Today was definitely a day that was more difficult than the rest. It was immigration day and we got to hear personal accounts of immigrants moving to the Dominican Republic. We started off our morning at 7:30, with oatmeal, crackers, and bananas. After breakfast we had a mental warm up to learn about the history and background of Venezuelan and Haitian immigrants and their motivation for moving to the Dominican Republic. Our first visitors at the Hotel was Maryangel and her family. We learned that she had moved from Venezuela to the Dominican Republic 10 months ago to escape the government of their president and the constant violence in the country. We wanted to know about the discrimination that her and other Venezuelan immigrants faced. While she faced little to none many other immigrants leaving their country are moving to the Dominican Republic and are angering the local community. The citizens believe that the Venezuelan immigrants are taking their jobs and stripping opportunities that they believe should be theirs in the first place. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? After speaking with Maryangel she was kind enough to bring a little bit of her culture and share it with us. We got to make bracelets in the colors red, yellow, and blue. Every time they sell a bracelet money goes towards patients with lung diseases.
After an amazing lunch of sancocho(soup with rice) we watched a video about the plight of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic. It was a portrayal of a man who had to sacrifice himself for his family. The situation in Haiti makes it so that people have to migrate in order to live even paycheck to paycheck. The health and sanitation in developing countries are so poor that the man lived a short life and died of cholera after drinking contaminated water. And this was just one of the difficulties that immigrants have to go through everyday. After that, we transported to Colonial Kennedy(thanks to Sandy😊). There, groups of four glimpsers were guests in one of the Haitian homes. We got to ask these immigrants about their journey and life in the Dominican Republic. The conversations we had were completely eye opening and difficult to listen to. We learned that they face discrimination everyday from other Dominicans which can be verbal or physical. Although many of these adults come here to make a living and provide for their families, they leave everything behind. Most of these families aren’t able to see their children because they are still in Haiti, and that is probably the hardest part. After meeting with the families individually we got to talk to two Haitian immigrants named Junior and Ostav as a group. Despite all that they face, the Haitian immigrants are extremely positive and grateful to the government for letting migrate to make a living. Even though they are not paid very well they still appreciate living here rather than the horrible conditions in Haiti.
After meeting with the families we came back to the hotel and had free time and got to visit the local bakery and supermarket for the first time. It was nice to have a small break after the long days of hard work. Next, we got in our self-reflection groups and discussed what we learned about the Haitians we spoke to earlier. Then, we had dinner and we were served with pasta, salad, and bread. After dinner, we ended off with a seminar and our nightly meeting. During the meeting, we talked about the overall message and compared the lives of immigrants in the DR and immigrants in the U.S. We discussed how all the discriminations is worse here, but is still prevalent in the U.S. We ended the night with big love and our unity clap!!
P.S hey mom, dad,sarah,and junayd! Love and miss you guys!!😢
-Massuda
Hi papa, harsheen, nana, and dadigi!! Doing well and I miss you guys a lot!! Love you!
-Sonia
Greetings Global Glimpsers / Staff/ Sonia/Massuda Greetings !
Thanks for the update.
Read the whole blog and it reminded of my two weeks visit to Venezuela in 2011. After reaching there noticed people not happy wth government and price for staples sky rocketing. On flight to Caracas met elderly retired Petroleum Engineer and his wife coming form New York where there son lives. He mentioned most of the engineers were let go and plant run by Red shirt people.
We are also Immigrant in US and blessed to be accepted in this country. I am glad you all doing such good job. God bless you all.
Love you Sonia – Papa, Harsheen Nana, Dadiji, Bhuaji and Saheb, Komal and Veer.
Hi Massuda my love my sweet baby I miss u so much your grand moms both miss you and so do Junayd and Sarah the story of immigrants it was so sad and u know I am familiar to it so I know how privileged we are as important in USA I can’t wait to see u and say hi to all ur friends and leaders love you
Hey Massuda hope you’re having fun and helping to build a community there. Come home soon 🙂
Hi my love Massuda I saw you pic u look so pretty as usual I miss u so Mach and so do the rest of the family. It was very nice that u guys listen to few immigrants family I know exactly how they feel. It’s a good eye opening experience for all of you. come back soon say hi to all you friends and leaders. Miss you
Love mom
Rebekah
It’s your boy Viet-Hai dropping in from Cali! I just wanted to let you know that I miss you a lot, and I hope you’re having an amazing time right now. Also Austin has been texting me, and I know he misses you way more than I do so Ima assume he wants me to tell you that he loves you. Live it up for me while you’re away!
And Monse – I know that we don’t talk much, but I hope you’re having an amazing time as well! Don’t forget to live everyday like an adventure!
So glad you all are having such a positive experience and gaining some valuable perspectives.
Miss you tons Grace! Hope all is going better than well. 🙂
Wow, that sounds like a pretty intense day. The good news, of course, is that knowledge is power!
P.S. Hi Maya! Was the bakery delightful? 🙂
Love you lots,
Mom (Becky)
Hi Gracie and Glimpsers!
This sounds like a challenging and insightful day. I can only imagine how hard (and inspiring) it was to hear the stories.
Yesterday, Purdy took a package of rawhides off the counter and tore them open. As soon as I got home she went outside and hung her head. She knew she was in trouble. Aggie on the other hand, was elated by the 30 rawhide sticks on the ground! She was jumping in circles and delivered a few sticks to each room in the house. Lol. We couldn’t stop laughing at the differences in their personalities. Taz and Sadie are good too.
We miss you!
XO, mom, Z and R
Hey Jose! From what I can tell it looks like you’re having an awesome time ! Which makes me very happy for you 🙂 Keep up the good work and just be open and meet new people! Be safe and take care xoxo Maricela
Hi Grace & Glimpsers,
All of the knowledge and insight you have received and experienced is powerful! Thank you for your blogs. We are learning from your experiences.
I can’t wait to talk to you Grace, about everything!
Love you tons,
Grammie
Hi Monse & Everyone!
Monse mami I miss you soooo much. I know that you are having great experiences and how much it means to you to help others. Cant wait to see you, but till then keep positive. LOVE YOU!!!
Nelly
Hey Massuda! Glad you’re having a good time and making friends. Everyone at Penumbra misses you, especially Navraj lol. The two new interns are here now, one of them is cool, the other… well, you’ll see. Can’t wait to see all the pics you’ve taken when you get back and keep making the most of your experience.
Reba,
Hope you are having a blast, I do love the pictures. Have not won the Hamilton lottery yet but I’m still trying. There is chair drama but not to worry, we will get it worked out before you get home. I love you!
Víctor
Monse que puedo decirte que no sepas mi niña hermosa,, te extraño muchisimo pero ala vez estoy muy orgulloso de ti, deseo que disfrutes de cada una experiencia que tengas por allá, ya deseo que pase el tiempo para tenerte de regreso cuídate mucho,,,
I love you mamita..