Although we derive from a variety of cultures and socioeconomics, our group united in our horror at the conditions we witnessed in the Haitian barrio. Despite our low energy levels in the morning, the friendly and embracing attitudes of the Haitian immigrants that greeted us lifted our spirits. Today, we witnessed a side of the Dominican Republic that opened our eyes to the unimaginable poverty and social discrimination of Haitian immigrants in this country.
The community of Colonia Kennedy shared their homes, hearts, and life stories with us. Hearing about their current situations and the loss of hope for a better future deeply saddened us. Every day the immigrants experience heavy discrimination, including unfair wages, poor living conditions, and segregation from the Dominican citizens. In fact, the government of Dominican Republic established a law in 2013 that stripped Haitian immigrants of their citizenship dating back to 1929. Additionally, this rule prevents people of Haitian ancestry born in the DR from receiving a citizenship from their homeland. However, these issues have not completely deteriorated the community’s lively spirit and tradition, as seen by the fun dancing session we all had.
We also heard from a different perspective on what it means an immigrant in the Dominican Republic: the story of Michel, a Venezuelan immigrant. Moving away from the political turmoil in her home country, Michel created a better life in Constanza as she worked hard to support her family. In addition to sharing her life story, she took the time to help us make bracelets and talk to us. With her yellow, blue, and red bands, Michel embraces her Venezuelan roots and shares her cultural heritage with those around her.
This experience inspired our group to make an effort to take action on aiding the poor Haitian immigrant community. We held an amazing nightly meeting filled with great ideas and plans for the future. Together, we reflected on what we experienced today and united on the fact that change is needed. The world has not seen the last of Constanza C2B.
Unbelievable what immigrants have to go thru when seeking a better future. I hope you’ll are taking advantage of this learning experience. Love and miss you, Lucy
Hi Karan,
Enjoy, have a great time!!
Raj
Hey Bella,
From the Blogs I have been reading it sounds like you guys are having a great time. Make the most of your time there and take care.
Looking forward to the next blog!
Miss you!
This brought tears to my eyes just reading about it, and you guys are there seeing it first hand. I will be on board to help anyway I can. Now Aniya your bunny chewed out of his new pin I purchased for him and was running loose all over the house luckily Mourice was there. He had to chased him for an hour to get him back in . e had to put pillows there so he couldn’t escape. I had to leave work to go buy another cage since I threw the old one away. This rabbit is driving me crazy LOL. Love you.
Wow this brought tears to my eyes just reading it. What an experience for you guys to witness this first hand. On another note Aniya your bunny has been really acting up. He chewed through his play pin and ran loose through the house. Luckily Mourice was there. He chased him for an hour I had to leave work and go by another cage. Elliot is really driving me crazy. I will never keep him again ever LOL
Hi Chula.
We miss you lots.
Love Mom
I’m glad that GG doesn’t sugar coat anything with your trip and the contradictions you see there. It is good that you were able to connect with some Haitian people in DR. There is an uprising underway in Port-au-Prince right now that is hundreds of years in the making thanks to France and the U.S.
We miss you Aaren!! Love, Mom, Dad, Jasmine and Chatter
Hi Aaren and friends,
I am glad that GG doesn’t “sugar coat” anything with the trip and that you were able to see the conditions that Haitian people face in DR.
There is an uprising underway in Port-au-Prince that started Saturday that was hundreds of years in the making thanks to France and the U.S.
We miss you!
Mom, Dad, Jasmine, and Chatter
It’s good to see all the smiling faces. Jenny, we’re happy to see that your enjoying this trip. We miss you!!!
JSK Vikrambhai – Jambo Jambo – missing you – hope you are having fun and keeping well .. Hugs from all of us 🙂 Kwaheri
Dear Sheyna,
Very proud of you and your buddies for all the things you are learning and making an effort to help the immigrants. It was very touching to read about what you all witnessed there today.
We are enjoying the blog updates! Sapphy is getting her matt trimmed on Wednesday, you’ll be happy to see her without matts when you get back:)
Hi Sheyna,
This was very informative. It’s very sad to know about Haitian immigrants in DR. Glad you were all able to meet with them. Great to see you are all smiling and getting to experience so much. We miss you and love you.
Dad, Mom, Kaylin & Sapphy
It always saddens me when I hear how the Haitians are still being treated as less of a human being. I’m happy you are there to show love and your best understanding. I know you are gaining a new perspective on life on this trip and I am just so proud of you. Hope you’re healing well. Love you very much, Mom