own. Some of us are heading out to the town, some of us are sleeping, but we are all waking up early to eat breakfast by 6:30am to head on a road trip to another city and the beaches…Hasta manana!
We arrived in the Dominican Republic safely yesterday evening. We had a safe drive to our lovely hotel and spent the evening exploring the area. We discovered that we arrived during Independence Day and enjoyed a wonderful surprise fireworks show, concert and carne food. We also met some people who were on our plane from Melbourne, FL. Throughout the night we enjoyed walking around the local monument and taking in the Dominican culture as well as the wonderful sights. We met a lot of nice locals who spoke English as well as some ones that like to try to sell us everything under the sun. One person spoke to us of how much pride he has in his country, how much he loves the Dominican and how beautiful it is. Despite our slight language barrier, it was a very rewarding conversation.
Today, February 28th, was our first full day in the DR. We had an early start (6:30am) and woke to homemade breakfast, fresh squeezed orange juice and Dominican café. We then made the short walk to one of the first centers we are to work with during our ten day stay. After a brief introduction we all boarded busses bound for a camp in the mountains; a hands on group building workshop. Today our group and the students at the center were going on a field trip.
We began the day with some activities meant to break the ice between our group and the kids, and it didn’t take long before we were all mingling and communicating despite the language barrier. The activities included some strenuous physical relays that brought us all together and forced smiles and laughter among any that participated. Everyone had an incredible time running around and making friends, and towards the end of the day we sat down for a reflection where we discussed the impact of our interaction thus far. Some tears were shed and hearts were opened as we realized how significant of a trip this would be, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We were taught that even though you have a language barrier, language should never stop you from being able to communicate through a smile, through a laugh or through your body language to the people around you. One of the advisors from the center told us “you never walk alone.”
For the rest of the day we took part in a mini “Olympic game” session and slowly built our smaller groups of two and three people, to seven and ten and then eventually we all bonded together. Our memories thus far are unforgettable and are proven in the hundreds of pictures we have taken. We even received contact information for one of the counselors at the camp. She speaks English very well. She was taught at a Dominican institute and she even knows a slight bit of French.
For the evening we are on our own. Some of us are heading out to the town, some of us are sleeping, but we are all waking up early to eat breakfast by 6:30am to head on a road trip to another city and the beaches…Hasta manana!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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