Bienvenidos family and friends! It’s las lideras del dia, Jihan and Melika. Today is Day 11: Working Like A Local Day, and we began our day with a 6:00am wakeup call… how lovely! All jokes aside, we had an amazing day. We left our temporary home in San Cristobal at 7:00am sharp, courtesy of Giovanni, our amazing bus driver. Around 8:30am, we arrived at MANA, a rural community that is home to many farmers, who raise a variety of vegetables and fruits such as plantains, mangoes, and yucca. We interviewed a few of their workers to gain insight on a day in the life of an average conuco farmer. The men spend a majority of the day at the farm, working long hours while the women provide meals for them to look forward to. Once the food is harvested, they sell it at a market in order to make profit. Due to the community they live in, it is very hard to get transportation to where they need to be; this includes the markets as well as schools. It’s common that the children in MANA have an education that stops at the high school level, because universities are usually too far and expensive. It’s amazing how much pride they have in their work, despite the many challenges they face.
(Melika) After we got a chance to speak to the farmers, we split into two groups and took a very muddy trek (literally over a river and through some woods) to the lush, green area where MANA plants yucca. There, we worked like a local, and pulled the weeds that invade MANA’s harvest. Jatnna entertained her group by singing Rihanna’s hit “Work” to encourage us to work even harder than we already were, of course in her signature “British” accent. One thing we learned for sure: Cristian goes HARD for pulling weeds.
As for my group, (Jihan’s group), we enjoyed Anthony and Brianna’s beautiful Spanish singing as we pulled weeds. Ants ended up paying a visit to us, greeting us in painful bites. In the end we all had a great time; within our group, we split up and raced to see who could make the biggest pile of pulled weeds (and my side obviously won with our secret weapon: Anthony). We also had the chance to see some baby goats, which made everyone happy through a sweaty and tiring hour.
We left MANA at 12:00pm and arrived back home to CONAMUCA about an hour later, where, as always, we were greeted with a delicious lunch. White rice, chicken with cream sauce, sweet plantains, and a mixed salad. Delicious! Soon after, it was time for our three committees to present our ideas for our Community Action Project to Cuevas de Pomier, the organization we will be working with to improve the caves. All three committees successfully conveyed our ideas to them, and soon our ideas will become tangible improvements to the ancient taíno caves that are so important to Dominican culture and history. Great job to everyone, especially our Spanish speakers who did a great job translating for us.
At 4:00pm, we had free time for two hours. Personally, I (Jihan), and some of the other glimpsers took a nap while the rest of the group headed to the corner store. At 6:00pm we talked about our day with our summer reflection groups and an hour later we had a delicious dinner served by CONAMUCA. Our nightly meeting followed at 8:00pm, which leads us here, two girls writing the daily blog during our last hour of free time. We can’t wait to hear all of your comments; we do actually have them read to us which eases everyone with that little piece of home.
With that being said, Buenas Noches and muchos besos from your loved ones here at Global Glimpse.
(Jihan) P.S. Mom please make sure all of the Big Brother episodes I’ve missed are recorded please! #EightPack. I love you guys- even you Jeriah. Thomas, I can’t wait to see you soon. Diana and Clint, Isabella is doing fine and is providing us with great music.
(Melika) I hope you foolish people are doing okay out there in the States without me. Sam (and even you too Yacob), you too are ridiculous fools and I miss you. Remember to feed my beloved Gerald Mohammed. I love you Mom, I’ll see you guys soon. I’m having so much fun, I’ve made like 30 new friends, and I’ve gotten exactly zero mosquito bites
I hope you Jihan come back soon. I love you so much! P.S. Are you thinking about Big Brother now?
Yay a blog from Jihan (and Melika )! Now you have experience pulling weeds, something you can bring back home & contribute here ? Funny I was watching Big Brother After Dark when I decided to check the Blog! I read it out loud to your brother and sister, trying to hold back tears. Then of course laughs occurred as I was reading, especially about #eightpack and the nap! Jeriah and Sonia miss you a lot, every day they ask when you’re coming home. I’m like really? I can understand Sonia, but your brother? Well you know how he is, haha. I’m so happy you all are having these wonderful experiences. I hope your brother can do this in a few years when he’s a junior! Glad to hear Melika has been bite-free…what about you Jihan?? Enjoy your last week there! Can’t wait for the next read! Love & miss you! Xo, mom.
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Melika, sounds like fun Mel. Keep up the good work because I have plenty of weeds for you to pull when you come back..Uncle Vinny
Hey Melly!!! I had no doubt that you would be having a wonderful time!!! So happy that your are having an experience of a life time. I will definitely tell Yacob you thought of him. Continue have a blast…can’t wait to read more of your experiences. And we miss you too!!!! XOXO
OMG FRIENDS I MISS YOU SO MUCH!! I’m heading home today, were in Atlanta right now? And I can’t wait to all get together and share our beautiful stories, I know I have SO many and you’ll have a ton?? I LOVE YOU GUYS, have fun!!
-Sierra ?
I’m glad you all are having a great time! I can’t wait to hear about your trip in person.
To Rosamaria,
We miss you and “we like you a lot”. Brisa says you are her best sister and brother is waiting [im]patiently to see the secret life of pets lol. We have exciting news for you, mom and dad are going to Mexico, Their plane leaves @ 2:10am on Sunday and they’ll be in Mexico by 8 am. You can imagine how excited they are to go back to Mexico after so long. They couldn’t wait any longer! Don’t worry they’ll be back the day after you come home. We miss you so much Ruby!
Love you mucho mucho mucho,
Brisa, Emmanuel, Cheka, Mom and Dad
Hey Zelie! My first time commenting here (sorry!). I’m not used to being the one at home while you’re out in the world (Is Debbie always like this when I’m gone?). I’m really glad you’re getting to experience this on your own :). I can’t wait to hear your stories once you get back. But here are some updates: 1. That new chance song (I saw justin’s comment ?) is dope. You’ll love it. 2. There’s this new thing called Pokemon Go, you left right when it came out. But it’s absolutely blown up back home. Like, you just see random people walking around playing it everywhere. It’s the biggest obsession right now. And 3. As a break from all the Kevin Durant warriors news. The warriors drafted this rookie named Patrick McCaw in the 2nd round, who has been balling out in summer league (He scored 28 points the other day!). Sorry non-warriors fans, but the warriors could actually be better. Anyways, those are the random updates from home. Miss you! See you soon ?
P.S. Do you get to play baseball with the people there at all? I know it’s really big in certain parts of the Dominican Republic, so I was just wondering. Love you! 🙂
Max
We are so happy we saw your picture and we read all the comments of each day you all sound great and I am happy your learning so much but more inportant building ever lasting relationships you will treasure. The food sounds awesome and you look good. We love you and miss you ! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip
Love Mom
MAX
We miss you it wasn’t the same for Jens birthday we all talk about we miss your music lol and Joseph got into the program at school to work on technology he is so happy you helped him and inspired him. He says maybe when he gets to high school he too can take the trip your on. It’s been wonderful reading the blog about your day it sounds like you all are doing well and learning so much. Love you and miss you
mom
Am so happy to know that your project is related to the caves. I enjoy caves, they give such a calm and cool effect. Do your best on the project so all will realize the value of such a treasure. Can’t watch to see your work in action.
Good you know the trick in making work seem lighter- music!
Malika, I glad you are enjoying this experience . You’re a true leader.
Looks like you had a lot of work today. Maybe you can come up with ideas and make it a project for the future to provide logistical support for the farmers in order to help transport their produce to the markets. This isn’t exactly rocket science. There are many things that can be done to help the many communities of this world and they need not be complicated. It’s the little that you do that can make a lot of difference. Keep up the good work!
Hi Zelie! Te quiero! Hasta luego!
Hey Lika!
Sorry I just found this and I have no idea when you posted this so I hope I’m not too late or anything. I hope you’re having fun and learning new things. Based on your post you’re still being a hilarious angel so that’s nice. Anyway I miss you so much and stay thick!