Students are doing well in Charlotte! Estimated time of arrival is 11:22 pm at Wilmington airport!

And they’re off! Flight leaves in a few hours, so they’ll have plenty of time for DREAM staff goodbyes, check in, and can get comfy in the airport for a bit. Once they land in Charlotte they’ll focus on going through Customs and Immigration before we hear more! 

Students are enjoying their breakfast this morning, taking in the final breakfast ocean views as they prepare to head home. There’s much to do this morning as students are packing and helping organize all the things that need to happen for the whole group before departure. Soon students will take a break from all of that to simply be in the present and soak it all in during their Meeting for Worship. We will update through the day with travel info!

We’ve had a day of fun in the sun and relaxation (with sunscreen of course)! This morning we woke up (some ran and did Pilates) and had breakfast before heading to Sosua to visit La Playa Caleton and La Play Grande. We played in the ocean, bought some souvenirs, had hair braided, and relaxed in the sand. Travelers enjoyed pizza for dinner and we are about to start a serious card tournament in thirty minutes. We’re excited to come home tomorrow but sad to leave this wonderful place.  tea time at Playa Grande 

Coco loco at Playa Grande

Watching kite surfers

Beautiful Playa Caleton

Rooftop sunset

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Good morning! We’re enjoying breakfast before our last workday at La Cienaga. Last night we had a family-style dinner at the beautiful oceanfront restaurant, Velero. Students journaled about how they’ve grown so far this week or how their eyes have been opened to new things. Below are some exerts. Enjoy!

Other quotes:

“People are more like themselves here.”

“Now I know about how some of these kids find happiness in poverty not just that they do.”

“Be grateful for what you have.”

“Last year I was shocked by differences and as time passed the sharpness of that feeling kind of dulled but it came back this year when I saw the living conditions.”

“I’ve become more compassionate and open-minded.”

“When I compare classrooms to Wilmington it makes me feel very happy to know that I’m living a very privileged life.”

“I feel the way I’ve changed is that my heart has gotten bigger. I have more love from helping others.”

“I feel so comfortable and at home with the Dominican people.”

And we’re ready to get back to work at La Cienaga. Breakfast is being digested and bags are packed for a hike in El Choco National Park after lunch. Students were excited to read posts from parents, thanks for those! We’ll check in soon!

We’ve completed another adventurous day in the Dominican! Travelers are currently playing cards tournaments (rummy, spades, UNO, and stress) after an ocean-side dinner at WAVE.

This morning we returned to La Cienaga and continued gardening, painting, and teaching ESL. Students taught and sang the alphabet song with Young Star students. Lucas coincidentally wore a shirt with the whole alphabet on it and we used this as a visual aid. Afterwards, we enjoyed a tour of La Rugama Ecological Village and lunch n a tree house made of fresh fruit and vegetables grown at the plantation. Students saw a crocodile, boa constrictor, and some guinea pigs. We had some time to unwind and swim in the afternoon before heading to dinner. Trip leaders have been consistently impressed with the cohesiveness and positivity of the group.

If you’re reading these, don’t be shy! Students love hearing messages from their family and we love to know you’re checking out what they’re up to!

More stress! The card game, not the emotion!

Petting the snake

Our pal at La Rugama

Pre-dinner group photo in front of our apartment

Spades in action

Stress (card game) championship!

UNO center!

Susan teaches the in’s and out’s of gin rummy

Waiting on lunch at La Rugama

Dining in a treehouse!

Outside at the plantation

Panoramic view!

Teaching the alphabet to Young Star students

Playing with kites after arts and crafts.

Kenan becomes the teacher!

Kite time!

Que lo que con que lo que on the bus while waiting to get off at La Rugama (the bus was NOT in motion 😉 )