Welcome and History day. first day in constanza!

(Making Up for the Lost Day!)

Today was a very important day! After losing one program day due to the itinerary change, it was a full schedule, but everything came together perfectly.

🌞 7:00 a.m. – We started the morning with breakfast at a hotel in Santiago before hitting the road.

🚌 9:00 a.m. – We departed for Constanza, enjoying the beautiful change in scenery as we made our way into the mountains.

📍 12:00 p.m. – We arrived in Constanza and, just 30 minutes later, sat down for lunch. Our first meal was a classic Dominican dish: rice, beans, meat, and salad—a delicious welcome to our new home for the next few days.

📚 After lunch, we began our orientation seminars:

• Welcome & Accommodations, where we introduced the program, reviewed the schedule, and explained how life at our base house will work.
• Safety & Culture Seminar, where we discussed expectations, program guidelines, and important safety procedures. The students also worked together to create their Group Agreement, setting the values and commitments they want to uphold throughout the program.
• We also completed the day’s educational seminar, helping everyone better understand the purpose of the experiences ahead.

🚶‍♀️ 4:00 p.m. – In the afternoon, we headed out on a city tour of Constanza. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the Dominican Republic. One of the highlights was visiting the local fire station, where firefighters shared what their work is like and answered the students’ thoughtful questions.

🏨 Back at the hotel, we held our one-on-one meetings with each student. These individual conversations help us learn about any allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical needs so we can support everyone throughout the program.

🍽️ After that, we enjoyed dinner and met with our first Leaders del día to prepare them for tomorrow’s responsibilities. Shout outs to Angelo, Annette & Sam!!!

🌙 We wrapped up the evening with our Night Meeting, reflecting on the day, answering questions, and making sure everyone felt ready for what comes next.

Now everyone is back in their rooms getting a good night’s rest because tomorrow is one of the most meaningful days of the entire program: Community Day.

We can’t wait to share it with you. See you tomorrow!