Thanks to all of those who donated to the aqueduct! I've already received half the funds here in my account in country, and am told the rest of the money will be deposited this week! We will be up and working in June!
Also planned for this summer is the termination of the stove project (probably we will build another 40 before July), continuation of the filter project (hopefully 100+ filters!), and a book project at the local school. I've ordered 60 pounds of childrens books internationally; lets hope they make it here soon! Finally I've promised kids 8-12 in the community that we will start a kids club (basically arts and crafts and games 2x/week) which we will start over the summer.
Top this all off with applying to grad schools (I'm looking at dual programs for masters in public health/masters of social work) and looking for jobs!
Moral of the story: I'll be plenty busy this summer (but will still fit in a 10 day vacation to the states and a week long visit here with some vandy friends!)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The aqueduct fundraising has been such a success. In one week we have raised $1,200! Only 400 dollars remain to be raised. Awesome.
In other news, my chicken gave birth to 9 chicks! 4 black chicks and 5 yellow chicks. I have only named 3 so far (because they are hard to tell apart), who are: Geraldine, Black Sabbath and Goldie Hawn. I will raise the chicks to lay eggs/be eaten.
Last weekend, with many other volunteers, I hitchhiked the north coast of the Dominincan Republic (Santiago to Samana) we covered over 250 miles in 8 hours. It was a blast and we met many cool people, dominicans and americans alike.
I am currently also raising money/collecting book donations for our local school library. The school created a small library this past year in an unused closet, but unfortunately we have no books! Just some outdated history books (and dictionaries thanks to the congo church!). So, I have started collecting books in spanish for ages 5-18. I am looking for picture books and chapter books. I hope to have some workshops over the summer for teachers to learn reading strategies. Then, in September I hope to start a "Reading is Cool!" campaign in the school to motivate kids to use our new books! If you happen to have any books in Spanish lying around, save them for me when vacation in the US this august!
In other news, my chicken gave birth to 9 chicks! 4 black chicks and 5 yellow chicks. I have only named 3 so far (because they are hard to tell apart), who are: Geraldine, Black Sabbath and Goldie Hawn. I will raise the chicks to lay eggs/be eaten.
Last weekend, with many other volunteers, I hitchhiked the north coast of the Dominincan Republic (Santiago to Samana) we covered over 250 miles in 8 hours. It was a blast and we met many cool people, dominicans and americans alike.
I am currently also raising money/collecting book donations for our local school library. The school created a small library this past year in an unused closet, but unfortunately we have no books! Just some outdated history books (and dictionaries thanks to the congo church!). So, I have started collecting books in spanish for ages 5-18. I am looking for picture books and chapter books. I hope to have some workshops over the summer for teachers to learn reading strategies. Then, in September I hope to start a "Reading is Cool!" campaign in the school to motivate kids to use our new books! If you happen to have any books in Spanish lying around, save them for me when vacation in the US this august!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
I can sum up the past week in 1 word: INCREDIBLE!
My parents arrived last Wednesday to sunny skies and a flight 30 mins early. After the initial transportation deluge (taxi, bus, SUV), we got back to Guayabo and had a delicious dinner made by yours truly; pesto rigatoni with shrimp and a caprese salad (don’t forget the white wine!). Clearly not a common dinner for me, but definitely worth it. We made the introductions with the host family and got to bed early.
The next day we visited the school in the morning, stopping to take pictures for the Dartmouth Congo Church (they had donated dictionaries to the school!). We then stopped for coffee and juice at many neighbors’ homes. Of course, the water in Guayabo had gone out (which is why we need a new aqueduct!) so I spent some time cleaning the dishes from the night before in a bucket of reserve water. My parents then unloaded their stash of goodies which ranged from mentos and necco wafers to vitamins, sunglasses and lots of clothes! They had also brought lots of gifts for my host family which included soap, sheets and makeup! Rafelito did a fashion show with us, showing off all his new clothes too.
Later in the day my parents unloaded gifts sent with them from Vanderbilt ASB! Lots of starburst, silly bands and cards. The kids piled up outside my door, awaiting their gifts, and spent most of the afternoon writing cards to send back to Vandy with my parents. ASB had also sent a jenga set, and my father helped teach the kids how to play.
At night, we went to the chicken shack! I found three motorcycles in the community and we plopped mom and dad on the back of some motors and started off. What an adventure! Lots of delicious chicken and beer were consumed by all. My host family showed up at the shack, completely surprising us! It was great! We had a table of 10 by the end of the night.
Friday was more of the same; taking walks around my community, meeting neighbors and eating lots of food. Guayabo was so excited about mom and dad—we had so many visitors to the casita!
Saturday we headed to the hotel in Puerto Plata (north coast beach area). After a truck ride down the mountain and a bus to Santiago, we were on our way! We arrived at the Hotel Casa Colonial around 3pm. Absolutely GORGEOUS. The rest of the weekend can be characterized by pools, beach, food and alcohol. It was an wonderful stay with delicious food, great company and beautiful weather! Rafelito couldn’t have been more awe-struck by the hotel, but by day two he was already knew the routine!
My time with my parents was an awesome respite, body and soul. I feel rejuvenated and ready to finish these 6 months that remain!
My parents arrived last Wednesday to sunny skies and a flight 30 mins early. After the initial transportation deluge (taxi, bus, SUV), we got back to Guayabo and had a delicious dinner made by yours truly; pesto rigatoni with shrimp and a caprese salad (don’t forget the white wine!). Clearly not a common dinner for me, but definitely worth it. We made the introductions with the host family and got to bed early.
The next day we visited the school in the morning, stopping to take pictures for the Dartmouth Congo Church (they had donated dictionaries to the school!). We then stopped for coffee and juice at many neighbors’ homes. Of course, the water in Guayabo had gone out (which is why we need a new aqueduct!) so I spent some time cleaning the dishes from the night before in a bucket of reserve water. My parents then unloaded their stash of goodies which ranged from mentos and necco wafers to vitamins, sunglasses and lots of clothes! They had also brought lots of gifts for my host family which included soap, sheets and makeup! Rafelito did a fashion show with us, showing off all his new clothes too.
Later in the day my parents unloaded gifts sent with them from Vanderbilt ASB! Lots of starburst, silly bands and cards. The kids piled up outside my door, awaiting their gifts, and spent most of the afternoon writing cards to send back to Vandy with my parents. ASB had also sent a jenga set, and my father helped teach the kids how to play.
At night, we went to the chicken shack! I found three motorcycles in the community and we plopped mom and dad on the back of some motors and started off. What an adventure! Lots of delicious chicken and beer were consumed by all. My host family showed up at the shack, completely surprising us! It was great! We had a table of 10 by the end of the night.
Friday was more of the same; taking walks around my community, meeting neighbors and eating lots of food. Guayabo was so excited about mom and dad—we had so many visitors to the casita!
Saturday we headed to the hotel in Puerto Plata (north coast beach area). After a truck ride down the mountain and a bus to Santiago, we were on our way! We arrived at the Hotel Casa Colonial around 3pm. Absolutely GORGEOUS. The rest of the weekend can be characterized by pools, beach, food and alcohol. It was an wonderful stay with delicious food, great company and beautiful weather! Rafelito couldn’t have been more awe-struck by the hotel, but by day two he was already knew the routine!
My time with my parents was an awesome respite, body and soul. I feel rejuvenated and ready to finish these 6 months that remain!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
This past week flew by as I hosted Vanderbilt ASB from March 5th-12th! They were an absolutely amazing, upbeat, flexible group that helped my community so much!
The breakdown of the week:
ASB (comprised of 9 spanish-speaking students) arrived on Saturday at the Santiago Airport where I picked them up and brought them back to my site (by taxi, bus and truck). We stopped at the chicken shack for some roasted chicken takeout. Then, unpacking and an early night.
Sunday we traveled to Jobo to visit the school, stop at the colmado for food and visit the school director. We had a tour of the school and a chat with the director about the week’s activities. Then, back to my community for lunch, construction of my stove chimneys (a really HUGE help) and dominoes with community members!
Monday we headed to the school early where we worked in classrooms (English class, art, math). We also spent an entire morning organizing and revamping the school’s library. ASB also generously donated basketballs and volleyballs to the school that they had brought from the states! In the afternoon, the Americans attended my youth sex-ed class and ran a wonderful game called “Wah!”. A huge hit (played by many Dominican youth later in the week).
Tuesday ASB bought $150 of paint to paint the basketball court of the school (that didn’t have any markings). It looked awesome with red, blue and white paint (coincidentally the Dominican and American flag colors).
Wednesday some of the volunteers headed with my masons, Rafelito and Gilberto, to build a stove. The others painted the local community center—its amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a building!
Thursday was the last day of the school; we gave a lecture about discrimination and stereotypes and then celebrated Ash Wednesday with the students. We ended the morning with a ASB/Student dance on the basketball court. Lots of bachata and merengue dancing! In the afternoon we built some more chimneys. Finally, to celebrate the ending of the week, we had a “gingebre” (ginger tea community celebration) at night along with typical Dominican dancing. We had teachers, students and community members attend). The dancing went until 11pm and the night ended with many tears and goodbyes of the young kids and volunteers.
Friday we left El Guayabo early for Santiago, checked into a hotel and left our stuff to head to 27 Waterfalls! We arrived at the waterfalls around 1pm, so too late to do all 27. However, 12 waterfalls were plenty for us. Lots of laughs and memories from the day. Back to Santiago for dinner at the mall food court (what could be better than Pizza Hut after a long day?).
Saturday- early goodbyes and a wonderful gift of ASB money so the school can buy a printer!
What a week! While I didn’t have a minute free, it was definitely worth it. The kids absolutely loved the volunteers and the volunteers have motivated me to try to work more in the school!
The breakdown of the week:
ASB (comprised of 9 spanish-speaking students) arrived on Saturday at the Santiago Airport where I picked them up and brought them back to my site (by taxi, bus and truck). We stopped at the chicken shack for some roasted chicken takeout. Then, unpacking and an early night.
Sunday we traveled to Jobo to visit the school, stop at the colmado for food and visit the school director. We had a tour of the school and a chat with the director about the week’s activities. Then, back to my community for lunch, construction of my stove chimneys (a really HUGE help) and dominoes with community members!
Monday we headed to the school early where we worked in classrooms (English class, art, math). We also spent an entire morning organizing and revamping the school’s library. ASB also generously donated basketballs and volleyballs to the school that they had brought from the states! In the afternoon, the Americans attended my youth sex-ed class and ran a wonderful game called “Wah!”. A huge hit (played by many Dominican youth later in the week).
Tuesday ASB bought $150 of paint to paint the basketball court of the school (that didn’t have any markings). It looked awesome with red, blue and white paint (coincidentally the Dominican and American flag colors).
Wednesday some of the volunteers headed with my masons, Rafelito and Gilberto, to build a stove. The others painted the local community center—its amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a building!
Thursday was the last day of the school; we gave a lecture about discrimination and stereotypes and then celebrated Ash Wednesday with the students. We ended the morning with a ASB/Student dance on the basketball court. Lots of bachata and merengue dancing! In the afternoon we built some more chimneys. Finally, to celebrate the ending of the week, we had a “gingebre” (ginger tea community celebration) at night along with typical Dominican dancing. We had teachers, students and community members attend). The dancing went until 11pm and the night ended with many tears and goodbyes of the young kids and volunteers.
Friday we left El Guayabo early for Santiago, checked into a hotel and left our stuff to head to 27 Waterfalls! We arrived at the waterfalls around 1pm, so too late to do all 27. However, 12 waterfalls were plenty for us. Lots of laughs and memories from the day. Back to Santiago for dinner at the mall food court (what could be better than Pizza Hut after a long day?).
Saturday- early goodbyes and a wonderful gift of ASB money so the school can buy a printer!
What a week! While I didn’t have a minute free, it was definitely worth it. The kids absolutely loved the volunteers and the volunteers have motivated me to try to work more in the school!
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