This week, we have been super busy at the
community center with campamentos (camps) for both children and mothers in the
community. I will try to update everyone as much as possible about all that has happened since my last post.
Upon
planning this trip, I knew that I would not be home for my birthday. At first,
I was a little sad that I would not be with family and friends back in the
States. However, I lucked out by having my host family and new friends in the
Dominican to celebrate with. My birthday weekend started July 5th when 30
of the boys from the Accion Callejera (AC) Juvenile Center came to the
community center for a day of fun. They were playing in the pool, shooting
hoops, kicking the soccer ball around, and dominating in dominoes. I saw so
many of my old friends from the times I volunteered at AC during spring
break. I considered it one of the best presents I could have
received. I assumed the kids saw so many volunteers come and go that they
would not remember me, but they did! Many called my name from across the cancha
(court) wanting me to watch them flip into the pool or shoot a basket. It was
such a fun day; many of the boys asked if I was going to visit them at the
Juvenile Center and I said I would try. I have been in the Dominican Republic
for over three weeks and most of my time is spent at the AC community center in
la Yaguita. I would like to see the boys at the Juvenile Center at least one
more time before my stay in the DR comes to a close. After all, if it were not
for them, I would not be back in the DR today.
That
same night, a bunch of AC volunteers went out dancing. We danced the night away
to bachata, reggaeton, and merengue. One of the new friends I made was heading
back to the States after being here for 10 months! She has been with a couple
different organizations in the DR teaching English as well as dance to
children. Earlier that day, she was saying her goodbyes to everyone at the
community center. People joked and kept saying, "No llore" (don't
cry) and she stayed strong and didn't. However, there was a moment when she
walked into the office as I was sitting down at the computer and I saw some
tears in her eyes. I could only imagine how she was feeling; knowing that all
the things that are important to her right now (AC, the children she teaches,
her Dominican friends, host family) are about to undergo a drastic change. By
the end of my trip, I will have only been here a month and I can already
imagine that I will react in a similar way. It is amazing how the places you
go, the people you meet, and the memories you make stay with you as much as
they do. I am getting to the point in this trip where I am reflecting a lot
about my time here and how I will be better for it. However, that Friday night
while we were all dancing, I didn't think about any of this; I was just in the
moment. I almost forgot what day it was as the "Happy Birthday" song
blared across the speakers. I remember saying, "What? How did they
know?" and thinking "This really is a magical place".
**Later,
I found out one of my friends requested the song for me. However, it was
nevertheless magical :)
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