DR!!!

Looking back over the past few weeks, it still amazes me how quickly this trip has snuck up on me. Usually I start counting down the seconds until I leave home for a trip the minute I find out I'm going; but with school, collecting donations, and all the other obligations we all have I kept thinking of the DR trip as being in the far away future. Ever since last Friday when we packed all the donations, however, (I can't BELIEVE we have so much stuff, by the way) leaving for the DR has been on my mind.
Right now, with 2 days left to go, I can't wait to begin the trip. I'm excited for the obvious reasons: I've never been out of the country before and the DR is sure to be absolutely beautiful, as well as because the opportunity to help people living in a completely different culture is something I've never had before.
I hope to gain a new perspective on priorities and what's important. I'm expecting a bit of a culture shock, but I hope that I can appreciate how the villagers and people we will meet can live on so much less than what we have on a daily basis. Basically, I hope and expect that this trip will help me open my eyes to the rest of the world.

-Shyloe

The Trip

I can't begin to explain how excited I am for this trip. This first week of spring break I have been visiting colleges and the whole time I've had this trip on my mind. Last Friday when we were sorting donations I was surprised as to how much our Moses Brown community contributed to the trip and I want to thank them all for doing so. In just a couple of days we will be leaving for this trip. I believe this will be a great experience for all of us not just in the medical field but I am certain we will learn alot from just the lives we will be seeing. I am excited to converse with the people of the bates in Spanish. I am hoping that my Spanish will help me better communicate with the people. I am hoping that when we all return from this trip we are more than satisfied with the experience and wishing to return.

Getting Excited for the Trip?!

In 2007, I went on this service trip under the leadership of Katey Parker and Lindy Nash, unsure of what to expect and what to do. The trip turned into an experience that changed my life as well as the other students' lives. I wish that everyone had the experience that we will have, learning more about themselves as we travel to the bateys and about the completely different culture that we encounter. Each batey, we see different people, but no matter who you are helping, their smiles capture their appreciation for what we are doing for them. Two years ago, I learned from the children in the bateys that materialism, which is extremely prevelent in America's society, is unimportant, but what is important is to have dreams, to have your family, friends, and community, and to live life with as much happiness as possible.
I am excited to return to the Dominican Republic to experience everything again, as well as all the new experiences that await us upon arrival. I am excited to share this opportunity with a new group of students, all of whom are just as excited and enthusiastic about this trip.
As I just returned home from Phoenix, I am ready once again to be in a warmer climate.
We only have three more days until our arrival to Logan airport at 4:00 am on Sunday morning to embark on our trip. I know that is what I am most looking forward to... It's between that and seeing the smiling faces of the children as we pull into the bateys.

Marcela D.

Expectations for the Trip

It is my pleasure to join this trip in 2009. I went to the DR in 2007, an experience which changed my life. The outlook and perspective one gathers from an experience like this can only be considered life-changing. When you look into a child's eyes that is living in relative poverty but is still quite happy, you get a sense that the the trivial things we get upset about in the United States aren't really that important in retrospect. It has shown me what is truly important; family, friends, community. I can't wait to help a new group of Bateys in a week and experience this trip with a new, eager group that is ready to work. It will be an amazing experience for us all and I can hardly wait for next week.

-Liam Miner

Gathering/organizing all donations

On Friday, March 13 the group -- still at MB-- gathered together all donations and organized them. As you can see, the collection drive was very successful. Thanks to all that contributed to the effort!!

Packing List

Have you forgotten what to pack? Lost the list? Here is a reminder...-G
DR Packing List- 09

Each student will bring his or her own carry-on up to 40lbs. They will also bring 2 50lb bags. One 50lb bag will be full of donations. The other 50lb bag will be composed of 20lb of donations and 30lbs of the student’s stuff.
(American allows two 50lb bags to be checked as luggage, one 40lb carry-on bag and a small personal item purse etc for international flights. )

Clothes:
You will be given two sets of scrubs to wear during the day. These can be washed out and worn again.
Light long sleeved clothes, conservative
Hat
Bathing suit
Comfortable, closed toe shoes (sneakers)
Socks
Sandals or flip flops
Light rain jacket
Underwear

Toiletries
Avoid heavily perfumed products.
Super strength insect repellent, at least 50% deet
Sun block
Handi-wipes/ antiseptic lotion
Bandaids
Large towel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Over the counter and prescription medications
Glasses/sunglasses

Other
Easily portable, wrapped snacks (ie powerbars)
Flashlight
Portable alarm clock w/ batteries
Woolite
pens

2 Weeks Before We Leave

It is another snowy day here in New England and hard to believe that in 13 days we will be in the Dominican Republic, making new friends, offering ourselves in service, and bringing all we have collected.

As we prepare to leave I invite all the students to share a reflection on why you wanted to go on this trip? What are you looking forward to? How has the experience of gathering donations gone?