Day of Service - Gabi Fream

Today opened my eyes to a new perspective on the real life of a majority of the Dominican people. Being within the fences of the resort closes you off from the reality of the country. I realized that money really can’t buy you happiness and no matter what you have, give thanks. I never understood how powerful happiness was until walking inside the home of Jaqueline and getting a glimpse of life in the Dominican Republic. We had an amazing time learning how to dance the merengue (National Dance of Dominican Republic) and even though it was miserably hot, we still had a great time because we have created our own community with each other this week. These people don’t have much, but it is enough in their eyes it is just enough. Dominicans radiate joy and content and I have become so much more appreciative of not only my material items, but what truly makes me happy. 

Submitted by Gabi Fream

Day of Service - Ivy Warnell

Today I was able to really get an understanding of what life is like for regular Dominicans living in the villages. Walking through the area and seeing the people was very eye opening for me. I noticed how different life is for these people, and even though they don’t have much material items, they are a very close knit community that take everything that they do have for granted. I had a great time interacting with the people and learning to dance. I also really enjoyed delivering the school supplies and getting to see the children and those running the schools get excited about the things that we gave to them.

Submitted by Ivy Warnell

Day of Service - Danny Cayelli

Today we picked up trash in a nearby village called Domingo Maiz. We saw many of our day campers while we were picking up trash there. One thing that I noticed while in Domingo Maiz was that even though that the people there had nothing they were still very happy because they are very close with their neighbors and other members in their community. At lunch we all received an opportunity to learn and attempt to dance the merengue (Dominican National Dance). It was quite daunting at first until Wellinton broke it down into simple steps. After he did that, I was able to pick up the dance quickly and am ready for the dancing on Monday night at the Giudicelli’s house. After that we delivered school supplies to two schools. When they received the school supplies, they were very grateful and they said some words of thanks to us that will go a long way with the connection between the schools and the program.

Submitted by Danny Cayelli

The Tie-Dye T-Shirt

The tie-dye T-shirt has come to represent so much in the Punta Cana area, and for the Virginia 

4-H/Dominican Delegation. It was initially utilized as a craft the second year of the program, using a design done by a local artist, and has been continued ever since. No two tie-dye shirts are just alike, just like us. The shirts represent a special two days in participants’ lives, and an unforgettable eight days for those of us who have been blessed to join this program.

Carol and I played with numbers in our head and came up with

these figures:

1) We’ve had an average of fifty campers per year, so including this year that’s about 1200-plus kids; 

2) Each camper, and teen leader, average ten per year, has dyed a shirt, a total of approximately 1320 shirts; 

3) These shirts are likely shared by families and even neighborhoods, say 30 per cent share rate… That is about 1600 (conservative) people wearing these shirts!  

These shirts have even been seen in Higuey, the eastern regional capital. That exposure is nice to have, and shows the ripple effect of this program.

  

Our 4-H group provides transportation and scholarships campers to come to Day Camp from a poor village, or neighborhood, if you will, called Domingo Maiz in the town of Veron, just outside of the resort area. Welinton de la Rosa has two community leaders choose who is privileged to come.  This year, 24 were chosen out of 48 kids, based on their leadership and willingness to help out in their village.  They must abide by the rules--one did not, and was not allowed to come back the second day.  

While visiting Domingo Maiz for our service project and lunch after Day Camp, the kids from Camp saw us in our tie-dye shirts, and ran back home to put theirs on.  Welinton told us that for them, owning a tie-dye 4-H Camp shirt shows the other kids “I was able to go.  Do you want to go next year?  Then, be a leader like me.” That honor and privilege, for children, or anyone in this village, is something they can claim is theirs, even if they don't have much else. And to see that truly warms our hearts. 

Submitted by Rory Nansel, Chaperon

4-H Day Camp - Chase Smith

Today was very rewarding, as all other days have been this week. The day picked right back up where it left of yesterday. All of the children were thrilled to spend another day at camp, rushing in to get their tie-dye shirts they had designed yesterday, then they returned outside to play with other campers and all of the teens. After taking our massive group picture, of 93 people (64 campers, 24 teens, and 5 adults), we split up and toured the iguana zoo and petting zoo/ranch with Miguel while the other group painted their picture frames to hold their group photo we print for them.

                

During the tours, I got the pleasure of talking with Miguel again. Since the beginning, Miguel has always taken notice to my liking in the animals, especially the iguanas, and he is happy to answer all of my questions and is proud of what he does and has done for the foundation in the last “12 years and 8 months”. Over the years, my Spanish speaking skills have increased a touch, while his English has improved, making it much easier for us communicate. He explained that due to past issues regarding tourists in the iguana habitat, they have stopped tourists from entering, they must only view through the fence. However, Miguel invited me into the habitat to get some really good pictures.  

   

 

After lunch, the kids quickly changed into their bathing suits, knowing that the beach trip is next. I hung back with Carol to bag up all of the crafts for the campers and put pictures in the frames. After the group returned they gathered their things and then said, not “goodbye”, but “see you next year!” Many of the campers were asking us if we will be returning next year.

          

Before I go onto my final thoughts, I must share a special note to the day camp. I have participating in this phenomenal trip since the ninth grade and this makes my 8^th trip. I have seen multiple campers grow from year to year right in front of my eyes. I saw a camper that I had not seen in a while, Edwin. If anyone has read our previous blogs, they may know that Edwin shares a special place in my heart, he has stuck to me since the first year I met him. He knew me by name as soon as he saw me and, I must say, his English is improving greatly! We shared many special moments together this year and it was very difficult to see him leave today! I even showed him a picture that I had taken the first day I met him and he was even amazed of how young he was.

               

In conclusion, I want to congratulate all of the hard working teens and adults that made this camp a great success. This has been the biggest group yet and I must say, it was one of the smoothest due to the dedication that each of you have! I loved to see the bond between each of you and your campers and hope that this has made a change in your way of thinking about our life versus theirs. To sum up the day, I will use one word that was used multiple times during the nightly meeting tonight when describing the typical Dominican culture and interactions between all of us, “Happiness.”  

Submitted by Chase Smith, Chaperon

4-H Day Camp - Derek Bowlin

It’s amazing to me how young kids can be influenced so much by such a small gesture. I feel like if something like this camp were to happen to me I would not appreciate it as much as these kids do. Not only that but I mean I’m a guy and even though I don’t express my feelings often these kids make me grateful for what I have and even a little jealous I’m not like them.

Submitted by Derek Bowlin

4-H Day Camp - Rachael Bowlin

Today overall was an amazing experience. I am still getting used to this whole speaking Spanish  thing, but today was a huge help. One of the kids helped translate things for me so I could have some conversations with the kids. I got really close with some of the kids, and the one that helped me translate even gave me his email so he could teach me Spanish. It was amazing to see how open and welcoming these kids are to everyone. It was such a great day and so great to be with the kids and see how much of an impact, us and and this camp are making  on them.

Submitted by Rachael Bowlin