“I’d rather be poor and happy than rich and bitter.” -A Community Member
Today our day started off in our normal routine- wake up call at 7am, breakfast at Onaney’s, and then an academic seminar by our AMAZING GG leaders, Karina and Sia. Our topic today was aid and development around the world. We discussed the different amount’s of aid and even learned some of the amounts that the US gives to other countries. The United States has actually always been the top donor except in the mid 1990’s when Japan briefly topped the list.
After our seminar, we had a few minutes of free time, where most of us took this as an opportunity to nap. Once the fifteen minute nap was over, we all gathered together again to listen to Joaquin Martinez, a Peace corps volunteer. We learned that the Peace Corps was a program that sends volunteers to different countries and allows them to do volunteer work to better the country. He had some great information since most of us hadn’t even heard of the program and we all gave great questions that got answered.
We then walked to lunch and after we finished, took the gua-gua (the bus) to the headquarters of Club Activo 20-30. This club is partnering with us for our CAP (Community Action Project), so we got to meet with the president, Cherry Encarnacion, and ask questions regarding our community before visiting it. Cherry was very helpful with getting to know just a little bit about our community. We know know that our legacy is just beginning here in the DR. From there, we went back to our hostel to re-group ourselves since today seemed to be the day that the heat and activities were really hitting us and we all were exhausted. We left about an hour later to head to Cristo Rey, the community we will be helping during g our CAP.
In Cristo Rey, we were aware that the main projects will be their playground that is worn down and unsafe, and their half basketball court which had a backboard that is falling apart and no net or lines on the court. While visiting, we got to speak with local adults and youths of all ages. The youth seemed to prefer to have us repair the basketball court while the adults were very clear that the playground should be a priority. From the information we got, we are hoping to make the basketball court acceptable and the playground a safe and homely place. This is also where we met Ana Marie, who lives in her two bedroom home with nine people! We also met her mother who said the quote I began with. After the discussions about the community, most of us joined in on a game of Tips, which is a game played with a basketball (everyone here really seems to love that sport). While some did that, others talked, laughed, and played with the local kids, who were SO ADORABLE!!
The night ended with amazing food, as usual, and a smooth sailing nightly meeting. We will be calling home tomorrow bright and early in California time so be prepared to answer phone calls on your way to work parents. Particularly I wanted to let mi madre y hermanos know that I love and miss you guys. I always look at the pictures I brought and actually showed a few students in my specific English class and they think you guys are beautiful. I’ll see you guys soon. Hasta luego!!
Hey you guys – the pictures you are posting are so small that i cannot see anyone – can you post higher resolution so we can zoom in and see them?
Very well written Mariah! I’m glad to see you’re enjoying you’re time there. Me and the girls miss you and can’t wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!!!
Hey DR delegates, I’m an ambassador for GG this year and It looks like you guys are having an amazing experience so far. Keep your minds open and your hearts welcoming. Your CAP project will be amazing and the people will forever remember all your work and love.
p.s. Hey whit, I hope you’re having a seriously awesome time and I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m so proud of you and all the other delegates on this trip.
Bye and good luck on the rest of your once in a life time experience! Big Love from Oakley, CA to the DR!
omg!!!!! well done Mariah im glad to see your using your Spanish lol u made me cry and kamahl and amiah laughed at me I miss you so much just to read your words felt like you were speaking to me I CANNOT wait for my phone call tomarrow (if I don’t answer u better keep calling till I do ) i cant believe tomarrow is a week since u guys left this is the longest you have been away i am so proud of you i hope your trying all the different foods with your picky self these blogs have become my life so please keep them coming along with the pictures it is just amazing what you guys are accomplishing out there i no i tried to talk you out of going but that was just my fear i am so glad you didn’t listen to me wen u have a calling there is nothing that can stop u (not evn your crazy momma ) please keep the excitement and curiosity through out the intire trip i new you wuld find the kids adorable u always do and im sure just like at home they loved u now go on and do great things in the DR give those kids a playground you imagined when u were a kid and fix that b ball court up and make dreams come true speaking of b ball the warriors just took the whole thing !!!!!!!!! Oakland is going crazy and there planning a parade as we speak !!!!!! i love u and miss you and cant wait to hear your voice tomarrow
Hi Mariah,
Thank you for the awesome blog. Very informative and exciting. Loved the pictures. Makes us feel like we are there with you. Just wanted to let you all know that the US Women’s Soccer team won yesterday 1-0 against Nigeria and will be moving on to the next round of the World Cup. Also, the WARRIORS are the NBA champs. Big parties in the Bay Area right now. Please give Jacinda a hug for me and tell her I am so sorry I missed her call this morning. I was at work on the phone and did not expect it to be her. Miss you guys and hope you are having a great time. Kirsten
BEAUTIFUL photos and words, thank you for giving all of us in the US a window into your world and your experiences.
Eliza & the GG US team
Nice blog Mariah. Our very own Director of International Programs, Jocelyn Juliao, is a Peace Corps alum of Cape Verde.
Keep in mind that even though the US is the largest net giver of Foreign Aid in the world, this is mostly due to the fact that we are both big and rich. As a percentage of GDP, the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, and Norway give the most aid of any country in the world. The US gives 0.19% of our GDP to foreign aid. When polled about this, the average American guessed that it accounted for 28%!! of our budget.
Thank you Glimpsers for keeping us posted.
Hi Irvin, sorry I miss your call this morning. I miss you so much but I’m glad your having such an amazing experience in DR. keep you self safe enjoy this in a life opportunity. take lots of pictures