The day has finally come where we are able to fulfill the goal that we set out to achieve upon joining Global Glimpse and meeting the Suarez community. All of our planning, preparation, and community engagement will come into fruition. We started the day off by taking the bus to Suarez expecting only to paint the backstop and merely plan out the structure of our shade and our seating, but as we looked out the window, we saw that the Suarez community was already hard at work setting the foundation of our Community Action Project. This was the moment that we realized that our project was already off to a good start. Upon joining them in their work, we realized that even with their help, it would take all of our combined efforts in order to make a successful project.
Our first struggle came when we first arrived because we had to organize and find out what tasks each committee could fulfill. Once the tasks were assigned, each committee began working in their respective areas. The painting committee took the paint brushes and rollers and painted the entire backstop a very bright and luscious green. The shade committee helped the Suarez community set up the foundation of the bench and shade structure. The seating committee helped mix the cement and carried it to the Suarez community members working on the benches. The child management committee preoccupied the Suarez children and kept them safe away from the heavy construction. The management team oversaw the committees by allocating each management member to each committee. All the committees were driven to not let their dreams be dreams.
As it was time to say “¡Hasta mañana!” to the Suarez community, we took a glimpse at our work and realized that we did so much more than we expected. We were able to coat most of the backstop in green and were able to help the Suarez workers establish the foundation of their bleachers and shade structure. After working in Suarez, we took the bus back to the hostel and took a small break. We were exhausted, but we had to gather up our remaining energy for our fifth English tutoring session. Tutoring was fun, but it was also exhausting; it was also depressing to tell our students that it was going to be our second-to-last tutoring session with them. We had dinner shortly after our tutoring session. To our fortunate surprise, Rosaura’s served us muy delicioso tacos for our dinner tonight.
Working on the CAP with the Suarez community was a life-changing experience. From today, each and every single one of us were able to realize the amount of impact we could have as individuals and as a group. We realized that every single one of us had the ability to create a legacy for the future of developing communities like the one in Suarez. Although renovating their baseball field may not seem like a very impactful change in the eyes of most, this project will be able to benefit their lives of the Suarez community for the better. The renovations to the baseball field will help bring more spectators to the baseball games hosted by the Suarez community which will ultimately bring revenue to them. As a group, we realized that even though we may be underestimated as teenagers, we have the undeniable ability to build a positive legacy to any area of the world.
During the day, our group ran through some hurdles that turned out to be blessings. One of these hurdles was the fact that the Suarez workers did not completely trust us to do the work that they were doing. It was discouraging at first, but our group were able to find small tasks such as picking up trash, digging out dirt, or mixing cement to help make the construction of the benches and shade run as smoothly as possible. Even though we may not have been able to help as much as we wanted, this hurdle challenged us to build trust and relations with the Suarez workers. Ultimately, this challenge conveyed to us the importance of listening to a community’s needs and building a stronger relationship with them.
Hi Brian,
We love to read your blog about helping the community today. We are proud of you. We are glad that you have learned a lot of experience during the trip. Keep doing great work and be strong and safe. See you next week.
Love,
Mom, Dad, & Alex
hey ZACh dietz
This is is SPencer, jam1son and J@ck. JCK SAYS he likes your new room. jack misses you a lot. also he took your shirt. Brian has been in an angry mood since you left. come back soon.
Love,
JCK, sPenc3r , jam!son
I’m happy that you guys were able to help out with the project. It must be tiring, but in the end it’ll all be worth it. It’s amazing that you guys are doing this 4 the community. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself :))
Kailee & The Fab Glimpsers,
Truly amazing work, glimpsers!! So proud of all of you. I was so scare of letting you go this trip, Kailee, especially not knowing anyone from this group. I’m sure you’re friends with everyone in the group now. I hope even after this trip is over, the friendships and bonds that you’ve create will still continue. I feel so proud that you are a part of this Global Glimpse mission and all the great things that you’ve done. I feel very comforted with all the updates, strides, progress and impact you and the glimpsers are making every single day and every minute. I can’t believe how much you and the glimpsers have impacted the DR, the people and the community, especially together as a united team with all that you’ve done so far. You guys walk on water. Please pat yourselves on the back. You all deserve it. Working hard all day and early evening. Your dedication and commitment to your calling is very admirable and highly respected. It’s great to hear that you guys are trying to bridge the gap and earn the trust from the locals, especially teenagers from the USA. What an accomplishment today and the last few days. I’m sure you guys are proud of your work also. You guys may be teenagers, but I’m sure each one of you have grown in the areas of: maturity, analytical, negotiation, leadership, teamwork, responsibility, confidence, compassion, creativity, patience and much, much more.
Kailee, you’re missing the 98 degrees (no, not the male pop group from the 90s) weather that we had @San Ramon today. Tomorrow is going to be another scorcher day…about 100 degrees! Please don’t forget to take your weekly medicine. We’re counting down the days. Only 5 days left til we meet again. Can’t wait. And thank you for blogging every day. Thank you again to the the GG leaders (Gigi, Tara and Annie) and ambassadors (great work you guys! and thanks for keeping our kids safe and enjoying themselves also. Hope you guys are enjoying this trip also.)
Missing you so,
Mom, Dad & Didi
happy to see you’re having fun! have a safe return 🙂
Sam I am,
Very proud of you for all of your efforts in helping the community while you are there. It’s nice to see a group of young men and women able to impact a community so much in a short time. I love you and look forward to your return to us next week.
Love,
Dad
Hi Sam,
Great to hear about the CAP project and all your other experiences. Miss you and we’ll see you soon.
Love,
Mom, Dad, Sophie (and Grandma)