Todays blog was written by our Lideres del Dia Munkhdul and Brian
Today on the 12th of June, the glimpsers’ attention was brought to the world of workers within the Dominican Republic.
After an early breakfast to start off our first event, we headed to Jonathon Batista’s greenhouse which was created in 2002 as a strategy to increase the amount of vegetables that can be produced. We met with the supervisor, Ismael “Chucho” Disla who showed us what it was like to “work like a local.” We made sure our fellow glimpsers gave it their best efforts in the greenhouse. Numerous groups were selected to helpthe locals harvest their tomatoes and bell peppers for around 2 hours. It was an amazing experience and truly heartwarming to lead our friends through this event and seeing them put their personal best under the humid climate. In such an intense climate, we made sure that everyone was well fed and hydrated throughout the entire experience. After the these hours of hard, dedicated work, everyone was able to establish an understanding for the laborious lives of the locals.
The neighboring farm fields.
Our PC John translating the introduction to the farm workers.
Two of the women farm workers wore socks and flip flops instead of shoes.
Leilani with one of the boys that works on the farm.
Gratitude circle closing at the farm.
After a delicious authentic Dominican soup for lunch we departed using a bus on the busy streets of Constanza, we arrived at our second event of the day. The destination was a vegetable packing plant that exported Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and bell peppers solely to the U.S. Once there we were greeted by Angely Duran and Greyli Valenzuela who gave us a tour of the plant. Before entering the area where they cleaned the cucumbers we had to put on hair nets, wash our hands, and disinfect our shoes. Inside we learned how many regulations there are for food going into the U.S. there are, which, while being good, also causes the waste of a lot of vegetables due to size.
At the end of the day, it really made us think of waste from the U.S. and complicating regulations.
We were not allowed to take any pictures from inside of the plant but here are a few from outside:
Danilo, our driver with the bus that we take around town!
The outside of the packing plant.
Hi Isa, Daisy graduated today. We took pics and video. She was so awesome! So glad we were able to see you in some of the pics tonight. Looks like you’re having fun and learning lots. Apa called to check up on you, he says hello! Love you a ton and a half!
Wow Neha….What a real life experience working among the locals in tomatoes and bell peppers picking in the hot , harsh and humid weather. Make sure you all are well hydrated.you are doing an out standing work out there. Lovely pictures. Keep the smiles on !!! Best
Cam, Great to see you helping out on a local farm and checking out the vegetable packing plant. The weather looks beautiful, however the blog says it was humid today? Hope you were able to get the camera to work or find a disposable camera. Love you, Mom, Dad, Sop & PIp 😉
Stacy, I’m so proud of you, I love you stacy sooo much haha
Brian, It looks like you guys are having some great experiences with some terrific new friends. I love the camo hat over your hair net. Nice touch! I can’t wait to hear all about this trip in person when you get back home. Love Dad.
I love the camo/hair net look too!!
Stacy, So enjoying reading this every day and seeing pictures. Will show grandma later. Everyone looks happy! Giving is always getting. Love you lots! Mom & Teri
Hi Neha, I hope you are doing well, I’ve been reading the blogs everyday. I miss you. Make sure you’re making the most of your time in the DR and enjoy your world away from home. I miss face timing you hahaha. Love you
Hi Stacy,
I love and miss you very much. I am so very proud of you!! I enjoyed seeing the pictures. It is good that you are doing this. Helping other people in need. It is a great thing that you are doing
Isa, so great hearing from you today!!! We miss you so much! Daisy graduated yesterday. We have tons and pics and videos for you. We love you a ton and a half!
Hey carmen?, how’s it going? Did you have fun today? I went out driving for the whole day so that was cool. You should bring home some of them vegetables you picked out?. Well I hope you’re have a great time there. See you soon
What an awesome experience for everyone. You all look cute with your hair knits!!!
Nolan – you liking your Puma’s I see. We all miss you have hope you had a great time wandering around Constanza today.
Max, I am glad to see you are eating your veggies:) .
Hi Munkhdul, we really proud of you. We are happy that you are enjoying and doing well your first trip. I am looking you guys happy. We all miss you so much. Dulguun asked when you come.
Hey Munkhdul. Keep working hard and have fun.
Munkhdul, It’s so great to see you engaged in this project. Your parents are so proud of you. I am too. I know you are learning important skills that will support you the rest of your life. When you come back from your trip, sometime in the fall, I’d love to have you come over someday for a visit and you can tell me about this project and your trip to Mongolia. Fondly, Verona
Munkhdul,
It is so great to see the pictures of you involved in this project. I know you are learning skills that will support you the rest of your life – learning how to work together cooperatively to accomplish tasks. It looks like a fantastic project. Kudos!
When you return from this project, and then your trip to visit your family in Mongolia I’d love you to come over one day and tell me about both experiences.
Fondly, Verona