NI HAO and HOLAA to the families and friends!!
This is Emely and Ava, the leaders of the day for CAP DAY #3 here with today’s daily blog. As usual, we started off with a 7 am wake-up call. this was difficult for us because We are both soft-spoken. None the less we persevered. We waited and tried again at 7:30 am. After waking everybody up, we had breakfast, ham, cheese, toast, cereal, and fresh guava, pear, and grape juice. We even had yummy hot chocolate, one con leche, and one sin leche. 🙂
Right away we headed to the CAP work site (Los Higos) and got there around 9:20 am. After arriving we went straight to work and finished the house we were working on the previous day. After completing the flooring for the second house, we moved locations to the third and final home of the project. We traveled home (La Salle), earlier than usual. For lunch, we had salad, white beans with rice, meatballs, tostones, and fried eggplant. It was very enjoyable and gave us the energy we needed to finish the second half of our workday.
Back at the CAP site, we continued on working: mixing the cement, filling up the wheelbarrow with sand, adding water and forming an assembly line to pass the buckets of cement. In addition to our hard work, we shared love and laughs (jajaja) with the kids of Los Higos. Los niños ran around tickling one another and us, playing tag, and making bracelets as gifts. It was muy divertida. While working thunder suddenly rumbled through the sky and quickly turned into a thunderstorm. At first, we thought that we couldn’t continue working, but the rain did not deter us. Both groups pitched in and continued working in the pouring rain, singing songs and dancing to keep our spirits up. We adapted and gathered as a whole. Once we finished our last batch of cement it was time for our despedida. We said our last goodbye to the local community. It was bittersweet and we hope to see you again soon, someday. ❤️❤️
We headed back home to la Salle and had dinner, which included, salad, spaghetti (alfredo sauce and tomato sauce), sweet plantains, garlic bread, and white rice. This was honestly the highlight of my day. (Ava)
(Emely) We finished the day feeling accomplished since we completed the CAP project. Working through the rain was stressful at first but everyone was able to pull through and unite as a whole group which was very nice to see. Being LDD was not my favorite part of the trip. Having to manage and be in charge of a group is definitely a lot of work, but being LDD was definitely a new learning opportunity that I will value forever.
(Ava) I had a different perspective on being LDD. My takeaway is to gradually become more a leader than a follower. Even when the morning was tough, I enjoyed that I got the opportunity to learn the responsibilities and importance of this role as a leader. Today, I felt like I was able to grow as an individual, and this experience really helped me to bring out my inner leadership. I feel like I’ve been hiding this side of me for years and I hope to take on more leadership roles moving forward in the future.
P.S. (Emely): HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! LOVE YOU❤️
P.S. (Ava): miss you mom and dad –> please comment more!!
Yayy. Congratulations guys. You completed the project. Even though it was hard work, I know you must feel accomplished. You will remember this experience and maybe be able to help others with what you learned.
It’s great that everyone was able to take turns to be a leader, even if just one day. Everyone should experience that at least once. Great job!!
Now you can get your much needed rest until your next assignment.
Hi Grayson, miss you, love you. Good night.
Hi Graycie.
I hope you are having fun. We miss you.
Madyson
Well done everyone! champion effort in the rain.
Fernanda, I hope you have photos of the cement floors. Can’t wait to see them.
See you Thursday! Hope you saved some clean clothes to travel back in.
Congratulations guys on finishing the house early.
Johanna I’m sure you loved the lunch yesterday since I know you love meatballs… we are seating at the airport Waiting for our flight. Can’t wait, I’m on zero sleep but happy, we should arrive around 9 am
Can’t wait to see you. Love u
Hey Jo, we arrived safely, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. We love you.
Great job all.
CAP 3 Done and done!!! Congratulations on completing your Community Action Project and in the rain no less!! Leadership roles can be intimidating, but remember that when you have these roles you have the authority to follow through. Use this as your driving force. Also think back how the other leaders of the day carried out their roles. Whose methods did you find were effective and efficient. Adapt some of those traits and eventually you’ll develop your own style.
You must feel very accomplished and very proud of yourselves as you very well should be. Take the time to celebrate the person you are becoming. The world is fortunate to have you!
Isa, we are so blessed to be your parents. You never cease to amaze us! CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!! We went to mama’s house. Mama, Nina, Mari and Titi Raquel all say hello and miss you!
Chaya, congrats on finishing the CAP project! I hope you felt accomplished too! The food and dinner sounded amazing! Only a couple more days so enjoy the time and you will be home in no time!
I love you and see you soon!
As y’all days are finally coming to an end, in Dominican Republic just know that we all saw and continue to see the hard work everyone has done. I so proud that everyone was able to give their all and dedication any loyalty to the project that was given to help others. Y’all came together and work as a team and got the job done with probably a lot of sleepless nights and early morning wake-up. I hope that this is an experience that you won’t never forget. y’all should feel wonderful giving back to people and their community. It was awesome and well appreciated looking at all the beautiful pictures taken each day. 🙂
I am so ready for Courtney to come back home now we truly miss you. LOVE MOM, DAD, BRITTNEY AND STORMIE !
Rachel I can’t say this enough how proud I am of you. The hard work you all have done supporting communities, learning culture and have fun without electronics and social media lol. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Your friends have been texting me too “when does she come back”. Your are truly loved ❤️❤️❤️
Congrats to each and every one of you for the successful completion of your CAP! Well done. Now get some rest and enjoy your last day. Coop, can’t wait to hear all the details. See you tomorrow night!
Hi,Ava,finally it is your turn to be leader,I know it is the first time ,but I am so proud of you what you have done.I know you guys wake up early every day,full of things to do, a lot of sweaty works,so tired,but you guys made it.I can’t wait to see you and tell me all about.Love you,Ava😀
Wow girls you did you great job! Keep up the great work you’ve all been doing. Ava im so proud of you and I’ve seen and learned first hand how you are slowly coming into your own. This is just the first steps in the many leadership roles you will encouter throughout your life and im sure you’re gonna crush it like always. Mommy and Daddy and your brothers all miss you and can’t wait to give you the biggest bear hug when we see you back home!!
Glad to see you working hard Emely and everyone! Can’t wait to see you !!
Enjoy your last day there and make the most of it!
We love you ❤️
Great job everyone. Chaya, looking forward to seeing you soon. Wishing you all a safe trip back.