Hello families back home! We started our morning off with breakfast of cheese and ham. Afterwards, the entire group hopped on the bus. The bus ride was about 30 minutes, filled with unbridled excitement towards our project. Upon our arrival to San Luis, we were greeted by the friendly community that we would be helping and split into our predetermined committees. One of the groups (which Dat was in) picked up the many layers of trash that were scattered around the perimeter of the community center, while another group painted the insides and outsides of the center. The third group (which Mitchell was in) worked on fence construction, where they dug holes and made cement to solidify the base of the fence. Once we finished the CAP project work for the day, we headed back on what seemed to be a shorter ride, maybe due to the fact that everyone was exhausted from the intense manual labor. The group changed into business casual clothing in order to get ready for our last day of English tutoring. It was a life-changing event that was shared by both the teachers and the students. After we finished classes, all the students, regardless of age, wanted to take pictures of us, and then it was a sad goodbye. We came back to the hostel afterwards, had dinner, and had a great meeting to close out the night.
Now we need to do a reflection. Yay! Today, we started a movement that could change the lives of an entire community and their children. We hope that everything we did today, and what we will do tomorrow will last, but with everything we’ve seen within the communities and others like San Luis, we have our doubts. But we also have our hopes. The future generation of San Luis is educated and we know that the community will be getting help from environmental programs in the DR. For me personally (Mitchell), everything that we have done in San Luis has changed my thought process, because I used to never think about what was going on, other than where I was at the moment. But now, there’s some part of my mind that will always be thinking of San Luis and what’s going on in other countries dealing with poverty. And for me (Dat), doing what I did today, which was get my shoes all muddy (order me new kicks please) while wading through the trash filled wasteland that is San Luis was an eye opener. I realized that not everyone lived where there are as many privileges as in the United States. Moving forward, I’ll always help those in need, and fight for struggle of the lower class.
We hope that everyone who is reading this blog understands that they can’t just focus on themselves, but on the less fortunate as well. The trip so far has been amazing and everyone gets along really well. It’s sad to think that this will be over in a few days, but we’re glad to come back to hot showers and watching Netflix in our comfortable beds. Well that’s all we have for our blog, and we look forward to telling our stories when we get back. Big love to everyone reading this!
I’m so glad you’ve been able to experience how great it feels to help people who are truly less fortunate. The teaching experience and the sad goodbye’s are a testament to how much the help you all provided has meant to the community.
Looking forward to having you home Mitchell!!
Wow, wow, wow!!! Thank you Mitchell and Dat for sharing your amazing CAP day!. You’re awesome! We can’t wait to see more pictures of the complete project. We believe CAP 1 is being done with all your hearts,efforts and definitely is a wonderful memory from you to all the hospitality local as well. Keep up Glimpsers 🙂
Dat, we’re so proud of you and of course, will get you a new shoes 🙂 Love you! Mom, Dad, Theresa and Louis.
Way to go, Nephew! We’re all very proud of you. Can’t wait to hear all of your stories.
-Chu David
Travel safely Global Glimpsers! Looking forward to meeting you all at the airport and Carter to seeing you, hearing all the stories about the great DR adenture, and seeing more pictures. Be sure to take some pics of your project, your hostel and the surrounding area so we can get a window into where you all spent 18 days immersed in the local community. Enjoy your last day! -Dad
HI DAT. I anticipate not only your return home, but how you have changed as well. The exposure to different people, lifestyles, and cultures, must have affected your mentality and outlook on the unfortunate. Hopefully, you’ve developed an appreciation or deeper understanding for the opportunities offered and given in America. It’s amazing to hear about your experiences about on the journey I wish to embark on one day :)))). you should’ve sacrificed the ugly sandals for your nice shoes hehe. update on what’s going on at home!!: I really love shigatsu wa kimi no uso , it’s so amazing and I think tsubaki is gonna die in the end ;((. BUT I’m completely infatuated with Naruto. I’ve even ordered naruto stuff on Amazon hehe they’re so cute. I’ve also gathered more anime reccomendations anime is actually amazing thank you for changing my life. o yeah I’ve developed a newfound interest in Korean drama and I can’t stop watching Descendants of the Sun. oh oh and I’m level 150 on maplestory, but my luminous isn’t that great and I’ve started a Mercedes on Bera and she’s off to a realllly good start. you need to fight a wise priest with me when you come back because he always kills me and I can’t beat him(there’s the nine tail damage skin that I REALLY WANT.) Louis comes in your room at free will now :// you should fix that ASAP. don’t want you to come home bc your computer is so fast and amazing and you have 2 screens and I’ve been getting passing grades in math but I’m still failing but Yeah CYA.
HI DAT. I anticipate not only your return home, but how you have changed as well. The exposure to different people, lifestyles, and cultures, must have affected your mentality and outlook on the unfortunate. Hopefully, you’ve developed an appreciation or deeper understanding for the opportunities offered and given in America. It’s amazing to hear about your experiences about on the journey I wish to embark on one day :))
What a great experience and the opportunity to serve those who are less fortunate than we are. Thank you for your service.
Chu Anthony (Tieu).
This is Dat’s dad : Can not wait to see you this Saturday. I know you learn a lot on this trip. You also see life on other side of the world. I am ready to teach you how to drive the car now.
Love this picture of you, Bronte!