Hello everyone, it’s Lisette and Sofia here to keep you up to speed on our daily adventures.
Today was an eventful day full of new experiences and bonds. As a group, we were able to learn how to balance our wishes for what we wanted for community and what the community actually needed. In addition, we learned how to stay committed and engaged to the multiple projects that we were having a part in. Shortly after arriving in Colonia Kennedy, we had our first eye opener when we realized that we had only a day and a half to finish our three very complex projects. During our time in Colonia Kennedy we were able to repaint the outside and inside of the community center. We also created two murals that represent the community of Colonia Kennedy that you are able to see as you enter the building. We also started to fix the damaged part of the walls with cement and started working on painting the logo. Something that really moved us as a group within Colonia Kennedy was seeing how the community was contributing to our project by helping us and showing us their gratitude. We as leaders were impressed with our fellow glimpsers by their dedication and commitment to their projects and the community of Colonia Kennedy. We saw our shy peers blossom as they integrated themselves within people of Colonia Kennedy. We connected with community members at the end of our stay at Colonia Kennedy through the music and dancing of the Dominican Republic. While we were there one of the most inspiring people that we met there was Ernestina, president of the administrative council of Colonia Kennedy, we found her inspiring because she was really involved in the progress that we were making and made sure that we stayed true to what the community needed and wanted. During our experience of being leaders of the day, we found that the coordination of projects were hectic, but after we were moving along throughout the day we found it much easier to make sure that each group had what they needed and was going at a decent pace. It was really great how our glimpsers and the members of Colonia Kennedy were able to move forward to make a positive change. As leaders of the day we were pretty proud of how we approached difficult situations in an effective way while also trying to support our glimpsers by providing them with the support they needed.
After we came back from Colonia Kennedy, we went to our last English class! We were able to show our fellow peers the progress that our students had made through a mini talent show starring our students. Although, saying goodbye was very difficult we are proud to know that we were able to be a part of their lives and of the positive impact we have had in them. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to meet amazing young individuals and being able to see them grow as people and as students. This was probably one of the hardest things we did today, but we are thankful for the bittersweet experience of saying goodbye to our amazing students! We as leaders learned how to keep a calm and positive attitude despite the obstacles we encountered, and sometimes it takes a little bit of coming out of your shell to gain new perspectives.
Thank you for taking the time to catch up on us,
Lisette and Sofia
Thank you for keeping us up to date, and congratulations on rising to some challenges.
I’m, of course, curious about what those challenges were. Hopefully nothing too rotten!
Also, I’m not sure what Colonia Kennedy is. Is it the name of a neighborhood? So much to learn!!
P.S. I love and miss you, Maya Elizabeth! I hope you’re having a great trip.
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxo Mom
Dad/Mom: Sofia, we are so proud of you and all the glimpsers, the experience and impact on you and community is so great to hear .. we love you and miss you so much!
Frida: Hello Sofi! I miss you and I can’t wait to see you on the 18th. AARON misses you A LOT and can’t wait to see you. My throat has been hurting a lot and I think I’m getting the cold but I’m feeling kinda better. Oh, BTW, en la foto traes mi PLAYERA!! Y ESTAS PINTANDO!!! Ok, bye for now, I miss you! Talk to you Saturday!
Catalina: Hola Sofia! ¿te gusta estar ahi?
Robertito: Sofia extraño que no estes aqui, pero es muy bueno que estes ayudando a otras personas, y sea una bonita experiencia que te sirva en el futuro, y ojala podamos hablar pronto para que me cuetes tu experiencia. P.D. No se usar esta computadora y no puse acentos.
Mario Alberto: Hola Sofia una vez mas te escribo esperando que te la estes pasando increible,luego nos cuentas todo ,sabes que te quiero y estimo mucho regresate con cuidado y hablamos luego por telefono xoxoxo.
Jose Eduardo: hola Sofi espero que te estes divirtiendo y aprendiendo mucho en tu paseo, espero vernos pronto ,, repoio ;]
Hi Mya.. From Jenn and Dad…!!
You guys are non stop and awesome!!! Colonia Kennedy sounds like it was a really cool experience..2 murals.. fixing up the community center..connecting heart to heart with the local people and much more…Wow.
Congratulation Glimpsers..!! Your starting to sounds like the futures peace leaders!!!
We miss you Mya and Love you soon much.. Dad 🙂
xoxoxoxoxoxo See you soon..!!!!!
Hi Gracie!
Was so wonderful hearing from you. Aggie’s tail was wagging like crazy hearing your voice. The trip sounds incredible. I can’t believe all that you guys have accomplished in such a short time. We are so excited to see you and hear about every detail.
Love you to pieces.
XO, Mom
Thank you all Global Glimpsers for learning, serving, and sharing your experiences. Through your actions, we all become better global citizens. Trevor: We are Looking forward to seeing you soon! ?