Today was a long and emotional day for many of us. We started the morning off by waking up at 6 am and bundling up in long sleeve shirts and pants to go to the dump. Extra layers were necessary for precautionary reasons. After a tasty breakfast we headed over to the dump. Before even entering the dump, trash was scattered everywhere along the side of the road. When we finally arrived we were introduced to the kids that worked there. Most of the group were especially surpised that many young children around the age of ten worked at the dump, collecting things like bottles, metals, and paper to resell to support their families. We split into smaller groups and each group asked the kids questions about themselves. We then drew pictures of their answers for better visualization. As we asked questions the reality of the kids working at the dump became more clear. Many of the kids answers were heartbreaking. Not being able to receive a proper education or even a shower made this experience heart wrenching for everyone.
Leaving was hard for everyone but having this experience was once in a lifetime. We made our way back to the hostel and all showered. Each group then presented the drawings they made from taking to the kids, and then had a self reflection of our time at the dump. Soon after we took a bus ride to an organizatoin known as excuela movil. This organization is basically a school on wheels that travels to high risk areas where kids are unable to go to school do to unfortunate family situations. Half of the group went to Ninos del fortin and the other half went to Chavaladas. Both places were filled with loving and energetic children. Children welcomed us as we entered the ninos del fortin and Chavaldas. They showed us around and were eager to explain how the escuela movil worked. Many of us played baseball with the kids and enjoyed other games. Our time there proved to be a nice balance between having a good time engaging with the children and learning about their circumstance and how some community organizations aim to help them break the cycle of poverty.
Overall, today was a once in a lifetime opportunity that allowed us a peek into what some of the world’s poorest citizens experience for a lifetime.
Good morning to everyone have a fun day!!!!. Hola Mira espero te encuentres ya mejor y puedan salir con el grupo. Drink a lot of water and take breaks!! Have fun we love you much much much..
Well sounds like most if not everyone experienced somethi ng they have never seen before. Seeing it first hand has alot bigger impact then reading or seeing it on tv. It is unfortunate that those conditions exist in so many countries .
The kids in rough situations like that appreciate the smaller thing in life so much it makes you stop and think. I wouldve loved to hear some of your reflections of the day.
This trip is a learning reflection filled experience for all of us. Here at home I find myself think about things I couldve done and said, and wondering if the values and influences I imprinted will be good enough.
On the bright side. I know that everyone of you are smart enough to compensate for the areas we (at home) missed.
Thats what made me feel ok with Mikenzie going. Very smart and logical. Plus she is missed dearly at home.
Miss you lots girl looking forward to your return. Loki says hi.
It makes you not take what you have at home for granted. Looking and seeing the way the others live and how they survive on hardly anything at all. I am glad you all get to see it so you do not take what you have at home for granted and appercaite it more. Mickenzie you have a great heart and i am sure this was hard on you. Just know you are missed and i love you. Cannot wait to see you.. Hope your having fun and talk to you soon love mom
Nice job Heather, your summary made it clear that those children had a strong and positive impact on all of you. Seemed like you all learned much about the strength of the human spirit. Keep up the good work! Kelly
Hola Marisa y amigos y amigas,
Thanks Heather and Makaila for the informative dispatch. One thing I’m curious about is how if any the lives of these families have changed since the revolution. I’m hoping that the educational buses you described make it to these situations to hopefully assist the kids break this cycle of poverty that requires the entire family to scrounge for a living. As a previous writer said what’s truly astounding is how so many families in so many countries live this way to survive. While I know the experiences you all had were heartrending it was exceptional you were able to personally see, hear and feel these desperate straits and how much farther we as citizens of the world have to go to rectify these conditions. Hopefully within your lifetimes these situations will be far fewer than now if not ever completely eliminated. Stay safe, hydrate, keep on learning and we all are looking so much to seeing you soon back home.
The comments I have read are incredible. It seems you are all having an incredible time. I do think the education you are getting in another country and another culture are better than anything you could get at home. It will be great to see you when you get home, Marisa.
love Mama
We are all so blessed here in the U.S. (and Bay Area). I’m sure the experience touched each of you in a very profound way. It’s one thing to understand poverty-related statistics, still another to engage the children behind those numbers and hear of their daily struggles. You should all be so proud of the way you’ve embraced these experiences, stepped outside of your comfort zone, and made an impact on the lives of others through listening, helping, and smiling!
Great job Heather & Makaila. Sounds like it was an emotional, challenging, and rewarding day for all. You’ve all learned a lot and we are very proud. Certainty makes you appreciate all that we have. Love seeing all the pictures and reading the post. Miss and can’t wait to see you both! Keep up the good work.
As I sit showered, in clean clothes, in my A/C home, eating fresh food…I vividly recall my experiences in third world countries as a young adult and how they impacted my life and my choices even to this day. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and allowing us to be apart of it. It is a gentle reminder that helps me to recenter my soul. Well done! XOXO