Dominican Republic Trip 2016

Friday was a day of both goodbyes and new experiences, a very rich one. We saw two our final two schools which were very different from each other. We awoke early and skipped breakfast to be at the Colegio Piaget o Juan Bosch, a private school in the center of Cotui which served children from pre-K to grade 12. We arrived in time for the opening ceremony, held in the large outdoor courtyard. We were introduced by the Head of the school, who stood on a balcony overlooking the students, lined up by grade. They sang the national anthem as the flag was raised, and then a staff member read a verse from the Bible. We then joined a Montessori-style preschool class, taught by the Head of the preschool, a friend of Rita's. We sat on the floor for the morning opening rituals, which included passing a candle from one person to the next, saying "Paz" (Peace). I had the opportunity to pass the candle to a wide-eyed four-eyar old, who was not used to having a large, gregarious Americano sitting next to her. All good. We then visited several other classrooms. In a ninth-grade English class, Molly Ryan O'Flaherty had the chance to read the lesson from the blackboard. The view of Cotui from the fourth floor of the large, modern building was a wonderful vista.

We returned to the hotel, had a late breakfast, and then packed and moved out of our rooms. Many in the group then took a stroll through Cotui. Harris LaRock bought some sweet sunglasses for 12 pesos. Some of us stayed in the small dining room (open-air on several sides, with constant rooster noise from next door punctuating meals) and played cards. We had lunch, and left our wonderful Hostal Maria Yoban.

Our final school visit was to La Vid Verdadera (The True Vine, for those of you know the Book of John). It's a school for children from families at risk, a wonderful non-profit where yet another friend of Rita's is the teacher for the oldest students. We were ushered into a packed, sweltering assembly room where more than 200 elementary children were sitting in rows of chair. Balloons were adorning the low ceiling. They had obviously expected us. After introductions (at every school, each one of us gave our name and our town) a wonderfully poised 12th grader presented Rita with a gift basket. We then began the main purpose of our visit, and gave out toothbrushes and tooth paste to every child. We are so grateful for the support of the Upper Valley dentists who donated these, and also hundreds of flouride treatments, which our Nurse Mary Miner demonstrated for the staff members.

We finally left Cotui and headed south to Piedra Blanca, where we stopped by the side of a busy highway to look at (and purchase in several instances) colorful handmade rugs which are a well-known local specialty. Then it was onto the main highway (RD1) for a speedy trip to Santiago in time for supper at the now-familiar SANA B&B. We said goodbye to our wonderful driver Glenn and beloved guide Luis with a special gift of a rug in Dominican flag colors. After supper and a spectacular sunset, perhaps enhanced by smoke from nearly fires in the mountains (agricultural, we thought), we had a brief awards ceremony. Each student received a paper plate celebrating his/her gifts, with a few jokes thrown in. The students then surprised us with some well-prepared words of appreciation for each adult.

Saturday we are off to a local shopping center for a last chance to stimulate the economy, and then to the airport for our flight to New York. This has been an extraordinary experience, and we cannot fully process it now. We know that we have changed this little spot in some small ways for the better, and in turn have been changed. The students have been remarkable all week for their flexibility, maturity, courage and kindness. All of the adults have felt this, and so to have the many local folks with who they have been in contact. We're ready for our re-entry and looking forward to our reunion next month at the Strohbehn home Surprise, Kris and Judi! Thank you for your support and prayers. Adios!

We got going a bit earlier than usual on Thursday. It was going to be our last day at Escuela El Hato, and we had lots to accomplish. We made a short stop in Cotui at the shop manufacturing the large storage cabinet for the learning center, and learned that it would be delivered that morning. Perfect! One more quick stop at a hardware store to procure some necessary supplies, and then it was off to the countryside on our now-familiar route, dodging motorbikes every kilometer of the way.

We arrived at school shortly after 9:00, finding the children all back in their classrooms, engaged in a normal routine. While several of our crew got busy finishing the "hands" banner, and cleaning the library, Peter Huizenga and Caroline Rodi took charge of a crew preparing to hand out the beautiful new backpacks, one to every child. We slipped into each classroom and got each child to write his/her name on a slip of paper, and then brought the names back to the bus, where Peter and Caroline carefully wrote the name on a backpack. Then the delivery crew brought the backpacks (filled with school supplies, toothpaste and brush and a washcloth) to the classrooms, one grade at a time. This children caught on quickly what was happening. Some were thrilled right away, and some were a bit overwhelmed. But soon there were broad smiles everywhere. While this was going on, the cabinet was delivered right on time and installed. The library infrastructure was complete. The banner was hung by Wilhelmine and crew. Soon it was lunchtime, and while all of the Hanover students left by bus for a special picnic lunch, Terry, Penelope and Beth stayed behind to do the final decorating of the room. It was going to be ready in time for the big afternoon dedication.

The bus took the students and the rest of the adults to the small resort near the reservoir we had visited two days earlier. We had the place to ourselves, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch catered by the hotel. Then, having been told to bring bathing suits, the students had the chance to swim in the hillside swimming pool at the resort. It was a nice respite after a hot morning.

Caroline Rodi's turn to write:

"After a nice restful lunch we headed back to the school where Penelope, Tracy, and Beth had all stayed to help finish the book corner. When we got back we were welcomed by the kids, as usual, and were herded into the classroom with the library. Quickly we unwrapped the puzzle piece foam carpet and set it up, and after 5 minutes we all took a breath, stood up, and looked around in awe of what we had accomplished. Just that morning it looked like it had when we had first arrived on Monday, the only exception being the freshly repainted walls. Now it was totally transformed! The books lined a large bookshelf, and colorful posters hung from a line strung across the ceiling. Art was everywhere. Kids would peek through the windows to try and see the finished project, but were shooed away.

Once it was completely finished and school was over, we gathered as a community in a circle just outside the room; parents, students, teachers, grandparents, siblings. Los americanos mustered together enough good singers to perform a nice sounding version of "Imagine" by John Lennon. And we thanked each other for the week we had together. Then came the big reveal. Everyone lined up at the door, and small groups of ten of so people got to go in for three minutes at a time. The kids didn't say much as they entered; just smiled as they tentatively sat down on the mat; taking in their new surroundings. As groups came and went in the room our group and the kids said our long drawn out goodbyes. "No no no don't cry or I'll cry. Don't be sad." One girl said over and over. Despite that, there were more giggles than tears as little kids poked at the boys but pretended they didn't, and hair was braided, and goodbye notes were written. The best part for me, (Caroline), was that when we came together for the closing circle every kid was proudly wearing their new backpack. And when asked who got a backpack, all the students raised their hands, with smiles spread across their faces."

Rob writing again:

Slowly students left school for home, some accompanied by delighted parents. Most of our group and a dozen or so schoolchildren decided to walk the path to Anna Maria's house one final time. We strolled slowly past grazing cattle, taking in the beauty of the proximate hills and the lush growth.

We dallied at Anna Maria's with friends and neighbors, enjoying some fruit and giving all of the kids (our and theirs) to play a final few games. Then it was time to board to bus and say "goodbye" to the village for a final time. Many of us hope to be back, but it was nevertheless bittersweet.

We got home at dark, changed for a night one the town, and enjoyed a special pizza dinner on the roof of the hotel under the stars and moon. Cotui twinkled below on a warm night. We said a special goodbye to one of our favorite translators and friends, and then boarded the bus. The students were delighted to discover that our destination was a disco and karaoke bar. We had the place to ourselves, ordered drinks, and soon nearly everyone took the mike and tried their hand at karaoke. Several of our students have undeniable musical talent! Then the DJ turned on the dance music, and before the night was over everyone (yes, every single student!) was dancing. It was nearly midnight when we finally settled down for the night. Tomorrow we leave Cotui, and begin the process of heading home.

It would be a challenge in this space to try and process all that we have accomplished, and all that we have learned, and how much we have changed. There will be time for that later. But there is no doubt that this has been a transforming experience. We have made many new friends, discovered new things about ourselves and our small planet, and in many ways have made a difference. Not bad for a week of April vacation, given in service to others.