Final Day

Day 7: February 14, 2020

Today was our last full day in the Dominican Republic. Friday fun day! After breakfast, we boarded the bus to head to the Colonial City - Santo Domingo. This is the capital of the DR and home to 3.2 million people. Our first stop was the Cathedral. The Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor was built in the 1550s. It is gothic in style. So much history here! 

Lunch at Pizza Hut! The only restaurant experience all week! 

Shopping! Gifts for friends and family and a few momentos for ourselves too. 

We boarded the bus again for a short drive to Boca Chica Beach. What a perfect afternoon to spend some down-time at the beach! I was the first one in the water - I couldn’t wait! 

We boarded the bus after our beach time to return to Yamasa for our dinner together. There were some tears between the Canadians and Dominicans as we said, “see you next time” instead of “goodbye.” One of the host mom’s made a beautiful cake for dessert! All of the families treat us like gold!

This trip was made even more special by the adults I got to experience it with. 3 of the 5 adults had been here before, but for me, it was all a new experience that has left an imprint on my heart. Jodi and I had a wonderful time as housemates. Lots of laughs! 

These 3 guys also kept me laughing! They all taught me at Bishop Smith when I was a student and it was really neat for me to get to experience this trip with them as colleagues! To Jodi, Mark, Jason, and Cory - you are wonderful educators and leaders - role models for this greenhorn and all the students on this trip. I can’t wait to see all of the amazing photos that Cory has been taking! 

This trip truly has been life-changing. So much personal growth for everyone! It really put life into perspective. I think the real work will come over the next few weeks as we all absorb the events of the last 7 days. Our final retreat in the early Spring will be critical to debrief, consolidate, and plan for the future. I am eager to share our experiences and continue fundraising initiatives so that the good work we have done will keep moving forward in the future and so that new students and educational workers will be inspired to be part of the Dominican Republic Experience.   

Turning Point

Day 6: February 13, 2020

This morning we walked to the Yamasa hospital for a quick tour of the facilities to get a general sense of what the conditions are like there. There are specialists who come from the bigger cities on certain days and today was one of them - lots of people in the waiting area and, in general, a very busy place. I snapped a picture of the laundry facilities (you can see sheets hanging outside on the clothesline) because I know some people who would find this interesting!

We all had an opportunity to do a little shopping in my host family grocery store. Popular items to bring to Canada are vanilla and coffee. We like to give some business to the stores in Yamasa whenever possible. 

There is a provincial election campaign happening right now in the province of Monte Plata. The election is this Sunday. It is very interesting to be here and see the campaigns in action. There was a large parade today. Words could not do it justice to describe the music, motorcycles, flags, etc. Here is a picture of a typical campaign vehicle that drives up and down the street blasting music at decibels  that would make you cringe. Their federal election is happening on May 16.

After lunch with our host families, we boarded a bus and drove a few kilometres out of Yamasa (about 5 min away from San Martin de Porres high school) to a little community called La Cuesta del Jobo. Sister Noelia Hernández had requested us to visit here because she is unsure of what to begin helping them with. We thought this might be a building project to help with in the future. We were NOT prepared for what we were about to discover. I was in absolute disbelief of the poverty here. I am only sharing a few photos because I find in reviewing the pictures, they are quite upsetting to me. The conditions were horrendous! No human being on this earth should have to live like this (hear my anger now as I am making my way through the stages of grief)! At one point Sister Noelia put her arm around me and said that now I know why she didn’t know where to start. 

We are going to get things in motion immediately to prevent diseases and sickness by getting a concrete outhouse built. Our future work will be fundraising to repair some of these houses (all relatives in these homes) and possibly tearing one down and starting again. It is the people that I want to focus on rather than the conditions. They welcomed complete strangers onto their land. They knew we were there to help. This was the turning point of the trip for me. I saw God today in the faces of these people. One 12 year old girl especially looked hauntingly at me, expressionless, holding her one year old sister. Her eyes begging for me to do something, anything. 

There was a man who was mute who gave out pre-packaged cookies to us all that he purchased himself from selling fruit. We accepted them. You have to even though no one wanted to. Christ is present in the poor. 

My wish is that I can continue the sharing when I return home at CWL meetings and school presentations by sharing more pictures and stories of the Dominican people of Yamasa. This was a very emotional afternoon for everyone. I choose to see the light of God in these people. We had a deeply reflective prayer session at the health clinic where Sister Noelia gifted us all with pottery candles. We lit them and had an Easter vigil of sorts. Our day ended with dinner, music and dancing. Before retiring for the evening, Sister Noelia Hernández and Sister Mercedes Ramirez toured the teachers around their brand new house. It is gorgeous! They work incredibly hard for the community of Yamasa! They told us that we always have a place there. Mi casa es su casa (my house is your house). This sentiment is shared by all Dominicans. My Opa used to say that this was the most beautiful phrase in the world. It truly has a new meaning for me. 

Let Your Light Shine

Day 5: February 12, 2020

After breakfast, our host father, Jose, motioned for Jodi and I to put our shoes on and come outside to the backyard. We had no idea they had a little hobby farm back there! They have about 30 chickens (Dominicans eat A LOT of chicken), a large pregnant pig and about 10 rabbits (7 baby bunnies too!).

Our whole group met at 8 am at the Health clinic. We boarded a bus to take us to the Marguerite D’Youville centre (a community college for women). We toured the facilities and then the girls had an opportunity to get their hair braided. Me too!

The young woman who braided my hair had her young daughter with her. I had the opportunity to give her some Canadian swag and entertain her a little bit while her mom was busy braiding.

We boarded the bus again and took a 30 minute drive into the mountains, crossing a mini river on the way!

We arrived at Brigido Nolasco School (sister school of St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Renfrew). This high school is smaller and more rural compared to the other schools that we have visited. Canadian students played volleyball and basketball with the Dominican students before going inside for presentations and lunch.

The true friendship between our two countries and two schools was solidified further today. There were beautiful performances and words spoken by both Dominicans and Canadians at the presentation ceremony. 

After the performances, Mia donated her ukulele to the school. I was so proud of her! The principal was so proud to receive it from her. I’ve already thought about coming back here another time and what I would want to bring or contribute to improve things further in Yamasa. Next time, I won’t bring my personal fiddle, but one that I can play and then donate to a school. Who lights a candle and then hides it? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew, 5:15-16.

The lunch was made with pure love, all outdoors - no kitchen facilities here. So delicious! 

After our traditional evening meal, we took all our host families and Dominican friends out for ice cream to show our appreciation for helping us this week. 

 This is Jocelyn (my host sister) and I having some ice cream. She is so sweet! I muddle my way through with some broken Spanish in our conversations, but we mostly just enjoy each other’s company when we are together. She’s got some serious Dominican dance moves and always lets her light shine!

The past, present, and future

Day 4: February 11, 2020

Today we visited Bishop Smith’s sister high school in Yamasa. Many of our translators who have been helping us, attend here. The red carpet, so to speak, was rolled out for us. We entered the gymnasium, were seated in the front row and treated to wonderful words from the principal and students - much of it in English. They showed us a slideshow of pictures from the last 30 years. It was emotional to see many teachers and students that I personally had connections with. They certainly paved the way for us to be there and we are paving the way for the next 30 years, Godwilling.

There were traditional dances performed for us and lots of singing too. The Canadian students also had a chance to perform a few numbers in return.

 Lots of selfies today! Dominicans love photos so you are constantly being asked to be in one!

We were given a tour of some of the classrooms and were treated to a spectacular lunch (Dominicans are amazing cooks!!). This is a picture of the science lab. We would like to
purchase some equipment for them in the future as there is only one microscope for the class to use.

Following the school visit, we went to Guillen Brothers Pottery Place. We were shown the process to make the pottery and stayed awhile to browse and make our own purchases. They wrapped all the pieces with tender loving care for packing in luggage.

The day concluded with our traditional gathering at 7pm for dinner followed by dancing, music, and Twister (new)!!!

Receiving Love

Day 3: February 10, 2020

As difficult as yesterday was, I didn’t cry. Today, was different for me. I cried today.

We started by touring the health clinic and then visited the high school right beside the health clinic, named after Canadian Sister Susan Daly. My small group toured a class that were learning about nursing. I played my fiddle for them and they were quite impressed! The Canadian girls asked a lot of questions to the Dominican students and vice versa. A few of the Dominican girls sang. After, we all went out into the courtyard area where we were thoroughly entertained by singers and dancers from the school. They are so appreciative of our group coming year after year and supporting their community.

We all went back to our host families for lunch. In the afternoon, we visited a local elementary school. They were completely over-the-moon excited to see us! They had prepared the most beautiful celebration for us! My group visited a grade 2 class. They sang a song for us and we introduced ourselves and vice versa. We all sat in the auditorium where they performed songs, dances, and plays that were of of the best quality that we have ever seen! Their joy, gratitude and appreciation for the Canadians brought me to tears. Yesterday, we were so focused on giving love to others (which comes naturally to me) that today I was completely overwhelmed by receiving it (this is more challenging for me). We are on the receiving end of immense gratitude from 30 years of groups before us that have provided monetary support to the people of Yamasa. Receiving that love was overwhelming for me, hence the strong emotions I felt. (Thank you to Mark for explaining that to me and saving me the money on a therapist.) The joy for life that the Dominicans have is something that cannot be put into words. It needs to be experienced. They do so much with what little they have. 

Our day always ends with a community gathering of dinner, dancing and music.