Today’s blog was written by our Líderes del Día: Kimberly and Michelle
¡Hola! We are Michelle and Kimberly and today we were leaders of the day. Today’s main focus was on immigration, specifically Haitian immigration in the Dominican Republic. In the morning we welcomed two Venezuelan immigrants named Michelle and Jomaira who came to teach our group of Glimpsers how to make bracelets that saved their lives. Their family was faced with medical bills they couldn’t afford and sold handmade bracelets to raise money for a family member’s lung transplant. Eventually, they sold enough to cover the costs of the transplant! That family member now lives healthily thanks to those bracelets. Today, they showed us one of the simpler kinds of bracelets that were sold. They were the colors of the Venezuelan flag, yellow, blue, and red. Where yellow symbolizes wealth, blue is the ocean, and red is all the blood spilled of the people, referencing to the violence in Venezuela. The two ladies shared their own stories of their migration to the Dominican Republic in the hopes of escaping the violence and in search of a better future. The ladies were extremely kind and patient with us as they taught us how to make the sentimental bracelets. It was a ton of fun and the whole group continues to wear them now!
The next activity we did was visit the Colonia Kennedy, a Haitian/Dominican community. There are a lot of discontent between both communities because of the history between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In the past Haitians have had control over the Dominican Republic. The DR fought for independence twice and currently there is a lot of resentment between the two. Haitian immigrants travel to the DR in search of new job opportunities, since there cease to be any in Haiti. Though most of Constanza’s agricultural labor is driven by Haitians, the Haitians are discriminated against and ‘hidden’ within the Dominican community. Many of the families we met today travel to the DR to raise money for their families in Haiti. Many mothers and fathers live hundreds of miles from their children, rarely see them, and put themselves through hours and hours of hard work to support themselves and their families. The stories us Glimpsers heard today definitely made our hearts ache. The Haitian community in the DR face lots discrimination on the daily. Six days out of the week in their community they are not supplied electricity. Only on Sundays do they have electricity and that is only till 7pm at night. Meanwhile, the Dominicans who live in that community have electricity 24/7. It is things like this that the Haitians have to live with in order to continue surviving. The few hours we spent in Colonia Kennedy were extremely impactful because of how closely we can relate how immigrants in the US are treated (ie. discrimination etc.).
Kimberly’s Point of View
Today was a very impactful day. Just seeing the conditions that these people [the Haitians] live in got to me, and made me feel extremely grateful for what I have. I really enjoyed making the Venezuelan bracelets with Michelle and Jomaira. Their stories are just some of the many challenges and journeys immigrants go through. Also the meaning of the colors of their flag was very interesting and really connected to the problems going on in their country till this day. When we went to visit the Haitian/Dominican community my group leader was called Ostave and he was very kind and was open to answer any questions we had. His honest feedback was very helpful for us Glimpsers and leaders to get an idea of other things we can do to improve their living conditions. One insane fact, and one that really made us think and reflect was that in Colonia Kennedy there are 21 little homes where families live and they all share one létrine and a shower for everyone living in that community.
Michelle’s Point of View
Today held a special place in my heart because one of our leaders is a Haitian immigrant. John our leader migrated to the Dominican Republic in 2005. Over the course of the trip, our delegation has grown to love and care for John. He is the epitome of everything good. He runs his own nonprofit company where he supplies internet access to rural communities all across the Dominican Republic. John’s story is extremely inspirational and it all starts with his migration to the DR. John has served as a key example of what hard work can become with the right mindset. He is always in a good mood and extremely positive and has really made my trip that much better. Being able to hear his personal story and all other the other Colonia Kennedy members’ stories helped to put in perspective the struggles the immigrants of the DR and US go through. I could never imagine going through the journey John did and still starting a whole nonprofit to help others on top of that. I could really see the passion as he spoke about his story and the struggles of Haitian immigrants. I knew going into this day that it would hit home for me personally because of beautiful mother. Being on this trip has exposed me to the conditions and struggles that my mom went through growing up. I’ve have really learned to appreciate my mom I know that when I get back she is getting a fat hug.
Hi Allira!
we’re finally writing (we didn’t know you’d be able to see our comments – guess I missed that memo, and mom was not pleased…)
We all miss you so much, but not us much as Sherlock and Watson, who, in particular, has become intolerable in your absence.
Your trip so far must be eye-opening for you – it has been for me as I follow along with these blogs. Having this exposure really puts into perspective most of what we here consider problems. Please take many, many pictures!
Dad
Hi everyone, my name is Camilo and I was a Program Coordinator in Constanza in 2016. I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where I lived until 2013. I migrated because of the huge crisis you had the chance to learn about today. When I first met Ostave my approach to the Immigration Day was 100% focused on the Haiti/DR issue, my Haitian friends had taught me so much about their struggle and their hard-working spirit. However, I never thought of Venezuelans being part of the Immigration Day, it breaks my heart when I see what we’ve gone through in the last years and I’m really proud that at least we have the chance to share our story with you glimpsers. Haiti, Venezuela and so many other countries around the world are a source of inspiration for those who can change the world one day. Big Love to all the glimpsers, to John and Carissa, to Ostave and all the families in Colonia Kennedy, to my people in Cañada Las Palmas, to Alyssa, Carina… and Dilenia!!! (boy do I miss her strawberry juice)
Allira,
Dad just told me that you can read the posts! We had no idea! We thought all communication was one way! 🙁 I miss you so much! But I LOVE that all of you are getting this experience and that DR is getting you all too. This is what changes the world. So, I can miss you for that higher purpose and at least now I know I can write you here everyday and you can see it. 🙂 I’m so excited you get to share your love of craft (bracelets), painting (the mural) and children on this program. Please ask what we can do to directly contribute to alleviating the poverty in this area or for the projects to which you are assigned. I would like to help and ask if others want to help too.
We are fine but I miss all your special touches… smoothies, your drawing on the board for Quinn’s Promotion day and Father’s Day, listening to you playing Jeopardy w/Dad, “Just Dance” with you for exercise, being in the garden with you to see the first fruit! Don’t worry, even the fruit is waiting for you to return. And, yes, the cats will be ecstatic when you return but don’t worry – they don’t know you are gone – they will just be happy when you are back. That’s how pets are. Really, don’t worry. We are all petting them for you.
So fun to see you in the photos! When it is your turn to blog, tell us about the mosquitoes! Is everyone staying relatively bite-free? And is there a basic daily routine or is it different every day? Is there air conditioning in your hotel? If you took a survey, what would be the item NOT to bring on the trip and what would be the BEST item to bring on the trip? Maybe you can help out future Glimpsers to Constanza!
Love you so much and I promise my next note won’t be so long but I had to catch up!
xoxox.
Mom
Neha jaldi bapas aja. Sare tenu both yaad kar re aa. ? ❤️
Hi Neha
Making those meaningful bracelets must be a great fun. Immigration has its own challenges. I am glad you were able to listen to all the great stories. Hope your trip is turning a very educational and informative about different aspects of life. Love to read what kids are writing daily on this blog.
Miss you immensely , Take care
Best
My Dearest Michelle,
Well U did it.
I just broke down like a baby needing his pacifier to stop crying. Seriously, I had to walk away from my keyboard and gather myself for one can’t type when one’s eye are watering like a hose left running by itself in the driveway…..
Your thoughts about Mom are wise beyond your years. She is a tough cookie because she had a tough life as a child in Thailand. When U return, please try to carefully pick her brain even more to understand why she is the way she is! Her stories of her childhood are quite amazing, and that is why she is a tough cookie, and can’t always express the so-called American way of showing love, which is usually BS and fake anyway!!!!
.
Trust me, I know from my own intense experiences in the US Navy that only the strong survive! Being greatly challenged and having your life change in an instance without any personal control of your situation makes us stronger to deal with life’s so called daily drama!!!!…(Which can be defined as BS too)
I Love U Dearly
U R Amazing
I am so proud to call U my daughter!!!!
Love U Always & Forever!!!
Your Fadder!!!!!
My Dearest Michelle,
Well I hope U R happy but U did it…..
U have me crying like a baby needing its pacifier to stop crying. Seriously, I had to walk away and gather myself for it is very hard to type when one’s eyes are watering like a hose left to run down the driveway.
Your thoughts about Mom are wise beyond your years. When U get back, please carefully pick her brain more to understand why is such a tough cookie. She had it tough when she was a child and she isn’t so good about showing love in the so-called American way, which is usually BS and fake anyway…..
Also, to be physically and mentally challenged like I was during my US Navy time make us stronger to deal with the so-called daily drama of life.
U R Amazing!
I am so proud that you are my Daughter!!!
I Love U Always & Forever
Love Your Fadder!!!
Hi carmen, it’s so amazing to see you smiling and having fun. I miss you so much. Take care.
What an awesome story and how persistence and commitment to a project and goal pays off. Nolan I see that you have a couple of wristbands yourself!!! Awesome.
Nolan you made my Fathers Day yesterday when you left me your voicemail. Yes, you have the right phone number!!!! LOL. I got your card too and what you wrote really touched me.
I hope you really enjoying your experiences and appreciating all that you are doing and that you found time to write in your journal.
You are in the homestretch now and I cant wait to give you a great big hug when you return on Saturday. Love you more…. DAD
Allira,
Since I missed all your phone calls, I am wondering is there a way that we can know the date and time you will try to call?
Can hardly wait for the next blog!
xo,
Mom
Hi there Stacy.
I love seeing you with your other friends learning to make the bracelets. I looking at all of the pictures from your group. I mailed a letter to New York today. It will be there for you.
I love you and miss you.
Brian,
It looks like you and your fellow Glimpsers are having a great trip. So many wonderful, educational and interesting experiences. Today sounds like it was emotional and we are wondering if you will still be wearing your bracelet when you get home. We can’t wait to hear all of your stories when we see you at the ranch.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Aunt Julie, Uncle Todd and Ryan