Day 5 – Sustainable Development

Que lo que family and friends of the JA2A delegation!

Our names are Kristian and Bobbi and we were the leaders for today, day 5 of our wonderful trip! Today we woke up at Piergiorgio, the palace hotel, at the bright and early time of 7 am. We ventured out into the outdoor dining area which displayed several hispanic songs including Spanish rock music as we enjoyed meals such as pancakes, fresh fruits, eggs, cheese, and ham. After we completed eating we started out on our long journey back to La Salle.

On the way back, we made a short stop to view several small souvenir shops to help support to local communities. We were able to purchase things such as scarves, jewelry, clothes, and other trinkets to be able to keep as memories as well as share with our families back at home. After that, we made another pit stop to purchase snacks and drinks before we continued back to the accommodation. While on the bus ride, multiple games were played including mafia, a counting game which had rules to replace which numbers to say, and contact.

When we returned home, we enjoyed a meal cooked by the accommodations chefs including yellow rice, chicken, salad, and yuca fries. After we finished, we had to move quickly as to continue our adventures outside. The first place which we visited was offices of Plan Yaque (their turf) to learn about what our Community Action Project (CAP) would be. We learned about the environment of the Dominican Republic, the lakes it has, the Cuencas (basins), and their overall mission. After that we ventured towards the first school of the day, seeing the environment we would be in on our later CAP days, beginning to plan what we could do to help with educating the community and working towards Plan Yague’s goal of a clean environment and purified water sources.

After we finished up with sharing ideas, we moved onto another school, Escuela de sordos mudos. We met a teacher who works with deaf and mute students and got to learn things such as the Spanish sign language alphabet and a few basic phrases. We got to see their library as well as their classroom, learning that it only hosted eight students from ages 4 to 15. We thanked her greatly in sign language and moved on to go back to the accommodation.

When we returned, we had a more American style dinner containing hot dogs, french fries, salad, rice, and various sides. When we wrapped up dinner, we hosted both our nightly meeting as well as a seminar to discuss factors of our CAP. During the meeting, we were able to pass the torch of leadership towards Kiran and Jordynn to guide us through the schedule of the next day. For their talents, Kiran threw a frisbee, knocking a cup off of the top of Dylan’s head while Jordynn shared a magnificent art piece which she had been working on throughout the span of the trip.

Despite the unexpected changes towards our original schedule, today was still amazing and insightful towards the community, culture, and service which we plan to achieve.

– Bobbi Williams & Fil Kristian Babanto

Bobbi Williams’ Message

To my family, friends, and Chop Chop, I love and miss you all very much! Even if it may be scary as my first time outside of the country, I am very glad to have received this experience and to be able to take this journey with all of the new people I have met and friends I have made. I can’t wait to come back with all of the stories of what has taken place and to share the lives and memories of those we have heard from to help share the amount of experience I have received. This trip has felt both so long and much too short to be only ten days but I know that I will be returning home more knowledgeable and openminded towards what the world may contain. Hopefully I get some peace before I have to go back to work (band camp) and endure treacherous conditions (also band camp).

Love, Bobbi Williams.

Fil Kristian’s Message

To my mother, sister, and brothers. I love you guys and I want to notify you that I am alive and well. This trip has been an amazing journey and I have learned so much. Thank you, mom, for allowing me to go on this trip despite your worries about my safety. I have been able to kindle new friendships and experience new foods, culture, and broaden my knowledge and leadership skills throughout the trip. I can’t wait to come back to all of you guys when the trip is over, but be rest assured that I am fully okay and doing great on this adventure! One last time, love you guys! I’ll see y’all soon. 🙂

From yours truly, Kristian.