Heyoooo, this is Bandana and Chelsea. Today we had a spectacular day with the honor of becoming the Leaders of the day for the start of the Cap Project. Being in the Dominican Republic has really opened up our eyes to how privileged we are in the States, to how we take everything for granted. From as little as not doing our homework, whereas kids in the DR aren’t even able to get a decent education. Not even swinging, but purposely putting our hands back when opportunity approaches. It shows how different the world is in every corner. As a whole we decided to build a sidewalk for the community of Loma De Yaque. We came to this project because the people in the community raised the problem that the kids did not have a safe passage to the classroom due to the rain making the dirt muddy- which resulted in making it unsafe for the kids to leave the classroom and getting their clothes dirty.
Today we had the opportunity to start building the sidewalk. As the leaders of the day, we got to step up and split the group into 3 small groups for different tasks. One group was responsible for watching over the kids in the community, second group was digging the foundation as well as mixing the cement and the last group was the wheel barrel group. Chelsea and I got to experience all three tasks. Starting from painting the kids faces to them painting ours, to moving the 50-pound cement bags, to digging up the foundation. We felt proud of our group today, everyone had this glow on their faces, with this unique and positive energy to help everyone. What amazed us was that when we asked the different groups to take a break or rest for a while, no one agreed. The motivation and the energy that the delegation showed today really impacted how the day went. Since our delegation is made up of mostly girls the local workers thought that they should do all the hard hands-on work and have us girls watch. Even though they were very persistent that we watch we decided on our own to pick up shovels and pickaxes and start digging. Today was also Fathers’ Day in the Dominican Republic so our work time was cut short. The locals were able to go home and spend time with their families. The culture in the Dominican Republic is something that will carry on because of how precious and exotic it is.
Okayyyyy, it is very late and Chelsea and I want to go to bond with the group.
Bandana: I love you mommy hajur, baba hajur, dada and all my friends and relatives. I miss you guys so much. And mamu, please make me dacchi when I come back, Baba hajur, don’t miss me too much and dada enjoy the last few days without me hehe.
Chelsea: For my family back home I miss you so much, especially my little baby brother Liam I can’t wait to wake up with you screaming in my ear. Can’t wait to be home in a few days.
Ariana Plante, Raymond and I really miss you! Looks exhausting and totally awesome! We can’t wait to see you and Jett on Saturday and hear all about it! Love you!
OMG LAUR I LOVE the pics of the face painting 🙂 so adorable!!!!
Enjoy every second you’re there!!!
Hi Bandana bunu. All of us miss you a lot as well. We are so proud of you and your thoughtful work and words in this blog. Love from mom, dad and me. Take care and see you soon.
Hi Bandana bunu. Not sure if my earlier comment sticked. So leaving it again. We miss you a lot as well. We are so proud of your hard work and thoughtful words. Take care and see you soon. Lots of love from me, mom and dad.
HI BANDANAAAA I MISS YOU, I hope you’re having fun but I’m offended you didn’t mention my name 😂😂 but I love you stay safe -pratima
I just can’t get over how much you all do every day!! Building a sidewalk seems like a very difficult task!! That pick-ax looks a darn heavy for that really pretty girl in the picture! ;)) 👋🏽 Hi J 👋🏽
The wheelbarrow jobs looks pretty difficult too!! While the childcare job looks like a lot of fun!!
I am so proud of all of you and through the different blogs, I see so much respect that you all have for each other, and so much respect for the people and their culture.
I see long-term friendships coming out of this shared experience!! 😎
Namaste
~ Blue
PS. How wide and long is that sidewalk going to be??
Hiiiiiii My Darling (Bandana), it’s your first time away from home and I can only imagine how much you missing all of us. We do too!! But you are there for such a good cause and we are all so proud of you. Keep up the amazing work and keep making proud. Love you much 💕 I wish you all the very best during your time there and come back soooonnnn!!!