Friday 2/28

Friday Fun day!  Today the group took a rest and enjoyed a day of sun and sand.  We had 17 people go to Catalina Island and 4 go to an all inclusive resort to spend the day.  The catalina island trip involved taking a 30 minute boat ride out to the island off the coast of La Romana (east of Juan Dolio on the coast if you are following our travels).  We were able to do a little snorkeling before making our way over to the beach (there are many details about our boat trip which are quite interesting- just ask for the full story!).  We did some latin dancing, enjoyed the beach and sun and a big buffet lunch.  Some of the girls hired a boat to take them out on the big banana (see photos below!).  While we were all passed out like a bunch of worn out children on the bus ride home, we all came together for a night out at the resort across the street.  It was a great ending to a great trip. 

Thanks for following our blog, we will be joining you all in the snow tomorrow (unless we all decide to defect and stay here a little longer!).  

                                           Yes, we are!  (The sign on Catalina Island)

                                           "Sr. Emily", Lisa, and Maria get a dance lesson

                                            Sydney, Kaylee, "Baby Emily", Lauren, & Rachel

                                               Our fabulous group!

                                               Holly, Rose, Kimberly, Brea & Tamisha
                                                                             
Cait, Meredith (the RN working with us this week) and Rich (our SCORE group representative this week)

                                              We don't want to leave this beautiful place!

Thursday 2/27

Happy Independence Day!   Today marked the Independence of the Dominican Republic in 1924 after many years of occupations from  Spain, United Kingdom, France, Columbia, Haiti, and the United States.  

Today was our last clinic day, and many students felt it was one of the best yet...it definitely had the best accommodations!  We spent the day in Monte Cristi, at a nursing home operated by Pastor Geraldo and his wife Maria.  They opened up their home for elderly from Haiti who came to the DR as children to work the sugarcane plantations and now have no connection to family.  There are about 38 residents who appreciated our love.  The students spent half of their day tending to the needs of the elderly and half their day operating a clinic out of the church for the members of the community.  All together, we saw almost 100 people!  Definitely one of the most rewarding clinics thus far.

Tonight we took a little time to reflect on our days and what we all have learned about ourselves, our profession, and our communities.  We will take away many memories of love and service which will never be forgotten.  Tomorrow we will take a little time to relax and appreciate the sunny, warm 88 degree weather for one more day :-)

Also, a shout out to Brea's dad- Happy Birthday!!!  (We bought you a cake....we ate it all....it was delicious!)

                                            Our clinic in the church

                                            Jenny & Christy teach Sydney how to take a blood pressure

                                             Sharon "Sparker" organizing the masses

                                              One of the many loving children

                                             Lauren & Kaylee with Pastor Geraldo and a resident

                                                        "Baby" Emily and her new friend

                                                     Jenny, Rose, Wil & Christy with the village kids

More pictures from Wednesday

                                                       Brea and her new friend

                                                Kaylee and Lauren playing hand games

                                                    Saundra and her newly sponsored girl, Cindy

  The chocolate artisan with his 8 month old cocoa plant at the chocolate museum in Santo Domingo 

 A little bus stop between Santo Domingo and Juan Dolio

         Rachel and Sam give rides to the girls

                    Kimberly, Tamisha and Rose refresh their memories on how to play jacks

Pictures from 2/25

                                          Our clinic site

                                               Sydney helps the little ones listen to heart sounds

                                                       Lisa and babino

                                            Cait in her element

                                               Sam and a hungry little guy

                                                  Wil taking a blood pressure

                                                      A future missionary

                                          Part of our group with the village

                                                     Donkey :-)

Wednesday 2/26

Today started off with a trip to the capital, Santo Domingo, for a little culture and lunch.  We all visited the straw market (and some the chicken market, but that's another story) where we enjoyed purchasing the jewelry with the island's famous stone, Laramar, and winding our way through the stalls full of trinkets and souvenirs.  After lunch, we visited the "Pasitos de Jesus" girl's home in Boca Chica.  This is another one of SCORE's properties that helps provide shelter, education, clothes and love to girls who's family has passed away or were abusive.  There are close to 60 girls between 1-19 years who are afforded a loving, caring community because of people's sponsorship.   Our group enjoyed playing games, singing, and getting our fingernails painted by the girls (yes, even Wil!). We had a great day!

                                            Our group at Pasitos de Jesus

                                                          Brea and the little diva

                           CNAP Seniors Maria, Emily, Kimberly, Wil, Holly & Rose

                                                   Singing

                                               Duck Duck Goose!

Tuesday 2/25

Today was another great day, and didn't even need to share our clinic space with the chickens!  We set up a clinic in El Melino and were able to see lots of children and babies, which made me and Lisa (and many of the students) extremely happy :)  We were able to see about 80 people and enjoyed learning a little more about ourselves.  This afternoon we took a side trip to Lilly house, a respite and education center for women who used to have to turn to prostitution to support their families.  With support from SCORE, these women have job training to sell baked goods, crafts and a full service salon (30 minute massage is only $15!).  In addition to Lilly house, SCORE hosted a support night were we were able to buy crafts made by the missionaries to support mission work and the ladies at the Lilly house.  We also learned about Emanuel house, where people sponsor children who are unable to attend school because they are too poor or don't have a birth certificate. It works off of a couple volunteer teachers who contribute their time and a very small salary (~$100 per month in good times) because they care so deeply about taking care of these kids.  It was very touching to me and many others to see all the great ways that SCORE is empowering people to make positive changes that will last much longer than our time here. 

Pictures to come-Internet was too slow tonight to load!

Monday, 2/24

Today was an eye opening experience for a lot of us as we set up our clinic at the literal end of the road.  When we pulled up, we had nothing but a 14 x 14 pole barn next to the pigs.  It was transformed into a functional clinic with a triage station, 4 RN exam stations, and our pharmacy which operated out of the cargo truck.  We were able to see 32 people (all the people in the village), who all blessed us with a humbleness that will never be forgotten.  Enjoy the pictures!

                                             Our "Clinic"

                                            Maria

                                                   Jr. Emily, Tamisha, and one of our Interpreters

                                             Dr. Dennis, Christy, Sandra, Holly & one of our interpreters collaborating

                                                   Dominican Boys

                                                 Sugar Cane, the island's largest export

                                            "Sr. Emily", NP Lisa, and Sharon