Thanks for your patience! See our account of yesterday below:
Hello friends and family, this is Fernando Ruiz from Tennyson High School and Judit from Summit Rainier. Today was a very interesting day. We experienced how the locals live. For example, some of our students were hoeing around, meaning they were hoeing the weeds in the fields, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping the floors. At first, many of the locals did not want to let us help them around the house. In order to make this happen, we had to insist on helping with their oficios, which are chores. After we finished helping them with their chores, a group of us, including the host families went to a river which was about a mile away from the community’s houses. Currently, most of these houses have running water, but before they had running water, they would have to walk every time to the river when they needed water. In fact, on our way to the river, we witnessed a very kind act from one of the children of the community. On our way to and from the river, there was a very steep hill where a little 7 year old offered to carry his little sister. These type of acts are very rare to see in our community that we live in and we are usually busy fighting with our siblings, while others cherish them. We realize that the locals are very caring people and want to give others little things, which tend to be all that they have. That is where I met the cutest little boy named Jorry who was two years old. He was quite a character. I loved that he was very talkative and we began to play around. This was one of the highlights of my day. After this, we then had a traditional lunch meal of the Dominican Republic. This was made up of white rice and beans. We allowed the locals to eat first and we interacted with them as well which was very fun for the both of us. Once we were done with lunch we loaded up on the guagua, which is the bus here in the Dominican Republic. We then headed back to the hostel in order to change to a more formal attire for our first day teaching at the liceo (Public school). The classes were divided according to their age groups ranging from 8-50 years old. Being the first time teaching classes like this to the community was very frightening for us, but there was mixed emotions for others. Thanks to the help of our ambassadors, we didn’t feel alone while teaching. Overall, it was a fun, exciting and interesting experience for both of us because for one we were the teachers. After that, we went to dinner and we had something very different. It was fried bananas with sunny side up eggs topped off with grilled onions and peppers. Some liked it and some didn’t. We finished our oddly satisfying dinner and headed back to the hostel and had our nightly meeting and reflection. To sum everything up, we believe everyone had an eye opening experience when seeing how the locals lived and how privileged we are in the U.S.
Excellent post! Congratulations on a job well done in the classroom and with your host family. I especially like how you’re appreciating the small gestures… like the brother helping out the little sister and actually volunteering to do chores!
Aww Fernando! I’m happy to hear that you’re helping out and noticing the differences in the communities. I hope that you continue to notice the contrast between our communities so that you and all the youth of Hayward continue to improve our community.
Keep helping and have good times there! Miss you lol
Hi Marisa! We didn’t get a chance to talk about your lesson plans, but I’m sure you did great!
And I think we should rethink your ‘oficios’ when you get back. ?
We are so proud of you, mija! Lita Julieta te manda saludos! We all excited to read the daily blogs and even more excited to see the pictures!
Love you!
Wow Jessica, you look so wonderful in front of a classroom teaching. You’re very confident. I love your big smile. Keep up the good work. I miss you lots.xoxoxox 9 more days to go. Levi is really missing you. Love you Mom.? By the way Grams came to visit at the house last night. Yay.
Gooo Judit! Awesome job being leader of the day (Hi Marisa, Amanda, and Meme <3) I miss you all and I am so excited to hear about your experiences in person.
@Richey: Hope you're having a great time. Our students are lucky to have you!
Absolutely amazing post! I love that you guys are able to interact and take part in everyday living. Insisting to help with chores was a huge gesture for the families I’m sure. When you return home remember how different things are when it comes to chores and take advantage of the amenities we have available to us in America and maybe insist on helping your parents with chores more often. The idea of someone wanting to give you a gift that is personal to them and as you said probably all they have got shows just how selfless the Dominican Citizens are. They sound to be kind caring and very giving, learn from them! If you come home with nothing else learned learn to be kind, caring and giving to others despite your differences. You don’t ever know who one random act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life.
Amanda I am so proud of you for being a part of this trip and doing such amazing things representing the US as well as your state and school. Make sure that when you leave the people you helped, taught and interacted with know your name and remember your not Bc you were the loudest or the most fashionably dressed but Bc you were you and one of the kindest young ladies there. You cared about what you were doing and who you were meeting. This trip should teach you so much and I hope it reminds you to continue being a grateful person. Grateful for who you are, what you have and where you live. Not everyone has things as good.
Te amo mija! ??? abrazos y besos
Tia Nini, primos Aaron y Zacky
Marisa,
Hola Mija! I’m sure you had a long day! Your parents will be happy to know that they can add pulling weeds to your list of oficios lol! ?
Good luck with your lesson plans. I’m confident YOU will do GREAT! Just be your beautiful self and have fun with the children. Their smiles will make it all worth it. ❤️
I’m sure you are learning many new things through this wonderful experience about a new culture, service, and gratefulness. Life is much simpler there compared to all of ours here and it’s something we should all strive for. Less stress, being happy, prioritizing what’s really important and just enjoying life:) You will surely grow more as a person.?
Looking forward to seeing your radiant smile in pics and hearing about your next aventura.
We love you! Echale ganas Mija, TU PUEDES!
Abrazos y besos,
Tia Tania y familia
Wow Zara! Eight year olds! Brave girl. Seriously, hope the teaching has gone well and you enjoyed it. Proud of you, Mom