Hola Family and Friends! This is Abby and Zoe writing from the beautiful (and rainy) city of Constanza.
We started our day at 7AM blasting some TLC and Queen to wake up our fellow Glimpsers. Breakfast was a colorful plate of papaya, pineapple, eggs, bread, plantains, ham, and lemonade. Yum! Although some of our friends had to take a trip to the clinic today for a health check-up, we were reunited by lunch time to continue our day! After reminding everyone to leave cameras behind (out of respect for the workers) and strap on their hard-soled shoes, we headed to the dump for our first activity of the day.
This being the ninth day of our adventure, many of us were very tired so we used the bus ride to the site as a quiet time to rest before getting to work. After being dropped off at the top of the hill, the smoke and trash below were already visible. We trekked down the hill and got started by meeting some of the workers. We split up into small groups of three Glimpsers and one dump worker in each and then had the opportunity to inquire about their job, life stories, and experience living in Constanza. We learned that dump workers are not paid by the government but instead make a living off of how much trash they can collect and resell to local buyers. We also learned that it is important for them to collect all the trash they are able to before it gets added to the pile to be burned. Due to the fact that their salaries fluctuate based on how valuable the items collected are, most of them work six days a week from 7AM to 5PM. After hearing the workers’ stories, we had a kite flying contest with some snacks as a fun way to close our activity. Hearing the worker’s perspectives allowed us to reflect on how impactful waste is on our environment in addition to the need for government systems that aid those living in poverty. This experience caused us to feel very grateful for what we have and that although these problems are difficult to solve, we can help get the ball rolling by sharing our experiences with others when we return home.
When we got back on the bus, we were instructed to be silent and take the time to reflect on what we had just experienced. After arriving back at the hotel, we gathered for a self-reflection meeting. We tried to focus on answering the question of what is needed to break the cycle of poverty. We all agreed that education plays a major part in setting children up for success with the help of government intervention. Another thing we reflected on was that children often resort to going through the dump themselves in order to put food on the table at the end of the day or purchase basic necessities like clothing, rather than attending school. A solution our Glimpsers came up with was suggesting that schools provide meals to give families an incentive to send their children to school so they can both receive an education, and no longer need to resort to working at the dump.
Our group worked up an appetite and was ready for lunch by 12. We had pork chops, rice, soup, bread, and beans, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. After lunch we jumped right into our next activity by heading over to CECAINI School and CONANI. We arrived and were immediately welcomed by the principal, Wanda Quezada. CECAINI’s mission is to provide education and support to children whose families are living on only a few dollars each day. Quezada was an inspiring speaker who was extremely passionate about keeping kids in school and bettering their lives. One example of this passion in action is how she partners with the local Christian church to provide two meals a day to each of the 210 students. While at the school, we engaged with the children through face painting, basketball, and mural painting. It brought us an immense amount of joy to see the children leave behind any outside worries and just have some fun.
Our tight schedule lead us directly to our next activity… our third class of English Tutoring. It was fulfilling to further our connections with the students through education and see them improve tremendously after only three classes thus far. Although we usually walk back to the hotel from school, because there was rain and thunder, we decided to take the bus back.
After a jam-packed day of learning, teaching, and reflection, dinner could not have come at a better time for us Glimpsers. Dinner consisted of oatmeal, soup, rice, bread, and ginger tea to warm us up as the rain continued to pour down. The meal was delicious and led us right into our nightly meeting where we reviewed our day, read comments from previous blog posts, and gave some group shoutouts. Our long day left us exhausted, but eager to see what tomorrow has in store!
Goodnight everyone,
Zoe and Abby
Hi Abby,
I could hear your voice in my mind as I read this blog. Miss you lots 🤗😘. I can’t wait to see your photos and hear more about these amazing experiences.
💗 mom
Hi Anmol and Garima! It’s your GG Ambassadors from school Adrian and Valeria! We just read all of the posts and it’s making us sad and nostalgic about our own trip. It feels good to be checking up on our students though and seeing what great work your delegation is doing. Have fun and be safe! P.S. @ Mr. Chan take care of our girls and don’t pull a muscle!
Haha just kidding we just saw that Mr. Chan isn’t on that trip disregard the P.S. part ahahahhaahhaah
-Adrian and Val
Alexa
Hi sweetheart, how are you doing? Are they taking care of you? Are they feeding you well? Are you having fun? Just making sure you have a wonderful experience just like Lorenzo did. Yesterday they had pizza for their last dinner and spent the rest of their time bonding and writing letters. It was a sad last blog for me because, you can tell they became family. They are happy.
Lorenzo will be leaving Jarabocoa today and arriving tomorrow morning; Friday at 1:18 am. We missed him so much and can’t wait to see him.
Yesterday, sounded like a long work day. So, hope you have another fun adventure day today, because you deserve it. We miss you too! Next week I will be counting down the days until you come home. But, until then have fun.
Tina, Larry, Isabella, Jack, Princess and soon Lorenzo. 😘🤗
Hey Zoe! I miss you so much girlie! Hope you’re having a great time on your trip and I can’t wait until you get back. Lots of love from home❤️
Great blog ladies! I know it’s sad, but it’s important to see these major differences in work, school and life that people experience in impoverished areas. Trust that you are making a difference with your presence and efforts and then bring that home and continue the work here! Be the change in small or big ways, but don’t forget. Zoe, let’s discuss what we can do as a family to help those less fortunate in our own community. Looking forward to brainstorming 🙂. We hope that you’re feeling better, sorry you were under the weather, but it was good to hear your voice. Love you! -Mom Dad
Wow! The learning opportunities you all are experiencing are amazing. Thank you for your thoughtful reflections and sharing of possible solutions to these systemic issues that create inequities.
Stay dry and warm or maybe some great puddle splashing and leaf races are in order (that one is for you Leilani Sophia ❤️). 🙂
Love you!
Kalyne
Hey Zoe!
It sounds like you’re having an awesome time in the DR! Soak in all the culture and fun experiences! It’s so cool to see all the great things you’re doing 🙂 I love and miss you tons!!
Love,
Your partner in crime
Hey Moose,
How’s it going? I thought I’d fill you in. The show has been great and Memo won a class. Denize says he’s been great, and feel free to stay as long as you want. Ava is lonely but she doesn’t miss you only the joy of besting you. Chueco still runs around winking… Rachel won all of her classes and is reeling in those purples. I mean she has purple hair. Wess grows more strange by each day and looks more hungry every morning. I fear that he may attack soon. Ucello has been the same Ruben says he’s very sluggish. Also Juan says Hola.
Hi Briyana,
We miss you dearly! Hope you are having fun, gaining new knowledge and experience! Stay safe and dry and cool.
Luv you. -mom,dad, rylin, levi🥰
Dear Glimpsers,
Thanks for sharing your amazing experiences and insightful observations. It is such a pleasure reading your words, visualizing your journey and connecting with your thoughts each evening. Certainly your water project will be of monumental benefit as are the lessons, experiences and connections shared.
Leilani and Glimpsers you are amazing. You are creating our best world that we know is possible. We are so proud of you and love you with all of our hearts!
Love,
Dominic “Buzz” Renda, (Leilani’s Pop)
Hi Cynthia and Tara,
What a spectacular trip you are having, so many new experiences in such a different place. You must be developing a whole new perspective on your lives. I hope you’re having fun and learning a lot. Even with Emma home, the house is so quite without you two. We miss you very much (especially Taffy and your birds). Keep you your good work. It’s very important! I hope you’re feeling better. Love, Dad
Hi Abby,
I can tell your having a great time. Miss you so much can’t wait to see you!
Abby!!! I miss you so much but I know that you are doing amazing work and inspiring others wherever you go. I can not wait to hear all about it and to resume our 80’s jam sessions. Love you lots and wish you a safe and happy rest of trip! 💗💗💗
Hi Abby,
We are so proud of you and the efforts of you and your fellow ‘Glimpsers’ toward improvements in the DR.
Can’t wait until we see you here in Rhode Island and hear firsthand about all of your experiences.
Miss you, love you, can’t wait to hug you,
Grammy & Papa
XOXOXO
Hey Abby! Hope things have been a blast for you so far in the Dominican Republic. The crew in RI can’t wait to see you when you come back to the states. I’ve got a beach chair and a Del’s with your name on it for when you get here!
Love and miss you,
Cousin Cade
Abby!! I miss you so freaking much and keep almost texting you and then remembering that you don’t have your phone. I hope that you are having an incredible time and I know that you will be doing amazing things and inspiring others wherever you go. I can’t wait to see you and get back to our 80’s jam sessions!! Love you lots and wish you a safe and happy rest of your trip 💗💗
Hola Abby, Te extranamos muchisimo y no puedo esperar para que compartas con nosotros esa linda experiencia que estas teniendo en Republica Dominicana.
Estamos muy orgullosos de ti. Manten ese lindo espiritu de dedicacion y ayuda hacia los demas . Dios te bendiga cada dia de tu vida.
Te quiero muchisimo.
Dad
p.s .. padre espiritu santo, Amen