Today’s morning consisted of a trip to Canada de las Palmas. In this small and close knit community the glimpsers got to meet one of our program coordinator, Jojo’s mother, Mama Maria. We were taught about her nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping the members of the barrio to thrive on their own. This was not an easy task to do for Maria, as her path of life was turned elsewhere and her visions of the future were obstructed. After working for Food for the Hungry in the capital, Santo Domingo, she decided to go back to her hometown of Constanza where she founded a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), Maria’s Kids. The dedication she has toward her community helped students appreciate the amazing opportunities they are given such as the easy access to scholarships for higher education, saving up money for their future and developing projects in communities around Constanza.
When we returned to our hotel we ate yet another delicious meal, while we continued to prep for our Community Action Project presentation, which takes place tomorrow. We split up into our three groups and developed a layout and budget for our project.
As leaders of the day making sure that everyone was on task and doing what they needed to do while being respected was honestly the most difficult thing about being leader of the day.
Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen digestion problems. We were asked to put a sample of our excrement in a cup for lab testing because there was a possibility that a bug was going around, which was causing diarrhea and constipation. This may be TMI (too much information), but it is important to know so you have something to ask your children about when they get home. It has been a crazy experience that has honestly left us scarred, but we are willing to laugh about it as long as we knew we would be okay. Even though this may sound scary to you guys at home please do not be worried as we are and will be okay.
Because of this situation, we were unable to attend English tutoring. Instead, half of us made a visit to the local health clinic while the other half passed out flyers to encourage more students to come out to English Tutoring classes.
Once we were finished, we headed back to the hotel for a bit of free time before a delicious meal of chicken and potatoes. Though being leaders of the day is overwhelming, and overall today was a weird day with all of the gastrointestinal issues and such, being leader of the day was a great experience full of amazing learning experiences. Today, we learned that we are lucky to live in a country that protects our rights, such as education, and although paying for college is often a struggle for families, we live in a society where it is possible to have the opportunity to attend college, unlike the Dominican Republic.
We hope everything back home is going well and we all deeply miss you guys!
- Grace (miss you mom and dad, I would call but I honestly don’t think I am emotionally stable enough to call and not want to come home, lol. Also, Jena if you are reading this I hecka miss you and love you, please tell the guys I say hi)
- Deya (hola grupo!!!!)
P.S. We only have the opportunity to call home on our free day #1, which happened on Monday, June 18, but we had technology difficulties with our phones so we will try calling home again on free day #2, which is this Friday, June 22.
Playing games with the kids at Cañada De Las Palmas
Our favorite kid 🙂
Our man Miguel in the school at Cañada De Las Palmas
The chicken coop!
Community members at Cañada De Las Palmas
Our adopted 1 month old kitten 🙂
Syd,
I love reading about the group’s adventures and challenges. Mom and I are so proud of you!
Fingers crossed that you were part of the handing out flyers group and not the the other… 🙂 Looking forward to hearing about your trip first hand!
Love you.
~Dad, Mom, Sam, and Luna
Sounds like today was quite a challenge. Hope everyone is back to good health.
Your adventure is like life, throughs you a curve ball once In a while, that how we grow and learn.
Enjoy every day, love you Jake.
Hi Gracie!!!
Sorry to hear about the poop issues, but glad you are all okay. Don’t you have some pills for gastro issues?
I’m sorry you are feeling emotional, but please don’t miss us too much — just enjoy where you are and what you are doing and who you are with. We miss you bunches, but we are so excited for your opportunity that it outweighs the sad feelings.
Keep enjoying each moment and all the adventures and the new and exciting places you get to see and all the interesting people you get to meet and know.
Love you mucho and can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!!
Love, Mom
P.S. Put that kitten in your bag and bring him home 😉
Hi Ming!
How are you guys doing? Thank God everyone’s alright there, and it’s not TMI (per leader of the day) it’s good that we know what’s happening there, all the details – thank you ?
Today – it’s been a week that I haven’t talk to you. Expecting a call from you on Friday that’s your free day #2 EXCITED! hehe ?
Correction: Shawn Mendes not Sean Mendez hahhaha
BTS photos are in Giant Coke can (I’m guessing in Korea) COEX Convention and Exhibition Center! DDAENG! DDAENG!!
Naver Dispatch release photos of BTS for their 5th Anniversary Party In LA! All of THEM looks so beautiful especially your bias TAEHYUNG! ? haha
Can’t wait to watch BTS PROM PARTY 2018 FESTA #1 and #2 DDaeng!!
Ingat please ?
Pray ka ?
I purple you ?
Goodnight muuahh!
Love ~ Omma ~ Mommy ?
Hola Criseyda cómo estás ya solo te queda una semana espero que te la sigas pasando bien nosotros aquí te extrañamos William dise good night baby y también dise I Love ❤️ teté cuídate mucho te queremos mucho ???? que disfrutes mi princesa
Dear Kate,
It sounds like the group had a tough day. We are so proud of how mature all of you are handling these situations. Trying not to worry…
Love you Sugar Bear
Hi Glimpsers! You’re doing wonderful outreach work in the DR, so remember to pat yourselves on the back and hug those that are homesick. Wishing you all good health and happiness – Mom, Dad and Jared Saro
Missing you on my morning Mt. bike ride Jake! No new bike yet. Good luck with your community project!
Here’s 2 jokes to brighten your day…Why are libraries so strict?
They have to go by the book! tee hee hee
What happened to the plant that lived in the math class?
It grew square roots! ha ha ha
Hey Mina (:
Been missing you so much lately.
Really, summer isn’t the same without you here to complete the group.
I can’t believe it’s been so long since we’ve talked and hung out.
Not gonna lie it’s hard but I know you’ll be back before we know it.
Gosh, the whole gang misses you a bunch so I’m not the only one.
Brandon even gave you a shout out in a message he sent from Ecuador!
And I know you miss all of us too, but don’t worry we know you’re thinking of us.
Because if you get a little homesick, just remember to let go and let God.
You are serving a higher purpose on this journey so keep that in mind when things get a little tough.
Be glad that you get this opportunity to help others in the tremendous way you are blessed with.
Also remember you’re making us all proud, so keep up the great work.
Can’t wait to see you when you come back!
Keep having fun for the rest of us so you can share all your stories!!
~GLOCKoma
HEY SYDNEY ITS BEN,
I just got back from riobamba, Ecuador! I had so much fun and am currently laying in bed with my dogs, probably will go to Jake’s later today. I had a really fun time and hope you are too, I’ve been back in San Jose for about 4 hours and already miss you. Can’t wait to hang soon but enjoy every second!
Love Ben Serv
Hi Nenita, how are you? Today Mariana taught me how to go on the global glimpse page, so I can write you a little message, hoping that you’re learning and having fun at the same time, we all miss you but I know that you’ll be home soon, I love you mamita, and please say hello kitty to Emely, give her a big hug from all of us , and one for you too. Love, papa
Hi Nenita, how are you? Today Mariana taught me how to go on the global glimpse page, so I can write you a little message, hoping that you’re learning and having fun at the same time, we all miss you but I know that you’ll be home soon, I love you mamita, and please say hello kitty to Emely, give her a big hug from all of us , and one for you too. Love, papa?
Hi Florence
This is mommies 3rd message i hv sent, i hope you are getting them. I hope you are feeling better. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH. Hope you are enjoying yourself helping others. I love you.
Love Mom, dad, iman, nay, anma, uncle, Ad, auntie……:)
Florence: how amazing to get your call at the exact time I was turning up my phone ringer so that I would not miss your call today (cos I read here that you guys will be calling family today)!
I am glad that you are doing great. Make sure that you take the antibiotic as prescribed even if you feel better.
We are all excited here knowing you are having a great life experience in DR.
Say hello to your new friends too!
–From all of us!
Hello Zhonna,
So sorry I missed your phone call yesterday☹️The greenhouse idea for the kids should give them a necessary skill to grow healthy foods for their family & others. Can’t wait to get home & plant more veggies in our garden soon? Hope you are enjoying new friendships and aren’t too homesick.
Thinking about what an experience this is living in another country, trying new foods, learning about another culture, and being away so long from your family/friends.
Miss you. Love, Mom?
Hi Kristen 豆豆
Is your dad again. Hope you and your friends are staying dry. Saw many pictures of you and your friends on the website . Proud of you guys making a impact to that community. Can’t wait to hear your voice again . Love you ? see you soon.
Dad.