Stepping out of your comfort zone is vital in order to provide leadership. Leaders tend to achieve the unachievable and are always seeking to improve concerning situations. The Dominican Republic is a third world country that struggles to maintain a stable and satisfying economy. This was evidently seen through the “Global Business Day” in which we had the wonderful pleasure to be leaders of the day. As leaders of the day we had the immense task of maneuvering the entire delegation as one organized group. We had to provide guidance and comfort as well as stability and positivity. “Global Business day” was mainly diving into engaging conversations and asking questions to a representative and executive of one of the biggest sugarcane companies in the world. As a group we were able to ask a vigorous amount of questions directly to the man of everything. To our surprise he could not answer all of our questions on the specific practices and general information of his plantation. There were various times when after being asked a question he immediately relied on either the Internet or his assistant for information. He also seemed nervous and defensive throughout the tour. This may have come as a result of the organization’s last experience with the previous delegation when they had a similar experience.
We then heard an inspiring and heart warming speech by Rafael; a blind former bracero (sugar cane cutter) of Haitian decent who lives and grew up in the Bateys. We were also able to visit his town called Batey 6 where we played Simon says with the Children of the town and got to see Pastor Williams’ home. Prior to this excursion, our delegation was given a global business seminar in which were shown very biased and extremely heart wrenching photos of communities of the Bateys. These photos portrayed the people as sad, hopeless, and depressed. This was not the case. This community was very happy and seemed to be enjoying themselves while blasting tasteful Bachata music, competing against each other in a creative game foreign to the rest of us that involved bicycle tires, and making jokes about us Americans who came to visit their towns. In fact, the daughter of Pastor Williams is currently studying to be a lawyer.
This made us come to the realization that a community’s happiness isn’t determined by the resources offered to them by others, but rather by the time you spend with your community. The question of the day was, ‘What role do major businesses play in developing countries like the Dominican Republic?’ Throughout the last few hours of the tour when we got to experience life as a residing member of the Batey community, we were able to see long lasting affects that these major businesses had on the rest of the community. For instance, it was evident that poverty was pretty abundant among the people who lived here. We were also told that these sugar companies who claimed to help the Batey actually had little and almost no influence on the people or the community as a whole. In conclusion, experiences like the one showed today actually makes you realize that the unsatisfactory conditions in which the world is in right now, doesn’t effect their happiness.
Great article Brianna! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
Brianna and Adriel, great job on your summary it was beautifully written!
Brianna, it seems you are having a wonderful experience meeting new people and visiting so many different areas within the community of DR. Athough we all miss you here in New York, we are so very proud of you! I can’t wait to hear all about your trip upon your return.
XOXO’s Mom
Brianna and Adriel, Well Said!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to have a “birds-eye” into the lives of our Dominican Brothers and Sisters! I was so impressed with how you Young Adults were able to discuss and reason w/the Plantation Owner all the while keeping “cooler heads”.
Brianna, you are an Amazing Young Lady that continues to Impress me everyday! Keep allowing that Beautiful light God has instilled in you to Shine!
Enjoy the remainder of this Wonderful Experience, I cannot wait to hear ALL about it when you return!
Travel Safely & We Love You,
Mrs. Nadine & Family
Very well written Brianna and Adriel! Amazing job in expressing your gained knowledge; continue enjoying the rest of your adventure! Sending tons of positive energy for an utmost remarkable experience!
Great Job Brianna. I can’t wait to hear about your trip when you come home!
Hello Brianna,
What a wonderful opportunity to have an experience like this one. I know it must be difficult to be away from home. But, staying home would have never given you the exposure and understanding how other people live in this world. Thanks for sharing. I’m proud of you. Truly yours, Roselen
Brianna,
I enjoyed reading your article. You did a great job expressing your experience. What a Blessing to have such an opportunity. Well done.
What a awesome summary! Well written and exciting. Brianna this trip was ordained by God to give you a life changing experience. Enjoy every moment!
Great Job Adriel and Brianna .
Wonderful story cousin, I’m so proud of you, I love you n miss you.