Hola familia y amigos!
This is Kimmy and Rahul and we had the honor of being leaders of the day on “Work Like a Local Day”! Today’s focuses were educating our delegation on the food production industry and gaining an understanding for the education system in the Dominican Republic. We started the day off by visiting Fecadesj, a sustainable, organic coffee and crop plantation. Our delegation was split into groups and put to work on different stages of the coffee production process. Later, we gave English lessons to students ranging in age from 10 to 50 at the local high school.
Fecadesj stands for Federation of Coffee Growers and Farmers for Development in San Juan de la Maguana. The organization is run by Meraris Sanchez Contreras, who holds the organization to the belief that community support and sustainability are important factors for any food production business. We got to learn how organic farming works by seeing how natural fertilizers are used to ingrain the soil with nutrients, allowing for optimal plant growth. All the Glimpsers got their hands dirty picking out weeds, planting seedlings, and keeping the worms inside the soil. It was hard work, but all of us really enjoyed it!
At the English lessons, we were sorted into classes ranging from beginner to advanced, and paired with a local youth ambassador to do the class today. It was very eye-opening being at the high school because all of the students were very engaged and respectful. Our main focus for this class was getting to know the students and setting the classroom rules and expectations. We found it somewhat difficult to teach, but overall, the experience was meaningful.
Additionally, we initiated an interactive long-tem strategy game. This game provides opportunity for our delegation to bond even more than we already have and share some laughs. Our group has really awesome people and we have gotten very close already!
At our nightly meeting, we reflected on all the activities we did during the day. We talked about how seeing all the work behind producing coffee and other crops made us more grateful for the easy access that we have to many products. Many students also enjoyed getting to know the workers and learning about their experiences. Our discussion on English tutoring made us appreciate our teachers and schools more.
We are having so much fun!
Kimmy and Rahul
[Napoleon Dynamite]
Hi Kaylyn!
I am sure you probably have a new found appreciation for coffee after experiencing and seeing first hand the hard work and laborious process it takes to produce what is for us an easily accessible commodity. Hope you didn’t get too squeamish dealing with the worms! Love you Mom and Dad.
P.S. On your free day, please try to call us. I’m not working this Friday the 16th.
Hey Emi! It’s only been a few days, but I can just imagine how much you’ve learned and grown so far in San Juan. I miss San Cristobal and am super envious that you get to spend your delegation in the DR; hopefully you’ll get to enjoy a sancocho before you leave!
I’m just making the rounds and checking in on Mt. Eden’s Glimpsers inbetween Finals. Can’t wait to hear about all the triumphs and challenges when you return.
Safe Travels,
Mr. Denton
Hey Isabelle! So great to hear you are enjoying yourself and having a great experience. I told Noni and Papa about your experience with the coffee plantation – so (of course) they told Adrian at Steeltown 🙂
Can’t wait to see what else is in store for you! Love you Lu 🙂
Momma
Viet-Hai and Amy,
Glad to hear you guys are enjoying your time in San Juan. I can’t wait to hear more about your English tutoring. Did you try the coffee?? From what I remember is was delicious!! Hope to hear from one of you soon.
Love you guys!! Xoxoxo
~jess
Hi Benjamin! I hope you’re having an amazing time and experience at the coffee plantation and English tutoring. I can’t wait to hear more about your trip when you come back. AHHH things have been so boring without you. Hope you come back sooonn! Sovanny and I miss you so so so so much! SINGAL BONAE.
Tiffany & Co.
Hey Ragulian!!
Glad you hear about your trip, miss you a ton! Can’t wait to see you soon. Enjoy all the time you have and let me know all about it when you get back.
Safe travels!
Denise Ma
Hi Benjamin: Your mom and I are glad about all your activities there, specially your mom wants to thank your leaders to have allowed you to call back home for a while. Any improvement relating to the rash and itch on your elbow, could it be caused by some allergy to new water or food? Keep up your good spirit. Your mom missed you a lot.
Hello Micah,
So great to go to a coffee plantation and to teach English. Hope you are enjoying your time there and getting to know the people and culture there. I am so happy for you and I know this experience will enrich you and open you up to the diversity of this world. Miss you a lot. Enjoy your free day and the day at the beach.
Dad
So happy to read your blog entry, and learn about all that you are experiencing in DR.
sounds so meaningful, yet so fun. love you always
mom
Great to see you guys are definitely keeping busy and experiencing so many enriching encounters. Your blogs calm my anxiety =P
Tonight- Korra did something strange While getting ready for bed, she began whimpering and looking towards your clothes and blankets (since she moved into your room). She wanted to be comforted which is odd because-well
– she is one of our family members and usually doesn’t like affection haha.
I think she started to miss you and didn’t know how to express that. Like, she wanted me to make her feel better and explain where you were. It was cute and a little sad. So I let her have your blanket lol. After a small massage she fell asleep.
You are definitely missed. Don’t doubt that for a second. I’m sorry I missed your call, please call back soon.
Everyone- call your family! Even a 2 second hi and bye means the world!
Enjoy yourselves and write something down you want to share with us when you get back!
Luv you lots!
Carol & Korra
Hi Kimmy!
Sounds like you had quite an adventure today and quite the good group for your experience. So glad you got to lead the group and contribute to the teaching and working in the fields. I hope you make many lasting friends and memories from your time there. Since you know that I usually have trouble in the garden, maybe you can provide some tips on how to grow things when you get back. 😉
Love ya,
Dad
Hi Kaylyn!
It’s Mom again. So good to finally hear your voice again. Told Dad you love him since you somehow got disconnected. In case you and the group haven’t heard yet, the Warriors won the Championship Monday night! It was a close game, 129 to 120. The Warriors are having their celebration parade this Thursday the 15th in Oakland. So glad I won’t be working at BART. They are expecting a million people to attend the parade and rally! Came home late tonight and went on the computer to see if the latest blog has been posted yet. Many thanks to the group leaders for all your wonderful and informative blogs. I sure look forward to reading the blogs and all the amazing adventures the kids are having! Love Mom and Dad
HI Rahul!! I’m glad you’re having fun!! I hope the rest of your trip is beyond amazing and I can’t wait to hear all about San Juan de la Maguana. Hope you can give me some helpful tips and advice since you’ll be a seasoned veteran when you get back 🙂 Stay awesome ASB Pres!
Hi Viet-Hai,
Sorry I didn’t get to talk to you – Dad was not much of a help in relaying message. I’m sure you are having a great time & learning a lot.
How was the coffee? Hope you bought some so we can share when you get home.
Can’t wait to hear about your teaching experience. Have fun and stay safe (& don’t forget to take your meds).
Love,
Mom
Jess, my little giraffe, we miss you so much. We can’t wait until you come back! The gang is not complete without you. We love you so much !
I don’t know if my last comment got published but anyways I’m going to send it again. Jess, my little giraffe!!! We miss you, well me and drea do, so much!!!!! We can’t wait until you come back we love you so much !
Hi Sydney,
I’m writing to you late because I just need you to know we didn’t forget about you. If I didn’t see your photo, I assumed you were with another group. If you were here, did you get to taste the coffee? Love you lots!!!! Mom