Hey everyone! This is Olivia and Kimberly, the two Leaders of the Day. Our schedule was so packed today! First, we started off waking up the earliest we’ve ever had, at 6 am. After breakfast, we took a bus to a coffee greenhouse called Invernadero Los Ramírez, run by Miguel Cerafin Ortiz. We learned a bit about how the organization supports other coffee farmers and the industry as a whole, then split up into groups to get straight to work tending the growing coffee plants. With some tips from the manager and the other workers there, we helped to weed a large section of the greenhouse. We took a quick snack break in between, though, because the work was much more strenuous than we had imagined. Although it was not physically easy for many of us, it was a great experience in seeing how the locals make their living and an enlightening introduction to the agriculture industry of the Dominican Republic. The energy that we invested in this activity would make anyone proud.
In the afternoon, after lunch back at the accommodations, we headed over to Café Monte Alto, a coffee factory that works with the greenhouse we visited this morning. We took a fun tour following the process of how coffee is made, from the plants to the picking and drying process, to quality control, to the final coffee bean roasting. For part of the tour, we went into a room where the coffee was separated by quality (size, color, and weight) and had to dress up in masks and hairnets. After seeing all the steps of this elaborate process, we had the opportunity to try some coffee and buy some as well. Many of us thought that the coffee had quite a unique flavor and taste.
Right after this tour, we had to rush over to our second tutoring session at the school, Liceo María Auxiliadora. Despite a small delay, the classes ran smoothly and we all thought they were even more fun and effective than the first ones! We got to know our students quite well 🙂
Overall, this day was tiring but very fulfilling. We got to interact with locals, learn a bit about the coffee industry, and get our hands dirty with some good solid work. As leaders, we had a big responsibility in keeping everyone hydrated, but otherwise, it was a great experience being in charge of so many people for a whole day.
Thanks for keeping up with our trip! See you! 😉
Signing out,
Olivia and Kimberly
PS. Hi Mom! I’m having fun, miss you! – Olivia
PPS: Ama estoy bien aqui y le voy a hablar cuando tenga tiempo- Kimberly
Thank you, Kimberly and Olivia, for today’s update! Wow, what an experience to see the entire coffee process!
Lizette, I hope you thought of us when it was time to buy some coffee 😋 ☕ JK
Also, good to hear that teaching has become fun!!
Lizette
FYI your room is empty/bare. Unfortunately, it will not be ready until after you return.
Painting hopefully this week/weekend. The floor will likely not be done until after you return.
Unless you want to switch rooms? The floor is done in the other room.
💜
Is there a phone number that we can reach you in case of an emergency?
Hi Carlos,
In case of an emergency, please call the Global Glimpse emergency number: (510) 550-2899. For non-emergency cases, feel free to reach out via comments on the blogs as you’ve been doing!
Best,
Jonathan
Seeing the town and people from the perspective of their work sounds like a very valuable way to learn. Great job maneuvering through the activities. Coffee, yum! Glad to hear about your successful classes with your students. Thank you for the update and pictures.
👋Heyy kimberlyy how are you its so much fun when you’r not here, i kinda miss you a little bit because i allways bother you and i only have brandon to bother boring huh😑 but can’t wait when you come so that i can bother you haha!!😝😝
Its me ashley by the way….bye
Hey kimbo,
can you bring coffe☕ so that we can try it plzz😭
Im out byee have fun while you can but when you come hehe i will bother youuu byeeee😝
An busy day packed with educational activities. Now you have been sort of living like a local and working like a local. Thanks for the update and big pictures. Brenda, we love you.
Olivia, we miss you home but glad you are having fun there. We follow the blogs everyday to follow you through all your experiences, and happy when we find you in the pictures 🙂