Good evening SC1B family and friends!
Once again, this is your GG leader Luz bringing you tonight’s blog. I had the opportunity to be the last ELDD model before students get to take over!
Our day started with a 7am wakeup call and 8am breakfast at the comedor followed by our aid and development seminar. The highlight? A heated and passionate debate about the pros and cons of global aid. The star of the show? None other than the wonderful Sophia who incited us with her heartfelt pro-aid opening statement. Unfortunately, the debate was short, but for a great reason—the women of CONAMUCA, our home for the duration of our trip, delivered a powerful presentation about the amazing work they do to help provide the female farmworkers of the DR the rights they deserve. We all left that presentation feeling inspired and empowered by their words.
For lunch, we had the opportunity to enjoy one of the most delicious meals yet; delectable eggplant meatballs, white rice, deliciously sweet fried plantain and savory white bean soup. It’s safe to say that even the non-bean eaters (ahem, Segen) were converted today!
Although it was tough to follow that amazing meal, the next group of speakers definitely managed to do that. We were treated to amazing poetry and creativity by the local organization FLAM whose purpose is to help the youth develop their voice through literacy, specifically poetry and creative writing. Glimpsers had the opportunity to create poems in Spanish with FLAM members and participate in the creative writing process. The poems, written in less than an hour, are truly amazing.
All of this led to probably the most difficult part of today, our first English class! Glimpsers walked into their rooms with lessons, markers and chalk in hand ready to teach what they know best, English! Was it a walk in the park? Most definitely not! Was it the hardest thing they’ve had to do yet? You bet! I think Glimpsers now have a new appreciation for their teachers back in the States; it’s definitely not as easy as it looks.
With defeated faces and tired eyes, we returned home to have dinner at the comedor and recapping the day with our nightly meeting. Max demonstrated his talent of drawing without looking which gained him the leader cape for tomorrow. We closed out with Big Love for all the brave English teaching that happened in the face of adversity and the engagement everyone showed to our speakers and with the young poets.
I think today we’ll all be looking to get some good sleep after such an exhausting day.
Buenas noches,
Luz
Can they share the recipe of the eggplant meatballs? I can’t imagine my Zelie getting adventurous with food but this is a truly great opportunity to expand that palette.
Each day seems to be getting more enjoyable. Keep enjoying as you’re learning.But nothing compares to sharing your talents, you will reap it’s benefits in many forms.
I hope Zelie will have an opportunity to hear mass on Sundays! This is after all part of our culture.
Zel, coach Dave says – stay in shape, practice shooting, they need you in top shape when you return. Am not worried about eating well as they seem to have that all taken cared of – in fact keep enjoying the food. Last Thursday at the CCS game they played against Carlmont, they lost by 1 point on a free throw, considering MIA were you and Kayla – 2 strong player. Aubs made 5 3-point shots and scorer kept messaging throughout the game. (Thought you’d miss home less if we keep you posted, sorry all for this off topic section).
Love you!
I was thinking the same thing about the eggplant
meatballs. Isabella you know I would be savoring all the different foods be sure to try everything. What a wonderful experience for you. Try to absorb all you can & don’t think about being tired. It would be wonderful if mass is available for anyone who wished to attend. They could see how mass is basically the same all over the world. Can’t wait to see you in August Isabella. Love you so much & blessings to all. Mom mom
Nice blog Luz, you set a great precedent for the student ELDDs. The first day of the english tutoring is always the toughest so if the students were able to “survive” day 1, it will only get easier from there. Have a blast ya’ll!
Zelie
Looks and sounds like all is well!! It also sounds like the food is good to!! I hope the teaching of english to the kids is going wel. It sounds like you are learning a lot from this trip already which is awesome! Tay says hi! I hope this many mores leakers that you will listen to and these journeys you are embarking on are eye opening! I see you played basketball! Dmatz says he’s proud of you for going on this amazing trip and that he’s happy you played basketball (typical Dmatz). Keep working hard and having fun, love you and I’ll see you soon babe! #jayz
I’m so happy to have read 3 back to back blogs after 3 days of silence! So excited to read what you guys have been up to…keep them coming please 🙂 We miss you so much Jihan! Love you, mom ❤️