So I have been trying to go every other day and sorry I missed a day but that just means that this time around you get to read about three great days of adventure!! Hope your ready. Anyways so last time I left you we were on our way to having a great time on Sunday at the beach. Well...that is exactly what it was. A nice relaxing and enjoyable time at the beach. Once again the Dominican beach did not fail us with its beauty, clear water, and white sand. We were also able to enjoy some very wonderful food ranging from grilled barbecue chicken to grilled plantans. It was all very wonderful. Although soon after the beach myself along with many others had realized that even with the applying and reapplying of sunscreen the sun had gotten us pretty good. So after 8 or 9 hours we came out with a good time, a little too much sun, and very ready to go to bed. The last part left us open to a little less than energetic Monday.
Monday was a day that seemed to climax thus far as the day of reflection. We headed back to the Batey in the morning to find that first it looked the same as we left it on Friday. At first I think there was great dissapointment and almost anger as we had thought that the people of the Batey would work on the wall over the weekend while we were gone. This was releived though as we found out that the only pipe supplying water to the community had in some way broke over the weekend leaving them unable to get any work accomplished in our absence. We did though continue getting to work doing what has become a very routine police of the grounds for garbage and then getting ready to make any more progress on the actual wall. Which was able to take some actual form as Monday the first few rows of brick were beginning to be layed. The only problem with this is that only the trained of the community could do this. Leaving our job to mixing mortar for the project. This was a job that takes maybe 3 to 4 people to accomplish but since there are 13 of us we tried to cram up to 6 or 7 of us around this pile to help mix. This left the rest of us kind of observing and reflecting. We all seemed to have a wide range of opinions and feelings but I will atleast let you in on mine.
I had at this point just felt very useless. I was looking for something to do and could find absolutely nothing. Which in ways was good because I could see that I wasn´t necessarily needed like we had thought and that the community members were very capable if not more capable than me to take care of the tasks that were to be done. On the otherside though I had came here to work and do more than just be a white man bringing in money to fund a project. So after I had gotten to this point I had started wondering if there was a point to me actually being here and would I have been just productive to just have tried to wire money to help support the project. I guess at this point I don´t still have all the answers to the questions to what had gone on in my head on monday. I do know that I was able to get over it and have a happier Tuesday which I will get to later.
After a bit of a ciesta and lunch we had one more task of the day. Arianda was giving a speech at a psuedo city meeting and we were going along to show our support and help where or showcase some of here organizations wear. The meeting itself seemed very productive minus some technical difficulties. The meeting was part of the reason blogging didn´t happen yesterday because this computer had been used and wasn´t set back up until today.
But as I had said before Tuesday has proven as a much better day for me personally. I have kind of just excepted that this project may not be one that we can all at once help along in leaps in bounds. So with that in mind I was able to try and focus on helping or experiencing the Batey in a different manner. I started out the day similar to most of Monday, but soon found myself involved in my second game of Batey Baseball. It is generally the same as regular baseball although there are only 3 bases instead of 4 and any building is in play. Anyways, I find it a great way to experience how the youth works as I can´t entirely communicate with the them with words this is one way that we can communicate through the lingo of sport.
Right now I just hope my high note of feelings can carry on and as well with the rest of the group so we can finish out the rest of this week and get on the plane feeling very good about what we have done down here. Until next time keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!! Adios!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
We can see some progress/Day in Santo Domingo
Yesterday we saw our first progress on the wall itself. We were able to spend the morning at the Batey doing some final touches on the ditch that we were digging as well as spending some more time with the kids (ninos) there. I personally spent most of the day having my hair played with as the girls are very intriqued by our americano hair. With the ditch ready but our supplies not there yet for us to continue the project until afternoon we left to eat lunch. When we returned we were finally able to start laying the foundation for the wall. I know I was really excited to see the cement, rocks, and sand start arriving so that we could start the process of actually building the wall. When we started working the sun was very hot, and I don´t mean just like kind of hot, it was scorching I don´t know if I have experienced anything quite like that in the states. But we prepared a big pile of cement on the ground of the Batey. It was a very tiring task as well as confusing as everyone was frustrated, hot, and trying to tell everyone what to do. At the end of the day though I think we all felt like we had really accomplished a lot being able to lay all of the foundation. If we didn´t think we did a lot our bodies told us this morning when we woke up as I believe all of us had aches in many different parts of our bodies.
This morning though was welcomed with breakfast and a trip to Santo Domingo. It was a very pleasant trip as we got to see into a different, more U.S. influenced part of the Dominican culture. We started out the day by looking at historic sights such as the gates to the first city and Bartholomew Columbus´ house. After these we moved on to look at shops as well as the first cathedral of the Americas. The cathedral was absolutely beautiful and breath taking to look at. After a break at the Hard Rock and then lunch at a Chineese restaurant we went to a major shopping center to try and get a feel for what that was like. The one thing I think we all noticed was that there were a lot of shoes everywhere. It was absolutely crazy.
After this U.S. and commercial influence shopping adventure we had one in a market that was filled with vendors and traditional Domincan products. It was an experience if any. Again it was obvious we were American tourists and had money to spend so all the venders wanted to bargain with us and get to buy their products. The market was closing down or else I´m sure the swarm would have been even worse. Anyways I think I´m going to retire for the evening as we have another big day at the beach tomorrow!! But I will be back Monday to tell you about that and the progress we make on the wall. Adios!!!
This morning though was welcomed with breakfast and a trip to Santo Domingo. It was a very pleasant trip as we got to see into a different, more U.S. influenced part of the Dominican culture. We started out the day by looking at historic sights such as the gates to the first city and Bartholomew Columbus´ house. After these we moved on to look at shops as well as the first cathedral of the Americas. The cathedral was absolutely beautiful and breath taking to look at. After a break at the Hard Rock and then lunch at a Chineese restaurant we went to a major shopping center to try and get a feel for what that was like. The one thing I think we all noticed was that there were a lot of shoes everywhere. It was absolutely crazy.
After this U.S. and commercial influence shopping adventure we had one in a market that was filled with vendors and traditional Domincan products. It was an experience if any. Again it was obvious we were American tourists and had money to spend so all the venders wanted to bargain with us and get to buy their products. The market was closing down or else I´m sure the swarm would have been even worse. Anyways I think I´m going to retire for the evening as we have another big day at the beach tomorrow!! But I will be back Monday to tell you about that and the progress we make on the wall. Adios!!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Almost a Week since we left!
So tomorrow marks a week since we departed Wartburg for the Dominican Republic, and things have yet to really slow down. We are still working on making progress among the communities in the Bateys surrounding the area we are staying. Yesterday with the wall building we made it through all of the digging we needed to get done and also were able to make some supports to help to support the cement foundation once we get to a point where we can pour it.
Today we did not make it back to the Batey where we are building the wall. Rather, we spent our time delivering food, clothing, toys, and medication to other Bateys. I don´t think I will ever stop being amazed at how quickly the people in the Bateys find out that we have arrived and are giving out the things we do. We also had a doctor along with us that saw as many patients as he could for any examination of illness or to get vaccinations. After we had some what of a hectic and chaotic time distrubiting items it was decided that we could use a little bit of break or ciesta from everything that had been going on. In this light we headed to Boca Chica.
The water was absolutely beautiful, completely transparent, and pleasantly warm. I really enjoyed this experience not just for the relaxation but for being able to experience another part of Dominican culture. While at the beach as obvious ¨tourists¨, we were immediatly mobbed by vendors with everything from ice cream and coconuts as well as beautiful art. It was hard to resist not spending all your money since things were beautiful and also we all know that this is the only way they can make money and quite possibly if buy from them or not decides whether they eat or not. Now that we have taken this little vacation from our vacation we look foward to getting right back into work tomorrow.
So to this point I have mainly told what we have done but not really how I have been effected by it. So here we go. I honestly don´t think that the seriousness or extent of the poverty the people are in within the Bateys has really set in or hit me. Although I know that just as I was kind of worried, the language barrier has taken a toll on me. It has been able to frustrate me to great extents because I feel helpless. On the same note I notice that either way the children still want to play or just hold my hand even if I am unable to speak with them. They just want some attention as most of them probably do not see their parents very often as their parents are off in the fields for like 12 hours a day before being able to come home. I hope to be able to give a little more insight on this as we go to let you know how I change and what more I learn. I will write later but til then Adios!!
Today we did not make it back to the Batey where we are building the wall. Rather, we spent our time delivering food, clothing, toys, and medication to other Bateys. I don´t think I will ever stop being amazed at how quickly the people in the Bateys find out that we have arrived and are giving out the things we do. We also had a doctor along with us that saw as many patients as he could for any examination of illness or to get vaccinations. After we had some what of a hectic and chaotic time distrubiting items it was decided that we could use a little bit of break or ciesta from everything that had been going on. In this light we headed to Boca Chica.
The water was absolutely beautiful, completely transparent, and pleasantly warm. I really enjoyed this experience not just for the relaxation but for being able to experience another part of Dominican culture. While at the beach as obvious ¨tourists¨, we were immediatly mobbed by vendors with everything from ice cream and coconuts as well as beautiful art. It was hard to resist not spending all your money since things were beautiful and also we all know that this is the only way they can make money and quite possibly if buy from them or not decides whether they eat or not. Now that we have taken this little vacation from our vacation we look foward to getting right back into work tomorrow.
So to this point I have mainly told what we have done but not really how I have been effected by it. So here we go. I honestly don´t think that the seriousness or extent of the poverty the people are in within the Bateys has really set in or hit me. Although I know that just as I was kind of worried, the language barrier has taken a toll on me. It has been able to frustrate me to great extents because I feel helpless. On the same note I notice that either way the children still want to play or just hold my hand even if I am unable to speak with them. They just want some attention as most of them probably do not see their parents very often as their parents are off in the fields for like 12 hours a day before being able to come home. I hope to be able to give a little more insight on this as we go to let you know how I change and what more I learn. I will write later but til then Adios!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The beginnings of my Dominican Adventure
Hey all!!
So it is Tuesday and we have just started really getting into what we will be doing for the extent of our stay here in the Dominican. Our first weekend was spent at a center owned and ran by the episcopal church (iglesia). While staying at this center we were introduced to the conditions we would be dealing with. We were educated a bit on the Bateys (poorest areas, generally linked to sugar cane fields). We also were able to see all of the progress that the episcopalian church is trying to make in the building and running of private, decently priced education. We also were able to spend some time among some of the local hangouts and experience some Dominican entertainment on the waterfront where the streets were lined with people.
We have just arrived at the home of Ariadna, the women we will be programming with to help do a small chunk of community improvement. She is the equivalent of a Middle Class person from the United States. As of now I have noticed that she demands a lot of respect from everyone, and everyone respects her for what she has been able to do for the Bateys. As far as what we will be doing to help her out is we are helping the community to construct a wall around their community center for security and privacy reasons.
Notice I said we are helping the community to build the wall. One of Arianda´s goals is not to just provide charity for those staying in the Bateys, but rather to get them motivated to do their own things to improved their community. Today our first day on the job we saw this in full force. As the class started out doing all of the work to start it was shortly that the local community hopped it to almost entirely take over all that was being done.
I can´t see what the rest of our stay will hold for us but I´m still excited to have you all along the way to learn about it with me. And I am learning a little Spanish while I am down here so I will try and maybe share some with you as I learn more. Yep yep yep! Adios!
So it is Tuesday and we have just started really getting into what we will be doing for the extent of our stay here in the Dominican. Our first weekend was spent at a center owned and ran by the episcopal church (iglesia). While staying at this center we were introduced to the conditions we would be dealing with. We were educated a bit on the Bateys (poorest areas, generally linked to sugar cane fields). We also were able to see all of the progress that the episcopalian church is trying to make in the building and running of private, decently priced education. We also were able to spend some time among some of the local hangouts and experience some Dominican entertainment on the waterfront where the streets were lined with people.
We have just arrived at the home of Ariadna, the women we will be programming with to help do a small chunk of community improvement. She is the equivalent of a Middle Class person from the United States. As of now I have noticed that she demands a lot of respect from everyone, and everyone respects her for what she has been able to do for the Bateys. As far as what we will be doing to help her out is we are helping the community to construct a wall around their community center for security and privacy reasons.
Notice I said we are helping the community to build the wall. One of Arianda´s goals is not to just provide charity for those staying in the Bateys, but rather to get them motivated to do their own things to improved their community. Today our first day on the job we saw this in full force. As the class started out doing all of the work to start it was shortly that the local community hopped it to almost entirely take over all that was being done.
I can´t see what the rest of our stay will hold for us but I´m still excited to have you all along the way to learn about it with me. And I am learning a little Spanish while I am down here so I will try and maybe share some with you as I learn more. Yep yep yep! Adios!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Day before Departure
So here I sit just over 12 hours away from the time when we will be leaving on our adventure to the Dominican Republic. As I sit here there are still many things running through my head. All from what still needs to be done as far as packing as well as still some apprehension about heading into a culture that is entirely different from my own here on Wartburg's campus.
Right now the biggest challenge for me is going to be the language barrier that I will face. Never have taken any spanish previous to a few words I have learned so that I can somewhat function I am feeling just a bit nervous about not being able to fully communicate. Especially since I value my voice and language as one of my valued assets so this ought to be interesting. I'm also worried somewhat about how I will initially respond to the environment I will be in. I believe that our class sessions leading up to our departure have prepared us as well as it could to go into this country, but what I think will happen can be entirely different from what will actually happen. We are going to be entering a country that is facing poverty with not just a lack of money standing in their way of prospering. There are many other factors that come into play making supporting a family seem like fighting a world war of some sort. I could go on to try and explain it to you but then I would be writing a book for you not a blog (as there are books reserved on this topic)
I don't really know entirely what I was just trying to get at, but I hope I was able to help you know how I was feeling about this trip. I also hope you will also enjoy seeing how things develop as I guarantee you I will be fully honest with what my feelings are as I experience them so that maybe you can see through my eyes what is going on in the Dominican Republic.
Right now the biggest challenge for me is going to be the language barrier that I will face. Never have taken any spanish previous to a few words I have learned so that I can somewhat function I am feeling just a bit nervous about not being able to fully communicate. Especially since I value my voice and language as one of my valued assets so this ought to be interesting. I'm also worried somewhat about how I will initially respond to the environment I will be in. I believe that our class sessions leading up to our departure have prepared us as well as it could to go into this country, but what I think will happen can be entirely different from what will actually happen. We are going to be entering a country that is facing poverty with not just a lack of money standing in their way of prospering. There are many other factors that come into play making supporting a family seem like fighting a world war of some sort. I could go on to try and explain it to you but then I would be writing a book for you not a blog (as there are books reserved on this topic)
I don't really know entirely what I was just trying to get at, but I hope I was able to help you know how I was feeling about this trip. I also hope you will also enjoy seeing how things develop as I guarantee you I will be fully honest with what my feelings are as I experience them so that maybe you can see through my eyes what is going on in the Dominican Republic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)