Hello family and friends! It’s August and Ali!! Today was Immigration Day. We started the day with a 50 minute field trip to a developing community named Batey Palave. We were fortunate enough to meet with the organizations Imagine and UJEDO which worked to aid local development mainly populated by Haitian immigrants or people descended from immigrants. We had a discussion with one of the foundation heads and then were given a tour of the community. There we were presented with a very delicious traditional Haitian meal and had lunch with the locals and people involved in the organization.
Walking around the community presented a lot of surprises to the group and was an emotionally heavy experience. Various sights such as the trash strewn across the streets, the people not receiving medical attention, and sick animals left a large impact on the Glimpsers. Personally, it was a sad sight to see that these people lacked the basic necessities to survive. We met with the uncle of one of the organization members who lived in the community. He told us of his struggles living there without healthcare, financial needs, and then basic parts of a home like bathrooms or enough beds to sleep in. After viewing the community we had lunch with the organization members. After lunch we played games with the youth in the organization’s lodge. We played a game called “Common Ground” in which we shared very intimate details about our lives and experiences. We were very proud of our peers, the majority of who opened up and shared details about themselves that put them in a vulnerable situation, not only in front of their peers but strangers from a foreign country. It was an eye opening experience that removed any barriers between us based off of culture, race, or even language. It allowed us to come together on a more basic and human level and see each other for the individuals that we are.
Personally, I (August) was proud of myself for opening up and conversing with people I am not close to. I tend to be a more quiet person and have trouble having conversations with people I do not know. Though it took me flying to a foreign country, I was able to open up and converse with people (in Spanish) without any restraints or restrictions. For me (Ali), I was incredibly inspired by one of the youth from UJEDO named Wilken. He shared with us his experience growing up in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic. He was born in the DR but when he was seven his parents sent him to Haiti with his grandfather in order to learn about his culture and native language, Creole. Wilken is one of the many people in Palave that have experienced struggles with dual identity. Many first generation immigrants all over the world feel pressured to identify with one identity over the other. He fought against this pressure and considers himself a Dominican and a Haitian, due to his decision he faces extreme amounts of discrimination. Wilken inspired me to accept my dual identity as a Mexican American and I can’t thank him enough for sharing his experience with us. We both chose Immigration Day to be the leaders of the days because it was a concept that was intriguing. Being the leaders came with both challenges and perks. It took a lot of personal reflection and the willingness to step up as an example in moments like the game where we had to share personal experiences. Making sure everyone was safe and together was a daunting task, but with our role call (we will, we will, rock you!), we were able to complete the task. We also had the pleasure of thanking the organization’s leaders for accepting and welcoming us into the community. After saying our goodbyes in Palave, we traveled to the Dios Dira Elementary School in order to teach our third English lesson. There we met with our Global Glimpse Youth Ambassadors, our lessons went well and we were able to plan for our fourth and final class. We finally finished the day by coming back to Conamuca and had an amazing dinner provided by our Conamuca Staff. Overall it was an incredible and inspiring day for us all. It was very different to everything else we have experienced on this trip. August and I are incredibly grateful to have been able to be today’s leaders of the day. Thank you so much for checking in and we can’t wait to see you soon! Love, August and Ali
Personal Notes:Hi mom! – August
Hola August, (Ali & Glimpsers),
Estoy tan orgulloso de todos! Que bellísimo, hacerse mas amigos con esta las experiencias!
Ojala que todos los estudiantes secundario puedan hacer la misma y visitar un otras países, y aprenden sobre otras culturas. Es muy importante por la paz en el mundo.
Buenos sueños todos!
Te caro, August
I cant even imagine the experience that all of you are going through.It is amazing and touching to read all that your group post. LOVE the Pics.I know I am personally proud that Renee gets this opportunity to do this.Cant wait to hear all the experiences face to face.
Josep is doing good and so is Megan and Ryan.We all miss you ,
Love mom
Paola,
I’m glad to see your having a good time. We love you!
Thank you Glimpsers for all the updates and pictures!
Elle,
Moms Baby/Eden send their love — masaya la na akakit daka kareng letratu na mag-enjoy ka! Thankful that you are part of this wonderful delegation. This is a life-changing journey…embrace the experience/adventure and continue to make an impact!
Lolo and Lola send their love, and thankful that you’re doing well. They’re so proud of you!
much love
❤️dad,mom,zara,lexi
Sandy,
Great pictures. Looks like everyone is having fun. Very proud of you.
Lots of Love
Mom and Family
Hi everyone, I am glad that you all are learning and having fun at the same time.
Prash, we love you lot..and of course miss you. Can’t wait to see you, till then take care and goodnight !!
Hugs and love from mom, dad, Shawn & jiji❤
Hello Rodrigo
Glad to see you all having a good time, heard you called today and sadly I missed your calls. Joan told me you two talked for a few, glad to see. I miss you and love you. Hopefully you will have another chance to call back. Cant wait to hear all the stories and experiences. Take care and love you OXOXOXOXO
Hello, Brayan!
Miss you much and the Glimpsers!
Hello GG TEAM!,
It looks to be an eye opening experience for you all. Thank you for the daily updates into your trip. I am so proud of each and every one of you. This will be an adventure that you will never forget.
Brittany, I love you and miss you. I hope that your taking some time to write down each day what you are seeing and feeling. It will be very exciting to relive each day with the family when you get home.
xoxoxo Mom.
Hi Brayan! It’s Emma here:) I miss our Leon bus rides sooo much and I am so jealous of all the Glimpsers that are with you right now! Sending big love to you from here in California!
Love, Emma Cheatham
Henrietta Fonua. Hope you are having a great time! WE are all thinking about you. Don’t think about home too much…you will be here in a few days….
Love,
Dad.
Hi Henrietta
I hope I’m doing this right. I don’t see you in any pictures. We miss you a lot. I seen ur email so that’s why I kinda did this . I hope u are safe and having fun . We really miss you . Have a good night I love you bye
Amado Cristian, Los Dias pasan y ya vas a Regresar,aprovecha el tiempo y lo que puedas aprender, disfruta de tus nuevos amigos. Goza, y que DIOS te bendiga lo mismo que a todo el grupo. Te amo, te amo. Abuelita.
David so glad your on this wonderful adventure, hope you hr having a great time! We love you. tim and Annie